Powerboat Nationals Celebrates 24 Consectutive Years on the Kankakee River
activities, boats, kankakee rive, nationals, powerboat, recreation, sports,
Powerboat racing is a deep-seated tradition in the Kankakee River Valley.
“People have been racing on the Kankakee River over 80 years‚ and we’re in our 24th consecutive year of hosting the Powerboat National Championships‚” says Joe Walz‚ event chairman.
That’s no small feat‚ considering Kankakee bids for the opportunity to host the national championships along with larger cities like Nashville and San Diego. It draws more than 125 competing boats and 30‚000 spectators.
“For such a small community to have such a big event and pull it off is so incredible‚” Walz says.
Held over Labor Day weekend in September‚ the Powerboat Nationals on the Kankakee River – formerly the Kankakee River Valley Regatta – attracts boats from as far as Mexico and Canada and awards more than $50‚000 in prize money. It’s a family-friendly event‚ with food vendors‚ a petting zoo‚ inflatable attractions and climbing walls.
“We always have a Blues Night Saturday night‚ and we had Lonnie Brooks last year‚” Walz says.
“This year‚ we’re having a Hispanic Culture Day on Sunday and bringing in mariachi bands.”
The event kicks off Friday night‚ when people come down to the river to see the boats and meet the drivers. The actual racing takes place Saturday‚ Sunday and Monday.
“Some people have been coming to this event 20 years‚” Walz says. “They rent tents and barbecue.
You’ll see them pick their spot on Friday and stay there all weekend long. It’s rewarding to see so many people volunteer at the event and give back to the community.”
Story by Jessica Mozo
