Paddle Party Raises Money For New Etowah River Boat Launch

The Coosa River Basin Initiative on Sunday will host a party to raise money for their efforts to create a water trail along the Etowah River and a new boat launch near Kingston.

The Pig Paddle & Party will include a six mile paddle along the Etowah River, a barbecue dinner from Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse in Euharlee, beer from Anheuser Busch Brewery in Cartersville, wine and a kayak raffle courtesy of Cedar Creek Park and CRBI. 

The dinner will be held at the home of Rome residents Todd and Dale Carroll, which overlooks the river. 

The paddle trip begins at 2 p.m. followed by the barbecue dinner and canoe raffle. The six-mile trip is suitable for beginners and takes in a beautiful section of the river that includes Native American fish weirs and rock islands and bluffs at Reynolds Bend. 

Funds generated at the event will support the 160-mile Etowah River Water Trail and construction of a new boat launch on the Etowah River at U.S. 411 near Kingston.

CRBI, in partnership with Bartow County, expects to break ground on the river access point later this summer. 

The facility will include a parking area and boat ramp and will serve as a critical link in the Etowah River Water Trail. Currently, there are no developed public access points between Euharlee and Rome, which covers a distance of 27 miles. 

Tickets are $75 per person or $130 per couple. Tickets include canoe/kayak rental and shuttle services, a year’s membership in CRBI, dinner, drinks and a raffle ticket to win the Cedar Creek Park kayak. 

Tickets may be purchased at www.coosa.org. The RSVP deadline is Thursday, May 15. For more information, contact Shira Kerce at 706-232-2724 or via e-mail at skerce@coosa.org.