The acronym "FIBArk" stands for First in Boating in the Arkansas River - originally devised by a group of community members in the 1930's, many of them real estate agents, to draw attention to Salida and give an opportunity for local boaters to demonstrate their paddling skills.

Flash forward to today ... FIBArk is america's longest standing whitewater festival and in recent years, the FIBArk festival has drawn as many as 30,000 people to our small town of Salida, Colorado.

Through partnerships with generous local businesses, passionate individuals, and the City of Salida, FIBArk funds classes and equipment for both river safety and skill building.

The program is designed to introduce river concepts and experiences, teach skills and techniques, facilitate experiences and competitions, and develop lifelong river and river sport advocates.

Schedule of Events:

11:00 am: Colorado Cup and Freestyle Preliminaries - Boat Ramp Playhole
11:00 am: Surf Contest, Salida Whitewater Park
11:00 am: Riverside Park Open
11:00 am - 2:00 pm: Basketball free-throw Tournament - Sackett Ave and E St.
12:00 pm: Salida's Kids Got Talent - Riverside Park
12:00 pm: Rides Open
12:00 pm: Kids Zone Opens - Riverside Park
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: ColeTrain Music Pop Up - Kids Zone, Riverside Park
02:00 pm: Head to Head Raft Sprint - Salida Whitewater Park
03:15 pm: MUSIC: Drunken Hearts - Riverside Park Stage
04:00 pm: Head to Head SUP Cross - Salida Whitewater Park
04:00 pm: Head to Head Raft Sprint Awards - FIBArk Boathouse Deck
04:30 pm: Basketball free-throw Finals - Sackett Ave and E St.
05:30 pm: MUSIC: The Burroughs - Riverside Park Stage
06:00 pm: SUP Boxing - Salida Whitewater Park
06:00 pm: Head to Head Sup Cross Awards - Steamplant Pavillon
08:00 pm: Kids Zone Closes - Riverside Park
08:00 pm: MUSIC: HeartByrne - Riverside Park Stage
09:00 pm: Rides Close      
10:00 pm: Riverside Park and Rides Close