Join 2,000 Paddlers in a Cincinnati Tradition

If you’ve ever wanted to paddle the Ohio River with 2,000 others, registration for the 25th year of the Ohio River Paddlefest is open. The Cincinnati tradition draws paddlers in kayaks and canoes and on stand-up paddleboards and offers the opportunity to follow one of two courses while the stretch of the Ohio River is closed to motorized traffic.

Local nonprofit Adventure Crew hosts the Aug. 1 paddle and kicks the event off with the Outdoors for All Expo, a free, Friday-night celebration of all things outside set for July 31.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating a milestone anniversary of this hallmark local event,” Miriam Wise, director of support and engagement for Adventure Crew, said in a Feb. 25 press release announcing 2026 signups. “Paddlefest brings the community together for a weekend of camaraderie and appreciation for the outdoors. This year, we hope that community will help us reach another milestone: Our biggest and best Paddlefest yet.”

Paddlers can opt to follow the standard 9-mile route or the shorter 4.5-mile one. The longer route ends at a finish-line celebration with beer, food trucks and music, while the shorter route ends at the Public Landing in downtown Cincinnati.

The Friday-night Outdoors for All Expo features more than 70 exhibitors spanning local parks, outfitters and environmentally minded local organizations. The 2026 live music lineup includes Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle, Jake Speed & the Freddies and Ma Crow & Co. Food trucks and beer from MadTree Brewing round out the offerings. (The Outdoors For All Expo runs from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Schmidt Recreation Complex.)

Paddlers can register now at the Ohio River Paddlefest website. The longer paddle is $55 for adults, $25 for ages 17 and under, while the shorter one is $50 for adults, $20 for ages 17 and under.

For more information, visit ohioriverpaddlefest.com.

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