Port Hope is gearing up for its largest tradition of the year, where water lovers and creatives come from all over to float down the Ganaraska River — or try to, anyway.
But at this year’s ‘Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny’ event on Saturday, April 13th, things are running a little differently with the cancellation of a crowd favourite: the Crazy Craft race.
While the canoe, kayak, and paddleboard race will launch as usual from the Canton bridge, due to last summer’s closure of the Sylvan Glen Bridge for a $2.3-million replacement, the organizing committee decided there was no suitable alternative launch location for the Crazy Craft race, where participants travel down the Ganaraska River on handmade wacky rafts.
In its place, the 42nd annual event will see a new experience for this year only called “Floaty Your Fanny,” where participants will launch inflatable floaties from Optimist Park for a shorter run down the rapids section. Whether the boat is a giant unicorn, air mattress, or inflatable raft, so long it’s a soft-sided vessel “requiring air to keep its dimensions,” it can be entered in the event.
“We had the choice to either cancel it or find something else to try, and we decided that we would try something new to keep the tradition going and see if we could still have some fun,” says committee co-chair Barry Adamson, who notes the new inflatables category provides an accessible way for people to take part without having to design their own vessel.
“It’s a fun way for people that have it on their bucket list to participate and makes it just a little easier,” he says. “They just have to buy something and they can try it out — hopefully getting some calm waters to go over the great rapids.”
Though it’s a family-fun day that draws boisterous crowds, the Float Your Fanny tradition began as a commemorative event to rally the community in resilience following a natural disaster more than four decades ago.
On March 21, 1980, the town was hit with a torrential downpour that, combined with the still-frozen ground and blocked storm drains and sewers, resulted in the Ganaraska River overflowing its banks and flooding 66 acres of downtown Port Hope to depths up to 1.5 metres. With the water’s velocity, every bridge was washed out, as well as part of Walton Street downtown, damaging buildings and reportedly causing the drowning of a child.
Beginning the following year, the town has gathered annually for the event which ultimately evolved into what it is today: an attraction with a 16-kilometre canoe, kayak, and paddleboard race, a 10-kilometre Crazy Craft race (except for 2024), awards and prizes, the “Fannyville” outdoor event village full of entertainment and activities, and fun events throughout the town. For Port Hope locals and those nearby, it’s become a beloved tradition.
“We love everything about it,” says long-time participant Brigetta Balling, who is already looking forward to racing in a canoe with her husband while her young children cheer her on.
The Newtonville resident has been competing since she was a teenager, having first participated about 20 years ago after her father read about the event in the newspaper while living in Leskard. For her first one, she and her friend decorated their kayaks to look like bunnies for Easter.
“I remember it snowed on our first day, but I did it and since that time, I’ve loved it,” she says. “Even though it was different back then — we didn’t have the crowds we do now, we didn’t have the cheering — we loved it.”
Aside from the hiatus during the pandemic, as well as when she was pregnant, Balling has continued to join the event year after year, doing everything from the double and solo kayak races, to canoeing with her children and creating boats for the Crazy Craft.
“The crowds are mostly there for the entertainment from the Crazy Craft, so I hope we still get a good crowd,” Balling says, admitting she’ll disappointed not to see some of the rafts she has come to recognize for the past 20 years.
“I know that a lot of people are going to be missing it because maybe they don’t have the right boats to do (the other races), which is why they get creative and do the Crazy Craft. I’ll be missing that part — how unique people make their crafts.”
Though she didn’t know about it, when informed about the new inflatable category, Balling was immediately excited.
“I think that’s great that they’re trying to fill a space that was going to turn people away,” she says. “I think that’s wonderful and so creative. I’m happy to hear that.”
Even without the Crazy Craft race, the committee is still encouraging people to get creative with their floaties as there will still be the usual awards and prizes. Participants are welcome to attach multiple floaties together using flexible materials, and there’s no limit to how many people can be on the floaties — so long as they stay afloat, of course.
“We have all the categories of awards if somebody wants to come in with a theme and a whole bunch of people all do the same thing,” he says, adding that he expects many will likely race amongst themselves. “We’ll help start them up and say ‘go’, and then they can decide at the end who wins. We expect it’s going to happen because there’s a lot of spirit (among) racers out there that are going to try this new event.”
For those looking to get involved, Canadian brand Float-Eh is giving 20 per cent discounts on floaty purchases for participants and will be providing the event prizes. Follow Float Your Fanny on Facebook for more information.
Despite not having the Crazy Craft race, all other traditions will be in place for the afternoon, including the fun-filled Fannyville at Cavan Street and Barrett Street Bridge from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. where spectators can watch the races while enjoying live music, listening to commentators, and browsing the vendors. Also open are the Adventure Zone and the Kids Zone, where kids can still make their own crazy craft out of popsicle sticks and styrofoam as well as participate in other activities.
“We’re planning Fannyville to be just the same as it was, or bigger and better,” says Adamson.
Other events around town will carry on in tradition, including the Float Ur Funny Comedy “Game Show” Festival, running every Friday from April 5 to 26 at the Ganaraska Hotel. Local bars and restaurants will also be serving up special deals and discounts throughout the Float Your Fanny weekend.
While the Sylvan Glen Bridge is expected to be open again next year so the Crazy Craft race can return, the committee is not opposed to continuing the new inflatable experience — but not at the expense of the beloved Crazy Craft race.
“If it was well-received, we could (do it again),” Adamson says. “It will take more manpower to manage, but we could fit it in if it was well-received — but we’re not trying to take away from the Crazy Craft.”
For the full Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny schedule, visit www.floatyourfanny.ca.
