Join us for the 5th Annual Kishwaukee Paddlefest at Rockford Lithuanian Park, just south of Rockford IL! As always, Kish Paddlefest will be held the last Saturday in July, and this year that date falls on July 27. Details below and on our FB event page here

This event started in 2015 and was Bobbwca's brainchild...he simply asked One Match if he'd play at a paddling event at Rockford Lithuanian Park, and it went from there. It's a great family (and dog) friendly event and a fun place for paddling-minded folks to meet.


Live Music, Paddling, Food, Drinks, and Fun! A beautiful serene setting along the shores of the historic Kishwaukee River.

Admission: $5 at the gate

MUSIC
Listen to live music under the canopy of one of the most beautiful grove of Bur Oak trees you'll ever see. Bring camp chairs!

Your Local Radar (12:00-1:00)
Your Local Radar, is comprised of 3 music fanatics with very unique backgrounds, giving their original music the perfect blend of funk, blues, rock and power. Their songs explode with groove and energy to get your hips moving. Although the band itself is young, their music transcends the times.

Jerry Vandiver and Lacie Carpenter (1:30-3:30)
Direct from Nashville! Legendary singer-songwriter Jerry Vandiver will be performing his paddlesongs and some of his hits, joined by Lacie Carpenter on vocals and fiddle. Jerry has hit songs on over 15 million albums sold!

Swingbilly RFD (4:00-5:30)
This Rockford-based group recreates the sound of vintage honky-tonk and Western swing from the 40’s and 50’s. Once they start playing, your feet will start tapping and you’ll need to fight the urge to get up and dance! But don’t fight it, just get up and move!

Band of the Lost (6:00-7:30)
BOTL is a local Rockford band that has been providing entertainment for the Rockford-area masses for 3 years! Expect an eclectic mix of classic rock favorites with some unexpected twists!

PADDLING
Free shuttles (courtesy of Rockfown Adventures) from the event to Baumann Park in Cherry Valley will be provided for those who bring their own watercraft. It’s about a 2 hour paddle from Baumann to the event. Shuttles will leave Lithuanian Park for Baumann at 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. Shuttles (and rentals) are strictly first come – first served, so arrive early!
Kayak and canoe rentals will be available. $25 for kayak, $40 for canoe, shuttle included. PRIOR PADDLING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR RENTALS! The Kish is a small river but can be tricky in spots. We don’t want folks getting into trouble out there. Rentals are limited and are on a first come – first served basis.

DRINKS - Leinenkugel Canoe Paddler, Summer Shandy, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Pepsi and Coke products.

FOOD - Cheeseburger, Hamburger, and Pulled Pork baskets.

CAMPING
Primitive Camping available. $5.00 per person.
No electric or hookups available.

Ok If we come on Friday. Got some fish I need to fry.

See ya there!

See you all there!

George how is the recovery going? Hope well! Tony I will be there Friday as well and can give you a hand cooking and consuming that fish!

Hmm, I might be able to make this.... Busy weekend, but maaaaaaaybe.

blutofish1: " Ok If we come on Friday. Got some fish I need to fry. "

pretty sure no one is gonna complain about that, Tony!

OneMatch: "See ya there!
"

Jerry, I'm assuming you meant to say "y'all"!

Flatlandpaddler: "See you all there!


George how is the recovery going? Hope well! Tony I will be there Friday as well and can give you a hand cooking and consuming that fish!"

Frank, recovery going well with a hopefully minor hiccup...blew some internal sutures. Planning on a mid-September BWCA trip with my kids, tho...they might have to be my pack mules!

George that's great news and isn't that what kids are for! My boys have been taught it's there mission in life, lol

Bump

Nice article in the Smart Living Weekly.

Kishwaukee Paddlefest

QuietWaters: "Nice article in the Smart Living Weekly.


Kishwaukee Paddlefest "

Great article. Thanks for posting this!

A couple things in there are incorrect and we didn't have time to fix, but it's good coverage nonetheless. Those magazines are everywhere in the Northern IL area. Hopefully it'll bring more folks in, we're hoping that the 5th Annual will be the best attended so far!

OneMatch: "

QuietWaters: "Nice article in the Smart Living Weekly.



Kishwaukee Paddlefest "

Great article. Thanks for posting this!
"

Count me in. Looking to finally meet some of you in person.
AdamX

Looking forward to our paddle on Tuesday as well Adam.

Ok - I’m definitely doing this. If my crazy girlfriend doesn’t kill me first. She is coming so be prepared. Just kidding, she’s awesome.
So this is at the same place the wing fest was at, then we get a shuttle for a paddle back. Wow, that sounds so cool. Be looking for scat and his crazy cool chick. We will be ready to rock. Pretty excited about this.
What is the address again. Gotta google it man.

I recon I should go.

To the top

I was really hoping to make it to this, it sounds like a lot of fun. But my daughter is flying home for a few days, so that definitely takes priority! We will do some canoeing while she is here, but it will be in our area.

How many people will be there Friday night ? Need to know how much fish to bring.

1 for fish here

MAY be able to make it out there on Saturday. It's my wife's birthday weekend, so I need to tread lightly with this one. :)

Sure would bee good to get out,do some paddling, and meet a few folks though...

I plan to be there Saturday and look forward to hearing OneMatch live for the first time.
I'm torn on which adult son to bring with me. Both are nonverbal autistic. Joe loves music but doesn't like canoeing. Jonnie loves canoeing (and paddling backwards to make a bigger splash).

Pretty excited about this. Should be a great time. See ya all there. Can’t wait!

According to my notes the river is at a similar level to last year which made for nice paddling conditions.

Last year I had Kishwaukee River at Perryville 511 cfs 6.02 ft.

As of now the gage is reading 722 cfs 6.36 ft.

Kishwaukee Gage

Weather is looking pretty good too.

I am looking forward to paddling the river tomorrow.

A big shout out to BobBWCA, Bonvicken, and everyone else who helped put this on. Great job. Very organized and everyone was having a good time.

Anyone who was there manage to snap any pics?

bfurlow: "Anyone who was there manage to snap any pics? "

I took a few...

Thanks to Bob and all those who put on this event. It was a great day to be on the water. Food and live music at the take out makes it that much better.

Awesome event. Thanks Bob, Carol, George, Jerry and everyone else who made it possible.