The acronym "FIBArk" stands for First in Boating in the Arkansas River - originally devised by a group of community members in the 1930's, many of them real estate agents, to draw attention to Salida and give an opportunity for local boaters to demonstrate their paddling skills.

Flash forward to today ... FIBArk is America's longest standing whitewater festival and in recent years, the FIBArk festival has drawn as many as 30,000 people to our small town of Salida, Colorado.

Through partnerships with generous local businesses, passionate individuals, and the City of Salida, FIBArk funds classes and equipment for both river safety and skill building.

The program is designed to introduce river concepts and experiences, teach skills and techniques, facilitate experiences and competitions, and develop lifelong river and river sport advocates.

Schedule of Events

June 12, 2024

5:00 PM: FIBArk Kickoff Party at RIverside Park & 2 Drinks (per ticket).
An evening of Music by 2024 Commodore Paul Byars Band, Bites from Salida Catering
Live Auction and FIBArk 2024 Sneak Peak.
Cost: $20

June 13, 2024

4:00 PM: First Pour with Commodore Byars at Riverside Park
5:00 PM: Kids Zone Opens at Riverside Park
5:00 PM: Riverside Park and Rides Open
5:00 PM: Tenderfoot Hill Climb Registration Opens & Packet pick-up at Sackett & F St.
5:30 PM: MUSIC: Big Horn at Riverside Park Stage
6:00 PM: Tenderfoot Hill Climb Race at F Street & Sackett
6:30 PM: Raft Rodeo at Boat Ramp Playhole
8:00 PM: Raft Rodeo Results at Announcer's Table
8:00 PM: Kids Zone Closes at Riverside Park
8:00 PM: MUSIC: Roundhouse Assembly & Friends at Riverside Park Stage
9:00 PM: Rides Close
10:00 PM: Riverside Park Close

June 14, 2024

11:00 AM: Colorado Cup & Freestyle Preliminaries at Boat Ramp Playhole
11:00 AM: Surf Contest at Salida Whitewater Park
11:00 AM: Riverside Park Open
11:00-2PM: Basketball free-throw Tournament at Sackett Ave & E St.
Noon: Salida's Kids Got Talent at Riverside Park
Noon: Rides Open
Noon: Kids Zone Opens at Riverside Park
Noon: 3pm: ColeTrain Music Pop Up at Kids Zone, Riverside Park
2:00 PM: Head to Head Raft Sprint at Salida Whitewater Park
3:15 PM: MUSIC: Drunken Hearts at Riverside Park Stage
4:00 PM: Head to Head SUP Cross at Salida Whitewater Park
4:00 PM: Head to Head Raft Sprint Awards at FIBArk Boathouse Deck
4:30 PM: Basketball free-throw Finals at Sackett Ave & E St.
5:30 PM: MUSIC: The Burroughs at Riverside Park Stage
6:00 PM: SUP Boxing at Salida Whitewater Park
6:00 PM: Head to Head Sup Cross Awards at Steamplant Pavillon
8:00 PM: Kids Zone Closes at Riverside Park
8:00 PM: MUSIC: HeartByrne at Riverside Park Stage
9:00 PM: Rides Close
10:00 PM: Riverside Park and Rides Close

June 15, 2024

7:00 AM: Pancake Breakfast at Salida Community Center
8:00 AM: 10K Road Race at Thonhoff Park
8:05 AM: 5K Road Race at Thonhoff Park
8:30 AM: Kids Fun Race at Thonhoff Park and Road Race Awards at Thornhoff Park
9:00 AM: Slalom Race Preliminaries at Salida Whitewater Park
9:00 AM: Donut Pop up By Rosies Donuts at Boat Ramp
10:00 AM: Parade on F Street
11:00 AM: Riverside Park and Rides Open
11:00 AM: Running Races at Steamplant Pavillion
11:00 AM - 2PM: Basketball free-throw Tournament at Sackett Ave & E St.
11:15 AM: Vintage Folding Kayak Demonstration at Salida Whitewater Park
11:30 AM: Kids Creek Craft Launch at Monarch Spur Trail Creek next to Boat Ramp
Noon: Salida's Got Talent at Riverside Park Stage
Noon: Kids Zone Opens at Riverside Park
Noon: Head to Head Slalom Boater Cross at Salida Whitewater Park
Noon: 3pm: ColeTrain Music Pop Up, Kids Zone at Riverside Park
2:00 PM: Slalom Race Finals at Salida Whitewater Park
2:45 PM: Colorado Cup & Freestyle Finals at Boat Ramp Playhole
3:15 PM: MUSIC: Cycles at Riverside Park Stage
4:30 PM: 4Basketball free-throw Finals at Sackett Ave & E St.
5:30 PM: Colorado Cup & Freestyle Awards at LOCATION TBD
5:30 PM: Hooligan Race at Salida Whitewater Park
6:00 PM: MUSIC: Sad Hands at Riverside Park Stage
8:00 PM: Kids Zone Closes at Riverside Park
8:00 PM: MUSIC: The Texas Gentlemen at Riverside Park Stage
10:00 PM: Riverside Park and Rides Close

June 16, 2024

8:00 AM: Trail Run Start, S Mtn at Meet at Cabose Parking Lot
8:30 AM: Down River Race (Marathon-26 mile) Kayak start at RMOC to Salida
8:45 AM: Down River Race (Marathon-26 mile) OC start at RMOC to Salida
9:00 AM: Down River Race (Marathon-26 mile) Raft start at RMOC to Salida
9:00 AM: FIBike - Mtn Bike Race at S Mtn
10:00 AM: Riverside Park and Carnival Opens
10:00 AM: FIBArk Bar pop up featuring Boozy Brunch Drinks
10:00 AM: Down River Intermediate Race (10 mile) Kayak and Canoe start at Stonebridge to Salida
10:00 AM: Running Races Awards at Steamplant Pavillion
10:00 AM: Kids Zone Opens, Riverside Park at Riverside Park
10:15 AM: Down River Intermediate Race (10 mile) SUP Race at Stonebridge to Salida
11:00 AM: Down River Heavy Half Race (13 mile) all start at Hecla to Salida
11:00 AM: FREE Yoga, Riverside Park - All levels, bring your own mat
Noon: 3pm: ColeTrain Music Pop Up at Kids Zone, Riverside Park
12:30 PM: MUSIC David Lawrence and the Spoonful at Riverside Park Stage
1:00 PM: Down River Novice Race (1 mile) at Marvin Park to Salida
1:00 PM: Bike Race Awards at Steamplant Pavillion
1:30 PM: Crazy River Dog at Salida Whitewater Park
2:45 PM: MUSIC: B-Side Players at Riverside Park Stage
3:00 PM: Down River Awards at Steamplant Pavilion
4:00 PM: Kids Zone Closes at Riverside Park
4:00 PM: Riverside Park & Rides Close

Date: June 14-16, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Salida, CO 81201.

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