Races

How fast are you? Find out by competing in the SUP/Kayak Combined Races. Earn points based on your results in the Boarder/Boater Cross (Saturday), Downriver SUP/Kayak Race (Sunday) and TJ Slalom Citizen Slalom & SUP Race (Sunday). Top three overall finishers in Men and Women’s SUP are awarded free entry into the Payette River Games (a $150 value).

This year the Whitewater Sprint Triathlon is on Saturday. The Triathlon includes an 8.2 mile ride from Riverside Park in Kernville to Wofford Heights and back, a two-mile run from Riverside Park to the Powerhouse Put-in, and finally a two-mile paddle-as-fast-as-you-can run back to the park.

Taking advantage of Riverside Park's new sidewalks is a Children's Sidewalk Art Contest.  Free to all children under 18 years and chalk is provided.

Back this year is the wildly popular Hooligan Build Your Own Boat & Crazy Craft Parade. The parade is as much fun to watch as it is to participate! We invite folks to build your own Hooligan boat out of non-boat materials OR costume themselves and their rafts, kayaks, IKs or SUPs or Tube!

Base camp for all events is Riverside Park in downtown Kernville. There is sure to be plenty to keep you entertained as you hang-out on the banks of the mighty Kern. All events have easy access for boaters and spectators and are free to view.

Please see the Kern River Festival Map for more information.

Entertainment

Kern River Brewing Company Beer Garden &Wine Bar; and Dinner catered by James Store's Sierra Smoker; and awards Saturday immediately following the Hooligan Race. The Festival Silent Auction will be on Saturday, and Raffle on Sunday.

Everyone is invited to come to the Festival and be a part of this long-running whitewater tradition! There is no charge to view any of the events. Sponsor and vendor booths will be setup in Riverside Park throughout the event. Come check out all the latest boats, paddling and outdoor gear!

Registration

New Online Registration!  The Kern River Festival now offers online registration - save $5.00 if you Register Online before April 16th!  And there's more!  Sign your ACA waiver online too.  Avoid all the paperwork, do it all online this year!