Ohio River Paddlefest Celebrates 25 Years

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The Ohio River Paddlefest, organized by Adventure Crew, will mark its 25th anniversary on August 1, 2026. The event features a 9-mile and 4.5-mile paddling route on the Ohio River, as well as an Outdoors for All Expo with over 70 exhibitors, live music, food, and beer. Proceeds from the event support Adventure Crew's outdoor programming for teens in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Why it matters

The Ohio River Paddlefest has become a beloved annual tradition that brings the community together to celebrate outdoor recreation and raise funds for an important youth organization. As the event reaches its silver anniversary, it highlights the enduring appeal of the Ohio River as a recreational asset and Adventure Crew's commitment to providing accessible outdoor experiences.

The details

The Paddlefest event features two paddling routes - a 9-mile route that ends at the Gilday Recreation Complex in Riverside, and a 4.5-mile route that concludes at the Public Landing. Both routes begin at the Schmidt Recreation Complex in the East End. In addition to the paddling events, the Outdoors for All Expo on July 31 will feature over 70 exhibitors, live music performances, demonstrations, raffles, food trucks, and beer sales.

• The Ohio River Paddlefest will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
• The Outdoors for All Expo, part of the Paddlefest weekend, will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 from 4 to 9:30 p.m.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Registration for the 2026 Ohio River Paddlefest is now open on the event website.