CCASW hosts successful float, looks forward to next year’s

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By Christa Jennings

Senior Staff Senior

 

As summer begins to wind down and families prepare for the start of a new school year, people reflect back on the season and memories made.

For some near and far, those summer memories include participating in the 2026 Creek Run Festival, a one-day float down Hatchet Creek hosted by the Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways.

The Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways was pleased to host another successful float this year. The fourth annual float had 64 participants who canoed or kayaked along the creek, enjoying a day of sun, water, camaraderie, and looking for rubber ducks along the way.

“This year the rainfall was a little less than we had hoped for, but it ended up working out great and turned out to be an enjoyable time,” said CCASW Vice President Matthew Reams. “We had a good variety of people who have done it before, as well as first timers.”

“We had people from all over the state come to join us to see what Hatchet Creek has to offer, especially the Cahaba lilies that were in full bloom,” Reams added.

With two separate put-in times this year, the first group of floaters began arriving at the take-out point at 1:30 p.m. The last group arrived safely on the sands of Double Bridges at 3:48 p.m., making for a full day of fun on the water.

As they ended the float, despite some dealing with scrapes or bruising, there was a positive atmosphere with smiles and laughs as participants shared moments from the float and the fun they had.

Some stated that the float “exceeded their expectations.” Others noted that they enjoyed “every bit of it – the ducks, Cahaba lilies, rapids, all of it.”

A first-time participant, Jeremy of West Virginia, who later won a Yeti tumbler, stated that it was a “great event.” He thanked the Association of Scenic Waterways for putting it on.

In addition to first-time floaters sharing positive feedback, return floaters also spoke positively about the fourth annual float and the fun they had. Some stated that they “look forward to it every year.”

Others also said that the CCASW does “a great job putting it on and organizing it” and that they appreciate the association doing it.

At the conclusion of the float, the CCASW awarded prizes in drawings for various giveaways. Numbered rubber ducks were hidden along the creek, and participants who managed to get a duck had the opportunity to win prizes at the end.

This year’s prize pool included the Yeti tumbler, a Yeti cooler, a basket of outdoor-themed goods, and a canoe dolly or kayak roller.

As a first this year, later after the float, the association held an awards reception with a meal prepared by association members. Awards were given to recognize volunteers, sponsors and those who helped in the overall success of the event.

Sponsors for this year’s float were Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Central Access, Alabama Scenic River Trail, Alabama One Credit Union, Alabama Power, First Community Bank, and “The Coosa County News.”

“On behalf of the Association of Scenic Waterways, we are especially thankful for Danny Nelson and Greg White who put forth a lot of hours before the event to make the unloading zone a safer environment,” Vice President Reams said.

“Also, it is our goal to utilize the funds that we raise to increase safety measures and accessibility along our scenic waterways,” Reams said, speaking of the association’s overall goal.

For updates on the fifth annual Creek Run Festival to be held next year, keep a check on the Coosa County Scenic Waterways’ Facebook page and future editions of “The Coosa County News.”