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This year's festival is proudly
brought to you by Amica's Pizza

COUNTDOWn to the festival

2022 marks the 74th 

anniversary of FIBArk, the nation's oldest whitewater festival and Salida's signature event. Since 1949, every June during the Spring snow runoff, Salida has hosted FIBArk, "First in Boating on the Arkansas."

BROUghT TO YOU BY
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Thank you to our Top Tier Sponsors
We LOVE Our Community Sponsors

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MUST-SEE EVENTS

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HOOLIGAN RACE

Calling this a whitewater paddling event may be generous, but saying it is one of the most fun events of FIBArk would be right on. The Hooligan Race is open to anything that floats that’s not a boat. Hooligans dress up in costume and the winner is usually not just the fastest but often one of the few left standing, or, floating. This spectacle of “controlled chaos” is a local tradition that always produces a huge turnout. Don’t miss it!

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DOWNRIVER 
RACE

FIBArk’s signature event, the Classic Downriver Race is the longest, oldest, most prestigious and perhaps the toughest race in North America. The Downriver Race is truly an athletic marvel and continues to be one of the most respected (maybe even feared) whitewater races. 

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Colorado SUP Championships

During FIBArk weekend we will crown the overall top Man and Woman in the emerging sport of river stand up paddling. Stand Up Paddling or SUP originated in the coastal regions but for the last 7-8 years SUP has taken over the whitewater scene.

LIVE MUSIC

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heart of the rockies rampage

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downtown bowl bash

Downtown Bowl Bash followed by an after-party at The 146 Taphouse.  Get excited watching a preview of visiting pros and masters skate the iconic downtown Salida Skatepark in anticipation of the inaugural Skate Competition at Centennial Park!  This will be an open skate demo. After party to follow with live music at The 146 Taphouse.

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skate competition

Heart of the Rockies Rampage sponsored by World Cup Skateboarding, Friends of Salida Skateparks, City of Salida, and FIBArk.  This world class skateboarding competition will begin with groms and end with visiting pros from around the world competing for a purse prize.  Categories also include amateurs, women's, and master's divisions.

WATCH THE ACTION

A FIBArk History

FIRST IN BOATING THE ARKANSAS

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The FIBArk boat races started June 19, 1949 when six boats entered the Arkansas River in Salida on their treacherous 57 mile run to Canon City through the vertical cliffs of the Royal Gorge Canyon. Fueled by the spring snow pack runoff from the mountains of the Continental Divide and 5 or 6 feet above normal level, the river water ripped down the canyon creating tremendous currents and boiling rapids where the valley walls narrow and the river floor drops.

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