Save the Date for a 2024 Kanoe the Kazoo Event!!
This year’s events are supported by:
Signatories to the Lake Allegan/Kalamazoo River Total Maximum Daily Load Program, including the City of Kalamazoo, and the City of Battle Creek
Bell’s Brewery
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Whitehouse Nature Center
Water Trail Ventures, LLC
Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact Doug at krwc@kalamazooriver.org or the other contacts listed below with any questions.
Print out and distribute a 1-page flyer of all 2024 events: Kanoe the Kazoo Schedule Handout
Pre-registration is required for all events.
June 15, 2024
Paddle the South Branch Kalamazoo River from Homer to Albion
Hosts: Whitehouse Nature Center, Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact: Monica Day (Whitehouse Nature Center, mday@albion.edu), Doug McLaughlin (krwc@kalamazooriver.org)
Event Description: A morning paddle on the south branch of the Kalamazoo in the Kalamazoo River headwaters.
Details and registration link coming soon!
July 13, 2024
Paddle the Battle Creek River near downtown Battle Creek
Hosts: City of Battle Creek
Contact: Bessie Stears (City of Battle Creek, bestears@battlecreekmi.gov)
Details and registration link coming soon!
July 27, 2024
Paddle the Kalamazoo River from Kalamazoo to D Avenue
Hosts: Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact: Jenny Doezema (jdoezema@naturecenter.org), Doug McLaughlin (krwc@kalamazooriver.org)
Details and registration link coming soon!
August 3, 2024
A fun paddle on the Kalamazoo River from Merrill Park in Comstock to Mayor’s Riverfront Park in Kalamazoo
Hosts: City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact: Malissa Drzick (City of Kalamazoo, mdrzick@kalamazoocity.org), Doug McLaughlin (krwc@kalamazooriver.org)
Details and registration link coming soon!
August 17, 2024
Kanoe the Kazoo 20th Anniversary Paddle and Dinner Event, Kalamazoo River at New Richmond
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and WaterTrail Ventures, LLC
Contact: Doug McLaughlin (KRWC, 269-350-6158, krwc@kalamazooriver.org) and Julie Hulsey (WaterTrail Ventures, (269) 547-1884, watertrailexplorer1@yahoo.com)
Event Description: Paddle from the M-89 Bridge Boat Launch near Swan Creek Marsh to WaterTrail Ventures and Paddle Respite in New Richmond during the afternoon. Then walk across the street to The Chapel for an evening celebration outdoors under the big top with catered food, beer, wine, and live music. Join us for both the paddle and dinner, just the paddle trip, or just the dinner. Register below for one of these options. Pre-registration is required.
The Paddle Trip (4-5 hour paddle ending by 6pm):
Check in: Begins at 9:00 AM at WaterTrail Ventures (3151 57th St, Fennville, MI 49408)
Launch: Between 11am and 12:30pm
Take out: At New Richmond by no later than 6pm
Vehicle shuttle provided: Shuttle to launch location will begin at 9:00AM from WaterTrail Ventures and Paddle Respite in New Richmond; final shuttle at 12 noon.
Boat Rentals: Contact Julie at WaterTrail Ventures and Paddle Respite (269- 547-1884)
T-shirts: Free, indicate size on registration form, pick up t-shirt at check-in
Event Cost: There is no charge for the event. Donations for the KRWC are encouraged
Note: WaterTrail Ventures and Paddle Respite will have their Trestle Bell site and limited rustic camping space available for purchase to registered participants. Anyone wanting to book an overnight stay should contact Julie directly at 269-547-1884.
The Dinner Event (3:00pm to 8pm):
Evening celebration at The Chapel (3142 57th St, Fennville, MI) with catered dinner, beer and wine, live music and watershed information from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.
Check in: Between 3pm and 6pm at The Chapel
Dinner buffet line open from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Options include pulled pork, pulled chicken, vegetarian burgers (must specify on registration form), rolls, assorted BBQ sauces, coleslaw, American potato salad, fruit salad.
Pick up your free Kanoe the Kazoo T-shirt at check-in.
Registration Coming Soon!
September 14, 2024
In-river Cleanup (More Experienced Paddlers Only) on the Kalamazoo River from Comstock to Commerce Lane (north of Mosel Ave. in Kalamazoo)
Host: City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact: Malissa Drzick (City of Kalamazoo, mdrzick@kalamazoocity.org), Doug McLaughlin (krwc@kalamazooriver.org)
Details and registration link coming soon!