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Group seeks to put Etowah River in record books with long line of water inflatables
Coosa River Basin Initiative seeking groups to participate in Rome's Big Float June 2
Rome's big float

On June 2, the Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) looks to put the Etowah River in the Guinness World Records book by creating the "longest line of water inflatables" during Rome’s Big Float.

 

Last week, CRBI received confirmation that the Guinness World Records accepted its application to set an official world record. The record to break is a 543-foot-long line of more than 100 inflatables created in 2017 at the Wellland FloatFest in Canada.

 

“We’re shooting for a mile-long chain of about 1,000 people,” said Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, executive director and riverkeeper at CRBI. “So we need civic, school, church and other groups to help us reach that goal. If we are successful, this will likely be the largest ever gathering of humans on Rome’s rivers."

 

Groups of 25 or more receive discount registrations of $20 per person. Each participant receives an event t-shirt, tube rental, shuttles to and from the river, and for adults, a complimentary SweetWater beer during a party at River Dog Outpost following the float.

 

Interested parties can contact CRBI Membership and Events Coordinator Shira Kerce at (706) 232-2724 or skerce@coosa.org to register their group and receive a special registration code.

 

Awards will be given for the largest group, the most spirited group and the best costumed group.

 

Already, many local businesses are lining up to help set the world record, including International Paper, Profile Custom Extrusion, Scott Logistics, Redmond Regional Medical Center, Southeastern Mills and the Rome YMCA.

 

The six-mile river float will end at Bridgepoint Plaza where a picnic and party is planned on the lawn outside Moe’s Original Bar B Que from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.. Music and games will be provided along with food and refreshments from Moe’s, Kona Ice and Swift & Finch.

 

River Dog Outpost overlooking the Etowah will also host an after party with live music and will serve up the complimentary SweetWater for adult participants.

 

On the water, tubers and boaters will be serenaded by the sounds of local bluegrass and country music artists, The Barbaric Yawps, who will perform from a floating stage throughout the six-mile journey.

 

Sponsors of the event include State Mutual Insurance, Williams Energy, Mohawk Industries, International Paper, Profile Custom Extrusion, Scott Logistics, Redmond Regional Medical Center, KB Aerial Imaging, Sweetwater Brewing Company, Coca Cola Q102, RadioM, River Dog Outpost, Cedar Creek RV and Outdoor Center, River Ratz, Euharlee Creek Outfitters, Appalachian Outfitters, Cool River Tubing, Cartecay River Experience, Blue Sky Outfitter, Venue Dog , YMCA of Rome & Floyd Co. and Lieberman Family Chiropractic.

 

CRBI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. Its mission is to inform and empower citizens to protect, preserve and restore one of North America’s most biologically unique river basins.


 For more information contact Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman at (706) 232-2724 or jesse@coosa.org.