Stay In The Loop

Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta takes place at noon on July 4th, on the Little Pigeon River in Downtown Gatlinburg. This year’s fun-filled Fourth of July celebration in Gatlinburg will feature the always-competitive River Raft Regatta, the unmanned kind.

Anything floatable can be entered starting at 10 a.m. at the Christ in the Smokies bridge on River Road and will end at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. There are two categories: Trash (not hand-made) and Treasure (hand-made) – awards will go to the top 3 in each category. Additionally, the “Judges Choice” award will go to the most creative “raft.” Awards will be given to the oldest and the youngest participant. Registration begins at 10 am and the race will start at 11:00 am.

New this year, eventgoers can rent and enter rubber ducks into the competition for $2 or 3 for $5. There will be trophies for those in 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Treasure, Duck and Most Creative Float categories.