The City of Crystal River and Hunter Springs Kayaks have partnered to bring a new event to downtown Crystal River. 

In conjunction with the popular Movie at the Beach series hosted by the City, Hunter Springs Kayaks is introducing a Costume Parade and Contest to take place on kayaks and paddleboards in Hunters Springs Cove on Saturday, October 26, 2019.  Will you join the adventure?

The paddle craft costume parade event will start with registration at 4:00 pm, followed by the parade and contest at 5:30 pm on the water, a children’s costume parade will be held on the boardwalk at 6:00 pm and the movie, “Beetlejuice” will begin at sundown. 

Have you ever thought about what you would be if you could float?

There have been Paddle craft Costume Parades across the world for several years now. They are a fun way to combine the love of paddle sports with the excitement of pretending you’re someone or something for a few hours. People have costumed themselves in a myriad of ways, from Captain America to a shepherd with their dog being a sheep. Check Google Images for some entertaining ideas.

In Portland Oregon, there is now an annual witch paddle down the river. They paddle along, “casting spells.” At the event, they collect coats and clothing to donate to local nonprofits. The first event had about 30 participants, but over 200 are expected in 2019.

Which brings us to the questions of you would be; a shark, a clown, Harry Potter, a pumpkin, Power Ranger, Mickey or Minnie, or a swim princess? The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!

“Wait! Is that Dave Perry paddling around Hunter Springs as a dinosaur?”

Come out to City of Crystal River’s Movies at the Beach for Wet or Dry Family Fun

Come out to this fun event on October 26 in costume whether you paddle or not! See what kind of crazy paddlers we get to vote on, and enjoy a free screening of the 1988 classic, “Beetlejuice.”

While you are at Hunter Springs Park, donate to Cayla’s Coats to help Nature Coast kids stay safe at the water.

The costume parade will take place at 5:30 pm and is open to all to participate.  To enter the costume contest, participants can make a $10 donation to Cayla’s Coats at the Hunter Springs Kayaks tent at the park. Your picture will be taken on the water and posted on Facebook, where votes will be taken, and the winner(s) announced on October 31.

Registration for the Paddlecraft Costume Contest will begin at 4:00 pm, followed by the paddle parade at 5:30 pm on the water. A children’s costume parade will be held on the boardwalk 6:00 pm and the movie, “Beetlejuice” will begin at sundown. 

Be a Part of the 1^st Hunter Springs Paddle Craft Costume Contest and Parade

Participants are encouraged to choose a costume that can be worn while paddling on a paddleboard or in a kayak.  The parade will follow one giant loop through the cove at Hunter Springs Park so all event guests will be able to view it from the beach at Hunter Springs Park. 

Board and kayak rentals are available at the Park through Hunter Springs Kayaks. The cost is $30 for a paddle craft rental includes costume contest donation to Cayla’s Coats and the ability to paddle from 4 – 630 pm.

“We are excited to partner with the City for a fun event like this.  We came across the idea earlier this year and posted it to our Facebook and the response was incredible.  We hope to get lots of participation from residents and those within the Nature Coast area,” said Hunter Springs Kayak owner Dave Perry. 

Cayla’s Coats is Committed to Keeping Local Kids Safe around Water and Warm

Cayla’s Coats is a local nonprofit committed to the cause of water safety and drowning prevention that was started in memory of Cayla Barnes. Cayla drowned one afternoon in the waters of Homosassa at the age of 1. Cayla’s Coats works to also provide coats for children and adults, both on and off the water, working to provide winter coats to those in need as well as life jackets to children and adults.

The organization debuted its first Life Jacket Loaner Station at Ft. Island Gulf Beach February 2018, in partnership with the Board of County Commissioners. In September, Dennis Johnson Boy Scout Troop 452 out of Beverly Hills assisted Cayla’s Coats with their next Life Jacket Loaner Station at Hernando Beach and Boat Ramp. It was built for his Eagle Scout Project.

Movies on the Beach by the City of Crystal River features Beetlejuice October 26

Beetlejuice is a popular comedy/fantasy movie from 1988 that stars Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, and Alec Baldwin. Its storyline features the spirits of a genteel, deceased couple being harassed by an unbearable family that has moved into their home, so the quiet couple hire a malicious spirit to drive them out. Beetlejuice was chosen by a popular vote conducted on the City of Crystal River’s social media sites. It is rated PG.

For more information on the Paddle Craft Costume Parade event, visit the City of Crystal River-Government or Hunter Springs Kayaks Facebook pages.