Any last minute registrations for this weekend’s Kayak Fest must be in by 4:00pm this afternoon. Set up is currently underway at the Participark, which Tourism Timmins expects will host 20, 000 people over the three day event.
Manager for Tourism, Guy Lamarche, says the economic impact for the city is a big one. He says once they know the numbers of visitors who come from out of town, they will run the numbers through an economic impact model. But, he says at first glance, the impact is a big one.
Lamarche says they already have over 110 paddlers signed up for the various competitions, with some coming as far away as Manitoba. He says the sponsorship is reaching new heights this year, as 111 sponsors have donated over $100,000 in cash, which doesn’t include in-kind services.
The 8th annual event kicks off on Friday. There will be the paddling competitions, live music, a water sport stunt show, and fireworks. For registration and scheduling details, go to the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge and Festival website.