Norma Moreiko of Scranton has been kayaking for four years and loves paddling down the Lackawanna River.
She has heard about the river's former pollution, and she marveled about its comeback during the Lackawanna River Corridor Association's 26th annual RiverFest on Saturday in Scranton.
"They said you could have stuck a spoon into this river years ago," Ms. Moreiko said after finishing a 12-mile kayak trip. "I'm so happy with what they've done with the Lackawanna River. I think it could really morph into a recreation asset for Lackawanna County."
And that's a key goal of the annual event, which is the association's premier fundraiser to benefit the river coursing through Lackawanna County, said association President Anita Lohin.
With a focus on environmental issues affecting the river and recreational opportunities, the association organizes and promotes RiverFest as part of its mission to shine a spotlight on the Lackawanna.
"It's a day for people to come out and appreciate the asset we have here in the Lackawanna River," said Ms. Lohin, noting that decades ago the waterway was known for its pollution. "It was yellow or green (depending on what had been dumped into it). So it's come a long way."
The water on Saturday was cool and clear though a bit shallow in spots, said several participants in the RiverFest's Canoe-A-Thon, which ended at West Olive Street.
Paddlers launching from either Blakely Borough Recreation Complex or Maslyar Park in Archbald noted that, at times, they had to get out and push their vessels in shallow areas. However, some spots were more challenging. Steve Brunetti of Archbald said that he and his son, Luke, flipped their canoe but managed to emerge mostly unscathed.
"A couple of bumps, but we made it," Steve Brunetti said.
Organizers were surprised that just three teams entered self-styled watercraft in the regatta. Members of the West Side Neighbors Association dressed like zombies and worked their way down the river in interconnected inner tubes. After coming ashore, they launched a zombie-style attack on the operators of Heritage Explorer Bike Tour's watercraft, named Bike-a-Canoe-a-Thing. It didn't prevent the bike/canoe team from winning the top prize, four tickets to the Pocono 400.
The RiverFest also included a Duck-A-Thon, as well as music and entertainment.
Mike Davanzo of Bath, who canoed the 8-mile stretch with James Weaver of Scranton, said, "We've been doing this a bunch of years. It's just a great time on the river."
Staff writer DAVID FALCHEK contributed to this report.
Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com, @jlockwoodTT on Twitter
Canoe race
Blakely launch site
-Female kayaker: Amy Hnat
-Male kayaker: Joe Walsh
-Two-man canoe team: Eduardo Paz and Steve Kilmer
-Two-woman canoe team: Lindsay Burak and Erin Travis
-Mixed canoe team: Sabrina Abbott and Jordon Abbott
-Adult and child canoe team: Ralph Caputo and Brandon Caputo
-Youth canoe team: Felicia Martin and Emily Jeschke
Archbald launch site
-Female kayaker: Norma Moreiko
-âMale kayaker: Chaz Ross
-Two-man canoe team: Joe Toczydlowski and Tim Borick
-Two-woman canoe team: Phileshia Dombroski and Kelly vanDen Berg
-Mixed canoe team: Ronald Imdorf and Heather Ofak
-Adult and child canoe team: Andrew Phillips and Roy Phillips
-Youth canoeist: Sam Borick
Regatta
-1st: The Bike-a-Canoe-a-Thing, Heritage Bike Tour
-2nd: Children's Learning Center Folbot, the Franchetti Family
-3rd: Zombie Detour, West Scranton Neighborhood Association