Participants have fun at the Rieger Regatta that took place on the Susquehanna River last year on Aug. 2. (Photo by Wendy Post and transport on Party Boat for photo provided by Kathy Nichols)
In the early 1980s in Tioga County, N.Y., rafting on the Susquehanna was a large event that attracted many from the region to descend down the winding Susquehanna River on their homemade crafts. But the river rafting soon ended until Jeffrey Rieg, a 1985 Owego Free Academy graduate, prompted a revival of sorts.
This revival, according to Rieg, took off slowly, and has grown every year with hundreds of participants expected to arrive with their crafts. In fact, some travel from as far north as Alaska and as far south as Florida for this event.
On Aug. 1, beginning in the early morning hours at the Hickories Park boat launch in Owego, N.Y., the Rieger Regatta will kick off, and the rafts will spend about 10 hours on the water as they make their way to the boat launch by the Highway Department in Nichols, N.Y. at the conclusion of the event. From there, according to Rieg, participants will have their rides pick them up to take them back to Owego, and the rafts will be pulled out of the water at the Nichols boat launch once their vehicles are secured.
This event is an opportunity for residents to go to downtown Owego and just sit along the Riverwalk to see the spectacle of rafts as they pass by – although it takes several hours for most to get there. With some launches at 8 a.m. or even earlier, it could be 11 a.m. or later before they arrive down by the Court Street Bridge.
For most participants, the work begins by taking old 55-gallon drums, or similar buoys, and then using plywood, 2x4s, or pallets. They are built, primarily, like boats, although Rieg noted that some participate in kayaks, canoes, and even pool floats. The rafts also have make shift bathrooms to accommodate the long hours on the river.
And most, Rieg noted, are built creatively, with furniture and slides, pirate flags and creative banners. He also added that for his own build it only takes a couple days – once he gets going on it.
At the center of the Regatta, is the party barge – a spectacle for onlookers who witness the rafters as they descend down the river.
“It’s a relaxing, drama free day,” Rieg said in a previous interview, noting that going down the Susquehanna on a raft reveals the river’s beauty.
Following the event, the participants clean the boat launches, and then Rieg returns to check the river and launches to ensure that nothing is left behind.
For onlookers, you will be able to see them throughout the day on the river in a spectacle reminiscent to the old days of river rafting. You can learn more about their effort on Facebook under “The 5th Annual Rieger Regatta.” You can also contact Jeffrey Rieg by calling (607) 765-8729.
