Middletown is giving the Great Miami River a starring role this Saturday with a new event that combines a two-hour kayak float, live music, food and local beer. Rafts & Crafts will bring paddlers and spectators together at the AK Pavilion for an afternoon built around the city’s riverside setting.
Kayaks First, Festival Second
According to the City of Middletown, the event begins with a scenic kayak float at 10 a.m., ending at the AK Pavilion in Bicentennial Commons. Middletown Adventure Co. will offer rentals, while people bringing their own boats can get help transporting them to the launch point.
Shuttles from the Butler County Regional Transit Authority are scheduled to leave the pavilion at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the launch area, giving participants more than one chance to get on the water, as outlined by Travel Butler County.
Live Music, Food And Local Beer At The Pavilion
The riverside gathering will run through 2 p.m., with Sam Dearie scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and Hat Trick taking over from noon to 2 p.m. The city’s event announcement also lists local beer, food and craft vendors.
New Ales Brewing and Gravel Road Brewing Company are expected to provide the beer, while Chef Jeff’s Woodfired Pizza and Irie Smoothie Cafe are among the food vendors listed for the event. Other participating vendors include 2 Generations Jams, Jellies & Preserves and Renewal by Andersen, according to the city’s post.
A Riverside Event Built Around Local Partnerships
Rafts & Crafts is being organized through a partnership involving the city, MetroParks of Butler County, Downtown Middletown Inc. and Middletown Adventure Co. The collaboration is intended to showcase local waterways while giving residents a reason to linger at the pavilion after the paddling is done, according to the city’s event page.
People who would rather keep both feet on dry land can still attend the festival portion for music, food and vendors. The event is also inside Middletown’s designated outdoor refreshment area, with organizers encouraging visitors to continue into downtown afterward.
