BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Bigfork | Small Village - Big Adventure - ECPv6.16.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Bigfork | Small Village - Big Adventure
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://bigfork.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Bigfork | Small Village - Big Adventure
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Denver
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20250309T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20251102T080000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20260308T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20261101T080000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:MDT
DTSTART:20270314T090000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20271107T080000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260524T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260524T200000
DTSTAMP:20260526T074854
CREATED:20260224T211005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T210040Z
UID:10036335-1779609600-1779652800@bigfork.org
SUMMARY:Bigfork Whitewater Festival
DESCRIPTION:The 51st Annual Bigfork Whitewater Festival returns May 23–24\, 2026\, bringing a full weekend of whitewater racing\, community events\, live music\, and river culture back to downtown Bigfork. Hosted on the iconic “Wild Mile” section of the Swan River\, the Festival remains one of the longest-running whitewater events in the western United States and an annual kickoff to summer in the Flathead Valley. \nEach Memorial Day weekend\, professional and amateur paddlers from across the region gather in Bigfork to compete in kayak\, raft\, and stand-up paddleboard events on the Wild Mile — a scenic and challenging Class IV stretch of whitewater that flows directly through downtown Bigfork. Spectators can enjoy front-row viewing access from the Swan River Nature Trail\, downtown bridge crossings\, and multiple viewing areas throughout town. \nFestival events include Boater-X racing\, slalom competitions\, downriver races\, raft head-to-head heats\, SUP races in Bigfork Bay\, the community Flower Float\, vendor areas\, food\, live music\, and the Saturday night dance party. \nThe Bigfork Whitewater Festival directly benefits Montana Kayak Academy\, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing whitewater kayaking instruction\, river safety education\, and river stewardship opportunities for youth and adults throughout the Flathead Valley and beyond. \n“The Festival has always been more than just a race\,” said Montana Kayak Academy Executive Director David Meyers. “It’s a celebration of river culture\, community\, outdoor recreation\, and the incredible history of paddling in Bigfork. We’re proud to continue growing an event that supports youth programming and helps connect more people to our rivers.” \nThe Festival is free for spectators and welcomes athletes\, families\, outdoor enthusiasts\, and community members of all ages. \nMore information\, registration details\, volunteer opportunities\, sponsorship information\, and the full event schedule can be found at Bigforkwhitewaterfestival.com \n \n2026 Schedule of Events\n\n\n\nThursday\, May 21st\nOpen Camping for competitors. Please check in with Camp host and respect all camping rules. \nFriday\, May 22nd\n12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Boater-X: Viewing from the Swan River Nature Trail. Registration online\, capped at first 16 participants. \n4:00 p.m. Flower Float\, put in at South Shore Access off Hwy 209. \n6:00 p.m. Weekend Boater Orientation \nCompetition Schedule:\nVIEWING FOR ALL KAYAK & RAFT RACES ALONG SWAN RIVER NATURE TRAIL \nSaturday\, May 23rd\n8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Registration/Check In: – Kayaks\, SUP Race\, Rafts – Downtown in front of Lake Baked \n10:00 a.m. Lower Slalom Race: Powerhouse/ Sliter’s Park \n11:00 a.m. SUP Races Begin: Bigfork Bay Public Dock\nTentative: Beginner @ 11:00 / Intermediate @ 11:30 / Advanced @ 12:00 \n11:00 a.m. Downriver Raft Time Trial: Top 8 teams advance \n12:30 p.m. – Mandatory Safety Meeting @ put in (South Shore Access off Hwy 209) \n1:00 p.m. Expert Slalom \n9:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Saturday Night Dance Party at The Riverview Bar \nSunday\, May 24th\n8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Registration \n9:00 a.m. 1st heat Raft Head-to-Head \n10:30 a.m. Down River Race \n12:00 p.m. 2nd heat Raft Head-to-Head \n12:30 p.m. Giant Slalom \n3:00 p.m. Final Rafting Heats  \n6:00 p.m. Awards ceremony at The Garden Bar at the conclusion of all racing! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRace registration is now open!\nClick here to sign up for kayaking\, rafting\, and paddleboard events.
URL:https://bigfork.org/event/bigfork-whitewater-festival/2026-05-24/
LOCATION:Wild Mile on the Swan River
CATEGORIES:Community,Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bigfork.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/z-white-water2.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR