River Rumba clinic Saturday

September 04, 2008 05:30 pm

— The first River Rumba Regatta Cardboard Boat Building Clinic is at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, in the food court at Arrowhead Mall. The clinic is for those interested in entering the River Rumba Regatta, an event that will continue annually.
“We have over 1,000 pieces of cardboard that has been donated by different companies,” said Mark Wilkerson, director of the Muskogee Parks and Recreation Department. “We have the literature for the boat building too. All we need are groups, clubs and individuals willing to build them.”
Entries fees for the regatta are $50 for individuals and groups. For corporate boats the fee is $150.
All proceeds from the River Rumba Regatta will go toward the Exchange Club’s Shoe and Coat Fund.
Participants will meet for the regatta from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 20.
“We have been talking doing something like this for awhile,” he said. “The harbor is a perfect place for it. With it being in September the worst thing that could happen is it being a little cold, if the boat happens to sink.”
Wilkerson said awards will be given out for different categories, including the Titanic Award.
“The Titanic Award will go to the most dramatic sinking,” he said. “We have other awards for the fastest, most spirited and the best designed. This should be a lot of fun. It will also help draw people to the harbor. A lot of money has been spent on the harbor, and I bet 90 percent of people in Muskogee haven’t been down there yet.”