The historic festival event from June 13 -16 celebrating Salida’s 7oth anniversary of being the “First in Boating on the Arkansas” includes not just world-class whitewater competitions, but free family fun and fantastic music set at the amphitheater in Riverside Park.
Music is sponsored by Amicas Microbrew & Pizza (www.amicassalida.com/) and River Boat Works (www.riverboatworks.com) and includes an all-star lineup of the best music in the Arkansas River Valley and the state.
Music kicks off Thursday at 5 p.m. with the genre-bending Split Window and TRIBAL GOLD featuring The New Orleans Suspects with very special guest Big Chief Juan Padro headlining.
The Hooligan race is among the most popular FIBArk events. This year, due to extremely high water levels, it looks as if the race will be canceled. Photo courtesy of FIBArk event organization at www.fibark.com/river-events/hooligan-race.
The speakers start cranking again Friday at 3 p.m. with Gunnison jam-fusion quartet Alternative People, followed by blues sensation Blue Recluse, and a special headlining performance from “Jamaica’s most prolific rhythm section and production duo” Sly & Robbie with guest Mikayla Rose, according to Sly & Robbie’s official Facebook page.
Music resumes at noon on Saturday with the Floodgate Operators, followed by two sets from acclaimed Gunnison-based disco/jazz/funk- fusion sextet MILLK. In between MILLK’s two incendiary sets, East-coast based improvisational kings known as The Jauntee will bring their one-of-a-kind live show to Riverside Park.
With over 10 years of touring experiences, doing an average of 100 shows per year, including appearances at major festivals such as Peach Fest and Resonance, The Jauntee is upholding the mantel of authentic and unique improvisation with each live show.
The four-piece jam force hailing from New England is currently on tour promoting the upcoming release of their latest album Always Never Knowing. The 16-track compilation will feature choice cuts from the band’s “2017 two-night run at The Bridge Sound & Stage in Cambridge, MA”, according to the band’s official website (www.thejauntee.com/band).
Saturday will conclude with a raucous headlining performance from insurgent-country-rockers Cracker. With over 10 studio albums, multiple gold records, and almost a quarter-century of touring under their belts, Cracker delivers a country rock ‘n’ roll experience that will leave you on the edge of your kayak.
Described as everything from Americana to punk rock, Cracker combines the grit of country rock fusion with the authenticity of Western cowboy folk. Remarkable musicianship and thoughtful songwriting drive each song into your heart like a fence post. As the sun begins to fade, let Cracker take the reins of your heart for a ride by the river you won’t soon forget.
FIBArk will close out the festival at noon on Sunday with Clifton Hanger, followed by the dynamic all-woman quartet The Sweet Lillies at 1:30 p.m. Headliner JauntGrass takes the stage at 3:15 with what is sure to be a bluegrass-improvisational-jam band extravaganza.
The historical FIBArk downriver boat races started June 19, 1949, as a 57-mile race from Salida, through the treacherous Royal Gorge, to Cañon City. The course was so difficult that for many years less than 10 percent of boaters were able to finish in one piece. As its notoriety has grown, FIBArk continues to attract whitewater enthusiasts from across the globe, all vying for a piece of the river, and glory.
Today FIBArk welcomes people of all ages and whitewater skill levels to participate in the festival’s activities and events centered at the Salida Whitewater Park and throughout downtown Salida. No matter how visitors choose to celebrate the beautiful Arkansas River and the birth of whitewater sports in America, FIBArk and downtown Salida is the place to be this weekend.
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