The acronym "FIBArk" stands for First in Boating in the Arkansas River - originally devised by a group of community members in the 1930's, many of them real estate agents, to draw attention to Salida and give an opportunity for local boaters to demonstrate their paddling skills.

Flash forward to today ... FIBArk is america's longest standing whitewater festival and in recent years, the FIBArk festival has drawn as many as 30,000 people to our small town of Salida, Colorado.

Through partnerships with generous local businesses, passionate individuals, and the City of Salida, FIBArk funds classes and equipment for both river safety and skill building.

The program is designed to introduce river concepts and experiences, teach skills and techniques, facilitate experiences and competitions, and develop lifelong river and river sport advocates.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, June 12, 2025

04:00 pm: First Pour with Commodore Byars - Riverside Park
05:00 pm: Kids Zone Opens - Riverside Park
05:00 pm: Riverside Park and Rides Open
05:00 pm: Tenderfoot Hill Climb Registration Opens and Packet pick-up - Sackett and F St.
05:30 pm: MUSIC: Big Horn - Riverside Park Stage
06:00 pm: Tenderfoot Hill Climb Race - F Street and Sackett
06:30 pm: Raft Rodeo - Boat Ramp Playhole
08:00 pm: Raft Rodeo Results - Announcer's Table
08:00 pm: Kids Zone Closes - Riverside Park
08:00 pm: MUSIC: Roundhouse Assembly and Friends - Riverside Park Stage
09:00 pm: Rides Close      
10:00 pm: Riverside Park Close

Friday, June 13, 2025

11:00 am: Colorado Cup and Freestyle Preliminaries - Boat Ramp Playhole
11:00 am: Surf Contest, Salida Whitewater Park
11:00 am: Riverside Park Open
11:00 am - 2:00 pm: Basketball free-throw Tournament - Sackett Ave and E St.
12:00 pm: Salida's Kids Got Talent - Riverside Park
12:00 pm: Rides Open
12:00 pm: Kids Zone Opens - Riverside Park
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: ColeTrain Music Pop Up - Kids Zone, Riverside Park
02:00 pm: Head to Head Raft Sprint - Salida Whitewater Park
03:15 pm: MUSIC: Drunken Hearts - Riverside Park Stage
04:00 pm: Head to Head SUP Cross - Salida Whitewater Park
04:00 pm: Head to Head Raft Sprint Awards - FIBArk Boathouse Deck
04:30 pm: Basketball free-throw Finals - Sackett Ave and E St.
05:30 pm: MUSIC: The Burroughs - Riverside Park Stage
06:00 pm: SUP Boxing - Salida Whitewater Park
06:00 pm: Head to Head Sup Cross Awards - Steamplant Pavillon
08:00 pm: Kids Zone Closes - Riverside Park
08:00 pm: MUSIC: HeartByrne - Riverside Park Stage
09:00 pm: Rides Close      
10:00 pm: Riverside Park and Rides Close

Friday, June 14, 2025

07:00 am: Pancake Breakfast - Salida Community Center
08:00 am: 10K Road Race - Thonhoff Park
08:05 am: 5K Road Race - Thonhoff Park
08:30 am: Kids Fun Race - Thonhoff Park
09:00 am: Slalom Race Preliminaries - Salida Whitewater Park
09:00 am: Donut Pop up By Rosies Donuts - Boat Ramp
10:00 am: Parade on F Street      
11:00 am: Riverside Park and Rides Open      
11:00 am: Running Races - Steamplant Pavillion
11:00 am - 2:00 pm: Basketball free-throw Tournament - Sackett Ave and E St.
11:15 am: Vintage Folding Kayak Demonstration - Salida Whitewater Park
11:30 am: Kids Creek Craft Launch - Monarch Spur Trail Creek next to Boat Ramp
12:00 pm: Salida's Got Talent - Riverside Park Stage
12:00 pm: Kids Zone Opens - Riverside Park
12:00 pm: Head to Head Slalom Boater Cross - Salida Whitewater Park
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: ColeTrain Music Pop Up, Kids Zone - Riverside Park
02:00 pm: Slalom Race Finals - Salida Whitewater Park
02:45 pm: Colorado Cup and Freestyle Finals - Boat Ramp Playhole
03:15 pm: MUSIC: Cycles - Riverside Park Stage
04:30 pm: 4Basketball free-throw Finals - Sackett Ave and E St.
05:30 pm: Colorado Cup and Freestyle Awards
05:30 pm: Hooligan Race - Salida Whitewater Park
06:00 pm: MUSIC: Sad Hands - Riverside Park Stage
08:00 pm: Kids Zone Closes - Riverside Park
08:00 pm: MUSIC: The Texas Gentlemen - Riverside Park Stage
10:00 pm: Riverside Park and Rides Close

Sunday, June 15, 2025

08:00 am: Trail Run Start, S Mtn - Meet at Cabose Parking Lot
08:30 am: Down River Race (Marathon-26 mile) Kayak start - RMOC to Salida
08:45 am: Down River Race (Marathon-26 mile) OC start - RMOC to Salida
09:00 am: Down River Race (Marathon-26 mile) Raft start - RMOC to Salida
09:00 am: FIBike - Mtn Bike Race - S Mtn
10:00 am: Riverside Park and Carnival Opens      
10:00 am: FIBArk Bar pop up featuring Boozy Brunch Drinks      
10:00 am: Down River Intermediate Race (10 mile) Kayak and Canoe start - Stonebridge to Salida
10:00 am: Running Races Awards - Steamplant Pavillion
10:00 am: Kids Zone Opens, Riverside Park - Riverside Park
10:15 am: Down River Intermediate Race (10 mile) SUP Race - Stonebridge to Salida
11:00 am: Down River Heavy Half Race (13 mile) all start - Hecla to Salida
11:00 am: FREE Yoga, Riverside Park - All levels, bring your own mat      
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: ColeTrain Music Pop Up - Kids Zone - Riverside Park
12:30 pm: MUSIC David Lawrence and the Spoonful - Riverside Park Stage
01:00 pm: Down River Novice Race (1 mile) - Marvin Park to Salida
01:00 pm: Bike Race Awards - Steamplant Pavillion
01:30 pm: Crazy River Dog - Salida Whitewater Park
02:45 pm: MUSIC: B-Side Players - Riverside Park Stage
03:00 pm: Down River Awards - Steamplant Pavilion
04:00 pm: Kids Zone Closes - Riverside Park
04:00 pm: Riverside Park and Rides Close

Date:
June 12 - 15, 2025

Location:
Various Venues in Salida, CO

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