JACKSON, Wyo. — The second annual Snake River Fest will take place May 31 through June 3 with a number of events in Jackson Hole, hosted by the Snake River Fund and Jackson Hole Kayak Club.
The Snake River and its headwater tributaries are an indispensable resource to Jackson Hole and the neighboring communities. Teton County’s 400+ miles of Wild & Scenic Rivers attract people from around the globe for their scenery, fishery, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
Both Snake River Fund and Jackson Hole Kayak Club have a rich history with the river, including educational initiatives, conservation work and stewardship campaigns that have helped preserve and protect one of the nation’s most pristine waterways.
“The Upper Snake River watershed contains not only the riverbed, but mountains, forests, and valleys; people, places and wildlife,” Snake River Fund Programs and Events Director Joe Smith said. “These connections should be cherished and celebrated. That’s what Snake River Fest is all about.”
Events include the Wild Rivers Film Tour, Wyoming Whitewater Championships, Greys River Boater X and the Festival Village at Astoria Park Conservancy. Workshops and soaking reservations at Festival Village on Saturday, June 3 are expected to sell out, so it is advised to make reservations.
Wednesday, May 31
6 p.m., Center for the Arts
Join Snake River Fund, Greater Yellowstone Coalition and American Rivers at Center for the Arts for an amazing night of short films and conversation. Wild Rivers Film Tour is a collection of short films that celebrate the wild rivers of the West. The evening will benefit water resource projects on the Wind River Reservation.
Thursday, June 1
Freestyle Kayak and Surf Competition
3 p.m., Lunch Counter/King’s Wave – TBD based on river flows
Kayakers and surfers are encouraged to compete in this one-of-a-kind jam session. Kayakers will be judged in a familiar rodeo format; surfers will be judged as people’s choice.
Friday, June 2
Wyoming Whitewater Championship Races
5 p.m., the Gilcrease Cabin on the Hoback River (11555 S Highway 191)
Join us for a downriver race on the iconic, Wild and Scenic designated Hoback River. This is a class II/III section of whitewater. All crafts and all ages are allowed to participate.
Party on the Hoback
8 p.m., the Gilcrease Cabin on the Hoback River (11555 S Highway 191)
Hot food, cold beer and on-site camping. Live music by local band Hot Pocket followed by a late-night DJ set.
Saturday, June 3
12 p.m., Greys River, Forest Road 10138, Lincoln County
Paddle head to head against the region’s best paddlers on the area’s hardest rapid, Snaggletooth. Expert kayakers only. The event includes a separate junior category.
Festival Village
2 p.m., Astoria Park Conservancy
Bring your PFD and your dancing shoes for a whole day of river-related celebrations. Workshops include kayak roll instruction in the hot spring, fly tying, on-water inflatable kayaking, and more. Have a soak in the hot pools, shop from a variety of river-related vendors and learn about conservation efforts from local non-profit partners.
Food trucks, cold beer, kids’ activities and live music by Marmot Ate My Boots, Jalan Crossland, and Banshee Tree. To maximize parking space, please plan to carpool or take a shuttle. As always, drink responsibly.
Community members are invited to get involved. Businesses, organizations or individuals who are interested in aligning themselves with the stewardship and recreational missions of the hosting organizations are invited to register to host a booth at Festival Village. Volunteers are welcomed each day of the event, and are sure to get some nice perks – sign up now to be on the volunteer team!
All Snake River Fest details including tickets, competition registration, volunteer sign-ups, Festival Village vendor registration and more can be found at www.snakeriverfest.com. Snake River Fest would not be possible without the support of key sponsors such as Astoria Park Conservancy, Kate’s Real Food, Westbank Anglers, Stio, Dave Hansen Whitewater, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board.
