Creek Run Festival deemed another great success despite rain

 

Paddling participants arrive at Double Bridges for take out at the end of the 2025 Creek Run Festival. Photo by Christa Jennings

 

Matthew Reams with the Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways arrives at the take-out spot after completing the float. Photo by Christa Jennings

 

 

Laci Brown shows the 32-quart RTIC ultra-light cooler she won in the rubber duck giveaway. Photo by Christa Jennings

 

Danny Nelson calls out the winning ticket numbers for prize giveaways at the end of the float. Photo by Christa Jennings

 

 

By Christa Jennings

Senior Staff Writer

 

A rainy and stormy start to the day did not hinder many of those who registered for this year’s Creek Run Festival, hosted by the Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways.

While there were 85 who registered, some left because of the weather. Still, more than 60 floated Hatchet Creek in canoes and kayaks from Kings Bridge to Double Bridges, and the event was considered a great success despite the weather.

Many who floated the creek emerged at the end commenting on how much fun they had and what a great event it was, even while loading their vehicles and talking about participating again next year.

While the float took approximately six to seven hours for most to finish, on average, Charlie Walker was the first one to finish this year, completing the float in four hours. The last group arrived at the take-out spot at 4 p.m., finishing it in nine hours, as they relaxed and enjoyed the scenery along the way.

While the floats in previous years have included one big prize giveaway, the association switched things up this year and had multiple prizes given away.

Additionally, this year’s float also saw numbered rubber ducks placed in various locations along the waterway. Lucky participants who spotted them had the opportunity to collect ducks along the way for a special prize giveaway at the end.

Laci Brown won a 32-quart RTIC ultra-light cooler with her rubber duck’s winning number.

Other prizes given away to winning ticket numbers included a 24-can RTIC soft cooler won by Wade Brown, a kayak roller to help pull a kayak won by Dani Reams and a Stanley tumbler won by Lesley Neis.

“I really had a great experience,” Neis said, in providing feedback after the float. “I am having my cup engraved with the Creek Run Festival emblem. That was really a life-changing experience for me.”

Neis also thanked the Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways for all it does and for organizing the float.

The association thanks this year’s sponsors for helping make this event possible, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Alabama Scenic River Trail, Alabama Power, and First Community Bank.

For more information on the association visit www.facebook.com/coosawaterways or email coosawaterways@yahoo.com for more information or to join.