CHUNKY - Chunky Shoals Fish Camp will host the annual Chunky River Raft Race & Festival on Saturday, June 1. The race will begin at 9 a.m. at Chunky Shoals Fish Camp, located at 13221 Highway 80 W in Chunky, Mississippi and end at Point Road.
“Once again this year we are beyond excited to put together this amazing community event set for the first Saturday in June. We will have events and fun for all ages,” said Rick Lewis, co-owner of Chunky Shoals Fish Camp. “It is always our goal to have the festival grow each year and this year it will be bigger than ever before.”
Many events will be held including a 5K charity float, rubber duck race and of course, the river raft race. With the continued theme of “Rafting Rocks,” the day will be filled with arts, crafts, food and loads of family fun. A grand prize trophy and $200 will be awarded to the most creative and innovative raft. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded for each class in the race as well.
All proceeds from the charity float and the rubber duck race will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Mississippi. Alzheimer’s Mississippi provides care and support for Mississippians affected by Alzheimer’s disease while advancing statewide research in pursuit of a cure. They provide vital services and support to individuals, caregivers and families in all 82 counties in Mississippi.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
“Funds raised by Alzheimer’s Mississippi stay in Mississippi,” said Lewis. “We love that they support local Alzheimer’s support groups that have become a place of learning and relief for caregivers. They even fund research projects that are Mississippi based, such as the UMC Mind Center, and Dr. Shapiro, who is a well-known neurologist in Hattiesburg, that helps hundreds of Mississippi families every year!”
Premier sponsors for the Chunky River Raft Race & Festival include The Meridian Star, WTOKTV, Bank Plus, Magnolia Beverage Company, All Star Team Sports, Back Country Mahindra and Structural Steel. Other sponsors of the event include Stuckey Bridge Kayak, Burton Awards, Beem-On Photography, Newton County Farm Supply, LaZBoy and East MS Foothills Land Trust.
Boats will not be provided for the event. For rental information, call Stuckey Bridge Kayak at 601-481-4210, or visit their website chunkyriverkayaks.com.
