Registrations now being taken for Float Your Fanny
Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny Logo. Courtesy of Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny Facebook.
By Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM News
Port Hope
With an April 12 date this year, registrations are now being taken for this year's “Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny” race
The Municipality of Port Hope and the Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny Committee are issuing their annual call for participants of all interest levels for this year's race down the Ganaraska River.
The event is set for Saturday, April 12.
Crazy Crafts return this year after a one-year hiatus (due to the Sylvan Glen reconstruction), along with canoes and kayaks with their usual excitement, creativity and community spirit.
New this year, the Inflatable category offers a shorter river-run option at the Optimist Park launch, providing an opportunity to join the race without constructing a complex craft – a great idea for first-time or younger participants.
Float Your Fanny is a signature celebration in the municipality, honouring the community coming together after an April 1980 flood that caused devastation in the downtown. Participants are challenged in a rigourous 10-km. Race down the might river to the finish line – where Fannyville, the outdoor event village, is set up to offer food, drink, merchant vendors, live entertainment, children's activities and live commentary of the race results prior to the presentation of awards for the finalists.
This will be the last year for co-chairs Barry Adamson and Barrileigh Price, who are excited to welcome everyone back to Fannyville and to offer all categories for this special year.
Mayor Olena Hankivsky called this beloved event “a defining tradition of Port Hope, drawing participants and spectators from near and far. Safety remains a top priority, and I extend my gratitude to our emergency services, staff and dedicated volunteers who make it all possible,” Hankivsky added.
“I look forward to another fantastic day of community spirit, excitement on the river, and time spent with friends and neighbours.”
The event plans have been reviewed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to ensure compliance with all policies and procedures to support the safety of the river's fish and wildlife habitats. And the municipality's fire and emergency services (in collaboration with multiple community emergency-service partners) are heavily involved in the safety planning and will be on-site at the event. Participants and spectators are expected to follow protocols and remain mindful and respectful of each other along the riverbank. The health and safety of the community remains top priority for the municipality and for event organizers.
Registration is now open at floatyourfanny.ca
Participants are reminded to review the information carefully and prepare accordingly for the smooth launch of your vessel and its safe travels on the fast and chilly Ganaraska waters.
For more information on Ganny Weekend fun for the whole family, visit porthope.ca/ganny-weekend
Organizers remind everyone that river and weather conditions occasionally force a postponement. While Float Your Fanny 2025 is slated for April 12, these conditions will be taken into account in the lead-up, with an alternative April 19 date if necessary.
