By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
If you’ve been itching to launch your craft in a Float Your Fanny Down The Ganny race, mark you calendar for April 9 and sign up.
The Municipality of Port Hope and the Float your Fanny Down the Ganny Committee announce that initial planning for the traditional river race on the Ganaraska River has begun – and a call for local race participants is under way in preparation for the event, scheduled for Saturday, April 9.
“After a two-year hiatus due to restrictions from the pandemic, we are cautiously optimistic about the return of Float Your Fanny and a community celebration to mark the 40th race in our history,” Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson said in the announcement.
“We are keeping a watchful eye on the COVID-19 situation and, after careful consideration and in collaboration with community and emergency-service partners, we are able to take the first step in the planning process.
“As we have seen over the last couple of years, plans may change in the coming weeks and months, and the committee is ready to pivot operations at any time. But for now, we are working towards hosting the race and taking a more local approach to our promotion of the festivities.”
This annual event is a signature celebration for the municipality with historical roots, honouring how the community came together after a flood in April 1980 devastated the downtown. As the first Float Your Fanny was held in 1981 – and then missed for two years during the pandemic – 2022 marks the 40th outing for the event.
Participants are challenged in a rigorous 10-km. race down the mighty Ganaraska River, with canoe and kayak competition and with a Crazy Craft event. At the finish line, Fannyville (the outdoor event village) is set up to host various food, drink and merchandise vendors, with on-stage entertainment, children’s activities, and a live commentary of the race results, culminating in an award presentation for the race finalists.
“We’ve been hibernating for two years, and are ready to celebrate the unofficial start of spring with the return of this much-loved Port Hope tradition,” Float Your Fanny co-chair Barry Adamson said.
“Our small non-profit organization appreciates the support of the municipality to help us bring this event back to our community calendar. We are excited, cautious, but ready to get back out there and have some good old-fashioned fun!”
As usual, Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services, in collaboration with multiple community emergency-service partners, are heavily involved in the safety planning and will be on-site during the event. Participants and spectators must follow protocols, and remain mindful and respectful of each other along the riverbank. The health and safety of the community remains top priority for event organizers and the municipality.
As well, the event plan was previously reviewed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to ensure the Municipality remains in compliance with all policies and procedures to support the safety and sustainability of the fish and wildlife habitats in the river.
Participant registration is now open at www.floatyourfanny.ca. All participants are reminded to review registration information carefully to prepare accordingly for a smooth launch and safe travels on the swift and chilly waters of the Ganaraska. Canoes and kayaks will launch from Canton for their 10 a.m. race, and Crazy Craft will put in at Sylvan Glen at 11 a.m.
While the event is scheduled for April 9, weather conditions, applicable COVID-19 protocols and perhaps other restrictions will be considered leading up to the race. The inclement-weather dates is scheduled a week later, for April 16.
