Given that construction projects and the weather were not in Port Hope’s favour during the 2024 “Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny” annual event, organizers are committed to ensuring this year’s festival on Saturday, April 12th is one for the books.
That might just be possible given that this year’s festivities will see the return of the beloved Crazy Craft race as well as the all-new floaty category that was originally supposed to have debuted during last year’s festivities.
“Mother Nature did not cooperate last year, and we didn’t have much happening on the river,” says event co-chair Barrileigh Price. “Just the thought of coming back this year and being able to get the canoes and kayaks all the way down from start to finish and to be able to launch the Crazy Crafts is super exciting.”
Float Your Fanny has been an annual tradition since 1981 to commemorate a flood that devastated the downtown the year prior. On March 21, 1980, a torrential downpour caused the Ganaraska River to overflow and flood 66 acres of downtown Port Hope to depths up to 1.5 metres. Every bridge was washed out, as well as part of the Walton Street downtown and its buildings, and reportedly a child drowned in the flood.
Since then, Float Your Fanny has evolved into a 10-kilometre watercraft race with categories for canoes, kayaks, crazy crafts, and, now, floaties. Both a festival and a tourist attraction, the family-friendly celebration includes events throughout the town and the “Fannyville” outdoor event village full of entertainment, activities, and vendors.
The Crazy Craft race — where participating groups trave; down the river on rafts made from a combination of different items to form a floating vessel — will see its return to the river this year following last year’s hiatus due to the closure of the Sylvan Glen Bridge.
VIDEO: Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny – Port Hope, Ontario
The category has become one of the most beloved of the festival, as participants donning themed costumes never fail to amuse spectators as their rafts fall apart, flip over, entirely collapse, or otherwise leave them wet and submerged.
“They put a lot of time and effort into their costumes and their build, and a lot of them don’t test out their craft before they get there,” Price says. “It’s a really great thing just to see everybody with their creativity and their excitement.”
Price notes that in recent years, she has seen more and more older participants competing to celebrate a milestone like a birthday or retirement after having sat on the sidelines for a number of years.
“It’s a split of people participating that have been doing it for years — using the same craft with modifications or they bring in a new craft every year — and then you’ve got those people (with) bucket list items and are doing it for the very first time,” Price says. “We’re always looking to grow it bigger and to get more and more people out. The more intricate the crazy craft, the better the show.”
Weather permitting, the 2025 festival will see the first-ever floaty race (anything that is inflatable is eligible), which was intended to be the replacement for last year’s Crazy Craft before inclement weather caused the floaty race’s cancellation as well.
“It’s a bite-sized adventure,” Price says. “It could be a little daunting for somebody to have to think about building a crazy craft and then having to be on a cold river in April, but being able to go out buy some form of an inflatable, put some air in it, and spend 15 or 20 minutes floating down — it’s just a bite-sized taste of what the big adventure could be.”
Also returning is the free Fannyville event village, complete with a kids’ zone, vendors, live music, and more at the finish line at the Cavan Street and Barrett Street Bridge. The village has been a feature of the race during the last 15 years, ever since Price and her father Barry Adamson began to co-chair Float Your Fanny.
“I had a child under the age of two and a baby in my arms and it was very difficult for me to stand around waiting for the action, and waiting to watch my husband come down the river,” Price recalls. “We’ve spent the last fifteen years growing it — not just the river race, but a community festival.”
It’s one of the things she is most proud of now that she and her father are passing on the baton, retiring from chairing the event after this year’s race. Those interested in becoming involved are encouraged to reach out to Price and Adamson, and follow along this year to see the behind-the-scenes operations during the event.
A public meeting will be held for those interested in stepping into leadership roles, with details to be announced after this year’s race.
“It’s been so amazing to be a part of,” she says. “The best thing about it is being there on the day, and seeing so many community members coming out to just enjoy what Port Hope has to offer while having fun and cheering everybody on.”
“Barry and I may be stepping down, but we’re still very passionate about the event and we’re going to do whatever we can to support the new leadership. We’re looking forward to seeing where it goes.”
For more information about Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny and to register for the race, visit www.floatyourfanny.ca.
