There's still snow in the mountains and flows have been great all spring as boaters from across Washington state gear up to host the Wenatchee River Festival on one of the region's premiere whitewater rivers. Boaters from across the Pacific Northwest will all converge on the town of Cashmere this weekend for a great weekend of fun and activities on the water.

Friday evening starts out with the AW stewardship roundtable at 6 pm. This will be an opportunity for local paddlers to come learn what AW's up to and how you can protect your favorite paddling spots and enhance opportunities to enjoy them. At 8 pm we will screen Oil & Water, Seth Warren and Tyler Bradt's film that follows their 16,000 mile journey down the Pan-American Highway. Along the way they cross two continents, sixteen countries and paddle innumerable rivers driving a truck powered with bio-diesel fuel.

Throughout the weekend boaters will have access to camping at the fairgrounds (a new site), free shuttles, and a choice of competitions, clinics, or just running the river. Saturday competitions will include a downriver race for all craft (rafts, kayaks, and canoes) and a freestyle rodeo. Our sponsors including all the region's retail shops will have booths at our marketplace in the park in Cashmere and it's your chance to check out all the new gear. Food will be available at the Riverside Center all day starting with free pancake and sausage breakfast provided by Robert Virostek from Kayak Attack.

We will cap off Saturday evening with a great party including food and drink at the Riverside Center in Cashmere. All AW members who attend will have an opportunity to square off with Woody from Liquid Logic for a game of rock, paper, scissors and an opportunity to win a new kayak. Our sponsors have kicked down a generous package of great gear and services including boats from Dagger, Wavesport, Jackson, Liquidlogic & Bliss-Stick that will be raffled and auctioned that evening.

Clinics will take place on Sunday and be taught by the region's top instructors.

So come out and join the fun. For more details go to the Wenatchee Festival website.