HINTON, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – The City of Hinton is anxiously awaiting its annual Color the River event and is encouraging everyone to register in time for the spectacle on Saturday, June 12.
Color the River, which allows participants to leisurely travel down the Greenbrier River in pretty much anything that floats, is an event that is loved by the residents of Hinton. The event was created by Second Saturdays as a way to raise money for a county cancer fund.
According to Second Saturdays’ volunteer Amy Richmond, there has never been a registration fee for the event, but organizers do encourage donations. At the end of the day, the proceeds are evenly distributed to families in Hinton County that are currently being affected by cancer.
Second Saturdays’ plans to post registration forms to Facebook so that they can be filled out in advance; however, registration will also be available starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Richmond says they hope to have everyone in the water by 10 a.m. but no later than noon as it takes four hours to travel down the river.
Floaters will enter the river at Camp Berry’s John Henry Campground in Pence Springs and will exit at the Talcott Public Access on Rt. 3 and 12.
While any age can participate in Color the River, Richmond reminded that participants under the age of 18 will need to present proof of parental consent prior to getting in the river.
Color the River will follow and enforce all rules presented by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources in regard to water safety. For example, participants 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times, while those 13 and older only have to have a lifejacket with them while on the river.
Additionally, participants traveling in a canoe or kayak are encouraged to have a safety whistle.
Anything can be taken on the river, including floats, tubes, kayaks, canoes, rafts, duckies, dories, etc. Rentals will be available for those who wish to participate in the event but do not have equipment of their own. Berry’s Campground will provide the rentals and will also be handling parking for the event, which is $5.
Richmond says that she and all the other Second Saturdays volunteers are looking forward to seeing smiling faces in the river once again.
“It feels great for all of us,” she said. “We have all stuck with it and with Second Saturdays. This is probably the fifth year we have done this, and we still have the same crew. We have just added a few more. Most of us have been here from the beginning, and we’ve been doing it because we love our community and want to bring people into Summers County and help support businesses that help our county shine.”
Following Color the River, downtown Hinton will be hosting a concert with food and various arts and crafts vendors. The event is free to attend at will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the courthouse lawn.
Richmond says everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information, visit the Second Saturday in Hinton, WV Facebook page.
