NEW ULM - Canoe enthusiasts are sought for new events Saturday at Riverblast 2010 at Riverside Park.
Canoes are available for free use on a timed canoe obstacle course.
Contestants from age 12 to adult will embark one at a time and maneuver around markers and buoys from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Minnesota River next to Riverside Park.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in novice, intermediate and expert divisions.
Canoeists and kayakers are invited to a paddle rally at 1 p.m. Saturday in the park.
Participants are asked to identify their watercraft with their name or affiliate.
They may enter the river at any point upstream of Riverside Park Saturday morning and paddle to Riverside Park.
There is no flotilla contest this year but anyone who wants to create their own boat design and cruise the river is welcome, said Riverblast director Scott Sparlin of New Ulm.
"We've got a new focus on canoes this year with an obstacle course and paddle rally, but motorized and non-motorized boats are welcome too," Sparlin added.
Tent and recreational vehicle campers can roll into Riverside and Minnecon Parks beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday. They must leave by Sunday noon.
"The parks can fill up fast so we encourage campers to come early," Sparlin said.
Free music starts at 5 p.m. Friday onstage in Riverside Park with bluegrass and old-time music by Dick Kimmel & Co.
The Plan B Blues Band takes stage at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday events begin at 9 a.m. with a 5k run/walk on a dirt path between the parks and on the bike rail.
Bike rides of 20 miles and 37 miles to the Harkin Store and Fort Ridgely State Park and back begin at 9 a.m. in the park.
Helmets are required for bike riders.
Lucky Jones & The Gambling Ramblers will perform alternative country, roots rock and folk music at 11 a.m.
Donnie Klossner will play polka music at noon.
Kevin Anthony & The Twin City Playboys will perform Cajun and country music 2-5 p.m.
Howard "Guitar" Luedtke & Blue Max follows with blues/rock at 5:30 p.m.
Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans will perform blues, funk and dance music at 9 p.m.
A songwriter, singer, guitarist and bandleader, Cebar and his band are a national act known for their Caribbean, Latin American and African music.
Minnesota River Watershed information will be available in the park.
A regional history and information center with information about the Minnesota River is housed in the former schoolhouse in the park.
Afternoon horse-drawn trolley rides will be available.
Five hundred tickets will be sold at the Hunter's Den, New Ulm for a hand-crafted gun cabinet to given away in a Saturday night drawing.
A variety of food and beverages will be available in the park.
For more information, visit riverblast.org/
(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).
