Since 1959, The Grants Pass Active Club has held Boatnik every Memorial Day weekend along the Rogue River in Grants Pass, Oregon. For more than 50 years families have enjoyed this five day event that supports the children and youth programs of the communities of Southern Oregon.

The activities start Thursday evening in Riverside Park with the Davis Shows Carnival featuring food, rides, games and family fun. The excitement continues Friday which includes a spectacular fire works display on the river. Saturday morning features the well-known Boatnik parade that travels through downtown and ends at Riverside Park. Throughout the weekend the festivities continue in the park where there are a whirlwind of activities that include: Sprint and Drag boat racing, carnival rides, arts and crafts, Papa John's pizza eating contest, children's activities, Bingo, food vendors, Monday Sundaes, the Chevy Drive It Home Golf Shoot Out and a second night of patriotic fireworks. Monday is the highlight of Boatnik featuring the World Famous Tom Rice Memorial White Water Hydroplane Race. Thousands of locals and visitors from around the world come to share the tradition and unique experience of Boatnik.

All funds raised by the Grants Pass Active Club from Boatnik are returned to the community by supporting local children and youth programs. Donations are made to: individual children, the 4H program, the Boys and Girls Club, the DARE Program, Girl and Boy Scouts of America, Pop Warner Football, American Little League Baseball, youth soccer programs, high school scholarships, local parks and school programs.

The Grants Pass Active Club has also purchased playground equipment for the All Sports Park, Morrison Park, and helped with donations to the American Legion Baseball field. In recent years, the Grants Pass Active Club has also helped many needy children and families during the Holiday season by purchasing toys, coats and other items. The list of contributions is quite extensive. Just ask around, you most certainly know someone who has benefited from the Active Clubs efforts.

Active Club members donate their time and resources throughout the year to make Boatnik the wonderful family event it is. Please join us in continuing this effort to make a difference in the lives of our children!

For more information visit the Boatnik Website