Kawsmouth River Carnival to Set Sail

Kansas City, Missouri – The first annual Kawsmouth River Carnival will set sail on June 8th, 2024 at 3 p.m. The playful, Mardi Gras-style parade on water will see an array of watercraft, including DIY trash boats, hit the tranquil waves of the Missouri River.

The Parade Route

The river parade will start at Kaw Point boat ramp and conclude at Riverfront Park boat ramp. More than 50 watercraft are anticipated to participate in this immersive, community-friendly event. Admission is free and entries are welcome on the day of the carnival.

Participants are encouraged to embellish their boats to create floating works of art. The best-dressed boat of the flotilla will receive a special prize. The event will feature lively river beats by local musician Kyle Little and his band, Riverbeat Rascals.

Creating Trash Boats

In the lead-up to the carnival, participants attended a boat decorating and building workshop, where they learned how to construct DIY trash boats from recycled materials. Though plastic rain barrels or styrofoam are often used for buoyancy, Jaclyn Dalbey, river carnival coordinator, encourages creativity. “The sky is the limit for what you can dream up,” said Dalbey.

Emphasizing Safety

Participants are required to wear life jackets and will receive safety whistles. Safety support vessels, managed by the Healthy Rivers Partnership and the Kansas City Fire Department, will be on hand to provide emergency assistance if needed.

A Call for Community Engagement

Aside from being a fun community experience, the Kawsmouth River Carnival aims to contribute to the rejuvenation of the river as a public space. Dalbey hopes that the event will lead to the Kansas City administration investing in better facilities for river participation. “We have no place for people to keep boats out on the water during the warm months, so we have very little river activity. A dock at Riverfront Park would be a great start,” she added.

Countdown to the Carnival

As excitement builds for the maiden voyage of the Kawsmouth River Carnival, hopeful boaters and spectators alike prepare for the thrilling water spectacle. In case of poor weather, the event will be rescheduled for June 9th at 3 p.m. It’s time to set sail and celebrate the unity of the community on the gentle waves of the Missouri River.