By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
There were nearly 100 participants in kayaks, canoes and other watercraft taking part in Saturday’s Float the Allegheny.
The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored Float the Allegheny from the Portville launch on Steam Valley Road to Franchot Park, said the number of entrants bode well for a repeat of the event in 2025.
It was the Chamber’s second event of the 2024 season following last week’s citywide garage sale with 140 participants, said interim president Adam Jester.
Sweet Ride food truck provided food and refreshments at the put-in.
Participants dropped off kayaks and canoes and shuttled vehicles to the takeout before the first watercraft started down the nearly 5-mile river route about 10:30 a.m.
Members of the Allegany and Westons Mills swift water rescue teams helped people get into the water safely from the kayak launch and the cement launch. There were also members of the swift water teams stationed along the route and Olean firefighters helped people from the river at Franchot Park.
Jester thanked the firefighters for the added safety for their presence in Float the Allegheny. “We had firemen from all three companies working together. We are very appreciative of the element of safety they provided.”
Out on the river, Shivon Vee of Olean, a Los Angeles community college English professor who teaches remotely, said she has been kayaking for about five years.
She said she became obsessed with kayaking after moving to Olean two years ago.
“I always wanted to go with a large group, so this is great,” Vee said.
Floating nearby were Alicia Pearl of Humphrey and Annabell Sisson of Portville.
It was Pearl’s first time in a kayak on the river. She usually paddles on area lakes including Cuba Lake and Case Lake in Franklinville. She works for BOCES and won the ticket at a drawing. Sisson said Pearl talked her into going on Float the Allegheny.
“We wanted to draw attention to both Portville and Franchot Park,” Jester said. Several vendors including Sweet Ride, Zet’s and Four Mile Brewing were set up at Franchot Park for the afterparty from 2-5 p.m.
Two Guys Drinking Beer provided music and local vendors were set up with a range of products. The Chamber also had a wide range of merchandise.
The Twin Tiers Disc Golf Club was also at the afterparty to play a round or two with participants and the public.
