Event Description

Fall Family Trail Fest (on the KRVT)                                                               rev 9/8/2024                  

Join us Sunday afternoon on October 13, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm for a fall family friendly festival centered on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail at River Oaks County Park, Kalamazoo County.

Our purpose is to share and celebrate the Kalamazoo River Valley Trailway amenity passing through River Oaks County Park into Galesburg.  The festivities allow you to use this 2.5 mile section of paved trail and the River Oaks County Park.  Run/walk/bike/skate/stroller/skateboard the distance you prefer.  Various games, snacks, venues, informational and hospitality sites will be at River Oaks, along the trail route, in the City of Galesburg and at its park along the Kalamazoo River.   The Thunderbird RC club will be doing model airplane demonstration flights. 

And if you choose, paddle the Kalamazoo River with your own kayak/canoe, or notify Mainstream Tackle and Outdoor (phone 269-665-5076) for free use of a vessel (limited availability).    We will help shuttle you back from River Oaks County Park to the City of Galesburg boat launch, depart at Galesburg Park launch between 1:00 to 3:00 pm and arrive at River Oaks no later than 4:00 pm.

This is an open house type event, so you set your own pace and distance with a start/end time within our scheduled time frame.  

Registration includes admission to the River Oaks County Park, and an option for use of a kayak/canoe through Mainstream Tackle and Outdoor.  Preregistration is $5 per person or $10 per family (adults plus minor children under 18 years of age).  Online registration is encouraged by midnight October 10, or pay double the fees due at the gate/registration table for day of walk in registrations ($10 individual, $20 family by cash or check).

We are assisted by the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council (KRWC executive director Doug McLaughlin and team), and by Mainstream Tackle and Outdoors in Galesburg for paddle vessels and shuttles for event registrants only.

The event is organized by the nonprofit group the Friends of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trailway (FKRVT) - our purpose is to advocate for the development/use/maintenance of the trailway.  Donations welcomed.  New board members welcomed.  Please inquire of us.  

THANK you for participating on behalf of the Friends of the KRVT – Larry Stehouwer, President and Gerhard Wynbelt, Secretary and its directors.  Email:  krvt.kal.friends@gmail.com