The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce presents the 61st Annual General Clinton Canoe Regatta from May 26 to May 18 this year. Come watch the races or enjoy the entertainment, vendors and food. (Submitted photo)

BAINBRIDGE — More than 1,000 canoe racers and many more spectators will ascend on Bainbridge, NY for the 61st Annual General Clinton Canoe Regatta from May 26 to 28. The Regatta is presented by the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce and features canoe racing all weekend as well as many other activities at the General Clinton Park in Bainbridge.

The event is more than just a great canoe race, it also provides quality entertainment for the Tri Town area in a family-friendly atmosphere.

The GCCR features the longest one-day flat water canoe race in North America. The 70-mile race on Sunday starts at Brookwood Point in Cooperstown. Brookwood Point is located at 6000 State Hwy 80, two miles north of the village.

The 70-mile trek on the Susquehanna River from Cooperstown to Bainbridge will take as little as 7 hours for the pros and as many as 14 hours for others. Canoeists from all over North America come to New York to challenge the flat water in a true test of endurance. The Clinton is the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of Canoe Racing.

Other notable races: Friday night’s popular generation gap races. Saturday brings Boy and Girl Scouts from all over the Northeast as well as other youth races. Sunday features the Grand Prix relay races from Oneonta, as well as a 12-mile sprint race from Wells Bridge. The General Clinton Park in Bainbridge is home to the finish line for all the races throughout the weekend and the home to an entire weekend of activities.

Friday night marks the 6th Annual Taste of Regatta starting at 6 p.m. in the Saratoga Eagle Main Event Tent sponsored by Pine Ridge Grocery. Sample and enjoy some of the best local food, beverages, and entertainment. Local favorite Judy Pitel will perform at 7:30 p.m. with Aric McKown AKA Elvis immediately following.

The Generation Gap Race sponsored by Benson Realty will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Sidney Fishing Access. Parking is free on Friday night thanks to NYCM Insurance.

As always, Saturday is Kids Day. Che Chee The Clown, Doug Welch the Magician, and Lily Silly Puppet Theater can be found in the Pavilion starting at 1 p.m.

Kids can try their hand at painting with Pat at 11 a.m. and can take on cookie decorating with Dani’s Delights at 2 p.m., both in the Artisan tent. Please contact bainbridge.chamber@yahoo.com to register for these classes ahead of time.

The relay and scout races will be taking place on Saturday as well. New this year, sponsored by Drogen Electric Supply and brought to you by Above All Balloon Rides from Albany, will be the Walk Balloon Activity starting at 4:30 p.m. and the tethered Hot Air Balloon Ride at 6:30 p.m., both near the main gate with the Hot Air Balloon Glow taking place at 8:30 p.m.

Also new on Saturday, stop by to see the chainsaw woodcarving demonstrations brought to you by Cedar Mountain Designs. Demonstrations at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The wood carvings will be raffled off at the end of the event.

Saturday will also kick off with the wrestling tournament at the Finish Line tent starting at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Tractor pulls brought to you by Catskill Dirt Slingers will start at 11 a.m. on the river flat. Later in the day, the Hall of Fame Luncheon will take place at 1 p.m. with the Jericho Arts Council.

A live auction will be held at 4 p.m. in the Main Event tent - this has become a great fundraiser for the JAC as well as a crowd favorite. These chairs are one of a kind, so come out and bid on your favorite. The chairs will be located on Main Street in Bainbridge until the day of the auction.

Regatta’s Got Talent brought to you by Northern Star Productions will begin at 6 p.m. in the Pavilion, and registration is at 5 p.m.

Next and new this year starting at 6 p.m. will be Nick Marra and Company, with a 90-minute comedy show followed by Cryin' Outloud Live Band, featuring Bainbridge's own Paul Jenkins in the Main Event tent.

Saturday night entertainment is sponsored by Madison Vinyl. Be sure to stop by for a drink in the Main Event tent as we will have celebrity bartenders on hand from 4 to 8 p.m. Adults can also try their hand at painting with Pat during Paint and Sip at 7 p.m. in the Artisan tent.

As always, Sunday is Race Day, sponsored by Alpine Metal Roofing and kicking off at Brookwood Point in Cooperstown starting at 6 a.m., and will finish in Bainbridge, with the first canoes coming in at approximately 2 p.m.

You can tune to WCDO FM101/AM1490 for the live broadcast all day. WCDO will be streaming live online for everyone all over the world to hear. The broadcast will provide updates at many points on the river. Go to www.wcdosports.com and click on "listen live" to get up-to-minute results and finish line interviews.

The Sunday 70-mile race is shaping up to be an all-time classic this year! The pro class already has several fan-favorite racers signed up and local Clinton historians expect this to be one of the most competitive years in recent memory.

Professional racers from dozens of US states and Canada will spend the weekend in Bainbridge preparing for one of the most grueling events in the triple crown series of paddling. But it is more than just the pros, as hundreds of amateur racers will attempt the 70-mile journey as well. The Clinton is unique in offering competition outside of the professional class. These additional categories attract racers from all over the world.

The 2023 race will have entrants going for their first finish all the way up to racers who have completed the 70-mile race over 40 times! No matter the water level, it looks like this year's race will be one for the history books.

In addition, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, the annual Cornhole Tournament begins, sponsored by Tri-County Cornhole, next to the Main Event tent, where the Music Festival will also be kicking off sponsored by ACCO Brands. Sign up in advance or day of the event.

This year’s Music Festival will feature 9-1-1 from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by Woodshed Prophets at 4:30 p.m., and the Nate Gross Band closing out the night starting at 8 p.m.

All weekend long, be sure to stop by the Pavilion for Brooks BBQ’s delicious chicken, shop for some unique homemade goods at the Artisan Row tent, and browse a variety of items at the Open-Air Market.

Main Event Amusements from Syracuse will be offering wristband specials on Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. The finale for both Saturday and Sunday night will be fiireworks brought to you by American Fireworks and sponsored by SFCU, staring at approximately 10 p.m.

Admission to the park is just $10 per carload Saturday and Sunday. Friday parking admission is free, compliments of NYCM Insurance.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all our loyal sponsors as we could not put on this event without them! Complete information including directions, event schedule, race entries, registrations, etc. is available on our website, CanoeRegatta.org.

The Bainbridge C of C is a 501-6c not-for-profit organization, which supports and promotes commerce in Bainbridge as well as the Tri Town region. This event helps support General Clinton Park as well as many other local activities.

-Information provided by the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce