BANGOR, Maine -- Nearly 700 people have registered to participate in the 58th annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race that will be held Saturday, April 19.
About 400 canoes, kayaks and other watercraft will make their way through Six Mile Falls before riding the stream into downtown Bangor and concluding near Sea Dog Brewery on Front Street. The race begins at 10 a.m. in the town of Kenduskeag and will cover 16.5 miles.
Participants can register in one of 22 different classes and registration will be accepted through this week and on the day of the event. Participants can register online at www.Bangorparksandrec.com or in person at the Bangor Parks and Recreation office at 647 Main St. until April 17. Registration on April 18 will be accepted in-office only. On race day, registration will take place at the starting line at Kenduskeag Union Church.
The course features three portages (one optional, two mandatory) and is lined with race safety personnel to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for paddlers.
There will be some travel restrictions in place during the race. Valley Avenue at Bruce Road will be closed to traffic, and northbound traffic on outer Broadway near Six Mile Falls will be one-way only. Southbound traffic on outer Broadway will be required to detour down Finson Road.
One of the best places for spectators to watch the race is at Six Mile Falls, which is just south of where outer Broadway intersects with Hudson Road. Another place to gather is along the Kenduskeag Stream Trail in downtown Bangor.
The race will be carried live by WABI/Channel 5 from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, with its cameras positioned at Six Mile Falls.
Darling’s will provide a warming tent for race participants at the end of the race, and Sea Dog Brewing will have food and refreshments afterward for those in the race. An awards ceremony will be held there as well.
A shuttle bus will be available at Sea Dog to transport people back to their vehicles parked at or near Kenduskeag Union Church.
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The City of Bangor, Maine, is a service center community of 31,753 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For information on City projects and news, see www.bangormaine.gov.