Did you know that The French Broad River is the third oldest river in the world?
Have you ever floated down Section 9? In my experience there are not many better ways to get away from the fast pace of modern life and to see this beautiful part of the world that we live in the way the Cherokees saw it, who actually called this section of the river Tahkeyostee (“where they race”).
After several hours on the river, you arrive in the little town of Hot Springs, where throughout the 19th century a stream of wealthy visitors came via railroad to “take the waters” and enjoy the luxury hotels built adjacent to the thermal springs, along the banks of the French Broad.
Today the Appalachian Trail runs right down Main St., and the surrounding area offers abundant recreational opportunities including whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, fishing and mountain biking.
19 years ago Chris Donochod and Mark Mickey, while paddling down Section 9, thought it would be fun to “race” down with friends and then have a party at the takeout in Hot Springs with any proceeds from the party going to the non-profit American Whitewater. Chris and Mark came from different backgrounds, but these guys had become fast friends exploring all the whitewater this area has to offer. With the help of a few friends, the 1st French Broad River Festival took place on a beautiful Saturday in May of 1998.
Fast forward to 2016 and as spring approaches you’re liable to see these same guys squeezing time from their busy schedules to get together and iron out the details of the “River Festival,” which has grown to a weekend outdoor music festival encompassing the entire Hot Springs Campground.
In addition to a weekend of music on multiple stages and the whitewater raft race, there is now a mountain bike race, a kid’s village (with inflatables), kid’s bike race, parade, yoga sessions, trapeze artists, fire jugglers, and multiple arts, outdoor and food vendors, and a river cleanup with NOC, Riverlink and Sierra Nevada.
In addition, more than $200,000 has been donated to charities including American Whitewater, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of WNC, Caring for Children, Homeward Bound, Hope for Holt, Manna Food Bank, Hot Springs Community Learning Center, and others.
In an area of multiple outdoor music festivals, there are many reasons the French Broad River Festival have thrived while retaining their “grassroots” feel: Relative to other weekend music festivals this festival is affordable, and isn’t organized by full-time promoters with a goal of big profits.
The festival takes place at the Hot Springs Campground & Spa in historic Hot Springs, NC. It is in an incredible setting by the French Broad River, in fact right where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail.
Where else could you have the choice to go whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking on the AT, swimming, fishing, or spending quality time with your family and then enjoy a relaxing soak by the river and see great music?
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If You Go: French Broad River Festival, Friday, April 29. Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets include camping, music, registration fees for whitewater and biking events (you must have your own boat/bike). Ticket prices: $100 before 4/20/16; $110 at the gate (if available). Children under 12 get in free.
Parking $50 inside festival, or park free just outside. Reserve a camp site by calling the Hot Springs Campground & Resort at (828) 622-7676. For more details, email frenchbroadfest@gmail.com, call (828) 230-4054, or visit www.FrenchBroadRiverFestival.com.