After a rainy day last June, the Chunky River Raft Race enjoyed a perfect summer day this year as hundreds of visitors made their way to Chunky Shoals Fish Camp for this year’s race.
More than two dozen rafters, canoers and kayakers participated in this year’s event, which raises funding and awareness for Alzheimer’s Mississippi.
The only entry in the raft division of the race, “Chillin’ on the Chunky,” took the Most Creative and first place trophy. The team from Brandon won the first-place trophy for the third year in a row and again donated their $200 prize to Alzheimer’s awareness.
David Collins took the first-place canoe award, while Jeff Fagan finished second and Noel Addy finished third.
In the kayak race, Tyler Singleton won the first-place trophy, Jonathan Dickerson came in second, and John Hovard came in third place.
The Tri-County Emergency Management from Newton, Clarke and Lauderdale counties also performed exercises on the river to prepare for emergencies.
Chunky Shoals Fish Camp co-owner and event organizer Rick Lewis said the partnership between the three agencies is essential, especially as Mississippi enters hurricane season.
“When we have a disaster, it doesn’t happen in one county or one town, the whole community has to come together,” Lewis said.
Saturday’s event also featured live music and several food vendors.
Margaret Alice Lampton, development coordinator for Alzheimer’s Mississippi, said the organization’s annual Walk4ALZ event that is held in Meridian each fall will be moved from Bonita Lakes to the Meridian City Hall this year and will be similar to the Chunky River Race.
For more information about Alzheimer’s Mississippi, visit alzms.org.
