Canoe race is back in 2019!

There were a few tense moments in the planning process for this year’s 53rd River Raisin Annual Canoe and Kayak Race. With the construction of the new River Raisin Park at the site of the traditional finish line, organizers feared that it might not be possible to hold the race as planned on the third Sunday of May.

But assurances from Village Manager Jeff Wallace, saying that the village would indeed make sure the race could go on as scheduled, alleviated those concerns. “There will be a 53rd annual race, and it will be consecutive!” said Kiwanian Sybil Kolon, who is coordinating the race and surrounding events for the third year.

In addition to the race, which is adding yet another class this year (Teen Kayak), there will also be a vendor table event on the Main Street bridge, which focuses on natural resources, non-profit organizations, and community, while several downtown businesses and all local restaurants, will offer extended shopping hours for your browsing pleasure! The blacksmith shop will also be open for demonstrations and tours.

The Kiwanis Club of Manchester, Manchester Area Garden Club, River Raisin Watershed Council, Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission, and Grand-Raisin Conservation Community will all have informational booths on the Main Street Bridge as well as offering items for free and for sale. Manchester Boy Scouts, in cooperation with Stockwell’s (Kellie’s), will be selling ice cream by the scoop. Kiwanis will be selling raffle tickets for a kayak; only 150 tickets are available at a cost of $10 per chance. They also will have special edition canoe race T-shirts for sale, which are designed by a local artist. The garden club will also be selling T-shirts at their booth.

Jim Mann and his crew, as they have for the past 50+ years, will be clearing the river for relatively smooth passage over the coming two weeks. Even with 50 to 100 entries expected by the day of the race, there should be minimal portaging necessary by canoeists and kayakers.

“It has been a little crazy” on the planning end, Kolon admits, but she is starting to feel more at ease now that registration brochures and announcement posters are being distributed throughout the community. Registration brochures are available 24/7 at Ollie’s and Frank’s, and also during business hours at Manchester Marathon, Ash Auto, Corrigan Oil (Wacker’s), and Pyramid Office Supply. The registration form is also available on the Facebook page.

Line up begins at 10 am on Sunday, May 19. Launch will start at at Fellows Bridge, on Sharon Valley Road between Meyers and Sharon Hollow, at 12 noon, continuing with one canoe/kayak per minute thereafter. Competitive class and double run canoes/kayaks will be given priority. The Sprint race will be held at the Mill Pond after completion of all other classes. Sprint race fee is $5.00 per person. (Canoe and paddles will be furnished for Sprint race.)

The most classes, the entry fee is $15 per person. (Children ages 5–12 are free; children under 5 years of age are not allowed.) In the Corporate Challenge Division, the $50 fee includes a two-person registration.

Canoe and Kayak Rentals (in limited supply) include paddles and flotation devices and will be available for a fee of $35. The rental canoes/kayaks will be delivered to the start line and picked up at the finish line.

To enter, make checks payable to and mail to: Kiwanis of Manchester PO Box 833 Manchester, MI 48158. If you have questions, contact Patti McCabe at 734-645-9722

Volunteers are still needed for the day of the race. If you are able to donate some of your time to assist the Kiwanis Club in continuing this time-honored Manchester tradition, please contact Kolon at 734-646-4673.

It should be a great day to be in downtown Manchester! Come and join in the fun.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.