While FIBArk gained recognition as a kayak race, the raft races added in the 70’s are just as popular with spectators who line the Arkansas River during the FIBArk festival. Rafting has become a major industry and summer sport in the Heart of the Rockies, and the raft race has given river runners a chance to compete with each other.

Since 1995, the Whitewater Freestyle competition has been part of the FIBArk festivities. With the development of small, light kayaks paddlers are able to perform acrobatics in the water. The boaters must complete feats, such as standing on end and spins to accumulated points. In 1998, the FIBArk Freestyle contest gained national ranking. “Trophy moves” are scored on style, variety and the ability to do moves in either direction.

As whitewater paddling evolves, FIBArk honors the events past and looks forward to accommodating the boating needs of the future and changes in the sport. Recently a Boater X event was added to the FIBArk line-up, which involves 4 boaters racing a rough stretch of river water at the same time!

As interest in whitewater sports has grown through the FIBArk years, changes have been made to enhance the Riverfront which have created areas where boaters can train, perform and compete and areas where spectators and festival participants can better watch and enjoy the total event.

In 1966 a bulldozer pushed boulders around the Arkansas River to make a more difficult slalom course, in 1988 boulders were dropped in the river from the F St. Bridge to create a kayak playhole and Salida completed building a boat ramp next to the FIBArk Boathouse. In 1992 the FIBArk club worked to create a year-round slalom course and kayak playground in the river in front of the FIBArk Boathouse. Riverfront changes have been dramatic in the last 5 years, when trails and spectator seating have been developed along the river bank and a new amphitheater has been built in Riverside Park.

The FIBArk festival is unique because the river venue is located close to the town of Salida and the boaters and the spectators can share in the magnitude of events available during the weekend. The boaters, known as paddlers, are dedicated athletes in their sport. In the 50’s foreign boaters helped introduce kayaking in Colorado, and as a result kayaking gained popularity on all the big American whitewater rivers. Years of training and discipline are necessary to become proficient in this difficult and dangerous sport and it takes a serious dedication for a paddler to become a champion. Over time, American paddlers have had the opportunity to compete on a national and international level. Many of the competitors in FIBArk, including paddlers from Salida, have qualified for the US National Whitewater Team and traveled to Europe to compete. Through the FIBArk years the boaters and the organizers have worked together to create a challenging, fun and safe race that is enjoyable for everyone. Very often, the local boaters have become a part of the FIBArk Board of Directors and have been Commodores. The importance of the Boater-Board relationship is critical to keeping FIBArk aware of boating needs and changes in the sport.

FIBArk is celebrating its 61th year, and the historic three-day weekend event has now turned into almost an entire week of river and community activities. The momentum of FIBArk is contagious. Every year, individuals, families, groups and businesses contribute to the festivities. The timeline shows that the downriver race and the FIBArk parade have occurred every year from 1949 to 2008. A Boat Race Queen reigned until 1971 when a hostesses/hosts program shared the royalty responsibilities for 26 years. In 1997, a FIBArk Queen was chosen from the hostesses and in 2002 a scholarship Paddler Program was established. The D&RG Special train ran from 1949 until 1967 and the first Hooligan Race, “anything that floats that’s not a boat”, began in 1955. Golf tournaments and car races were run in the 50’s and the first carnival set up in 1957. A rodeo was held in conjunction with FIBArk in the 60’s, and an aerial show took place for many years at the airport. In 1964 a sidewalk bazaar, fishing contest, international dance exhibition, a kayak water polo contest were added to the festivities. The 70’s introduced the Sertoma Service Club Breakfast, entertainment in Riverside Park, the Tenderfoot Hill Climb and a 10K foot races, all which have all continued to this date. Two bicycle races, quilting, beer tasting, airbands, karaoke, windsurfing, jell-o wrestling, burrow racing and Art in the Park were additions made through the 80’s, and in 1991 a Rubber Duck Race was introduced as a fundraiser for the Salida Chamber of Commerce.

More recent additions to the festival are the sponsorship of New Belgium Brewing and the introduction of a “Cleaner Greener” Festival that encourages responsibility and stewardship of the environment. A Skateboard Showdown, a Crazy River Dog Race, a climbing wall competition, and a Kid’s Oasis are also currently included.

In the 90’s, many traditional events were re-introduced as FIBArk turned 50 years old and emphasis was made on documenting the rich FIBArk history when Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) chose FIBArk as a Local Legacy of Colorado for the Library of Congress Bicentennial 1800–2000. Now, in its 61st year, FIBArk continues in its long tradition to celebrate its past, experience the present, and embrace its future. With a theme of “Folks in Boats”, the 2009 FIBArk Board is helping to promote the history and future of white water paddling in the United States. The Kent Ford film, The Call of the River, will play twice during the Festival, Sue Tafts’ book, The River Chasers, will be available for sale, and a History of Slalom Racing is presented in the 2009 FIBArk Event Program. This year also marks the second year of the FIBArk Hall of Fame.

Every year in June, during the Arkansas River runoff, a festival occurs called FIBArk. The festival focuses on whitewater boat races and paddlers from around the world come to compete. The town is consumed with FIBArk. Every person who lives in Salida is involved as a merchant, a volunteer, or a spectator and people who come from out of town fill Salida to the brim to witness one of the premier boat races in North America.

The festival is presented by a group of dedicated people who volunteer their time to organize the event and annually a Board of Directors is chosen to plan, promote and present all the weekend activities. The FIBArk event would not be possible, however, without the support of literally hundreds of people in the community who help as event sponsors and volunteers. The 2009 New Belgium FIBArk Board of Directors thanks everyone again for their contribution and support toward this wonderful whitewater festival.

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