Category Archives: wooden boat parade

Celebrate a McKenzie River Tradition

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Each spring, the McKenzie River comes alive with one of its most cherished traditions—the McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festival. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 25th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Eagle Rock Lodge, bringing together boat builders, guides, anglers, and river enthusiasts for a day dedicated to the history and culture of the McKenzie.

The day begins upriver with a boat parade launching from Finn Rock Boat Landing at 9:00 a.m. A collection of old and new wooden drift boats will make their way downstream to Eagle Rock Lodge, offering a unique opportunity to witness these iconic vessels in motion. Attendees can choose to participate in the float or simply gather at the lodge to watch the boats arrive along the riverbank.

Once ashore, the festival continues with a variety of activities that highlight the traditions and stewardship of the McKenzie River. Visitors can explore a display of handcrafted wooden boats, watch live fly-tying demonstrations, and learn more about the river’s history and ongoing conservation efforts. The event also provides a chance to connect with members of the local guiding community and others who share a deep connection to the river.

The festival is free to attend, with optional lunch tickets available for purchase. Proceeds from food sales and merchandise benefit the McKenzie River Guides Association (MRGA), supporting initiatives such as our nationally-recognized life jacket loaner program, fish planting in partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and maintenance of local boat landings. MRGA merchandise will also be available, along with complimentary stickers and patches while supplies last.

The McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festival reflects a tradition that spans more than a century, rooted in craftsmanship, community, and care for the river. For those who appreciate time on the water—whether rowing, fishing, or simply relaxing—it offers a meaningful way to celebrate the season and support the people who help preserve this place.

Bring friends and family, and spend the day along the river enjoying one of the McKenzie’s most enduring traditions.

Save the Dates this Spring

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Guides and Judges at 2011 Boat Rodeo and Cook-Off

Guides and Judges at 2011 Boat Rodeo and Cook-Off

Be part of some great events in 2013 w/ The McKenzie Guides Association!

April 13th The Annual Guides Wives Dinner and Auction at The Valley River Inn.

April 20th The Annual McKenzie Boat Rodeo & Outdoor Cook-Off at Hendricks Bridge Park.

April 27th McKenzie Wooden Boat Festival at Eagle Rock Lodge

May 18th and 19th Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival at Carter Bridge, Clackamas River. Come see Driftboat Sunday!

McKenzie River Film Festival

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Come out and watch two veteran guildes and legends of the river speak at the McKenzie River Film Festival Saturday October 13th at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Bijou Theater in Eugene, OR. Dave Helfrich will be presenting movies and a slide show of past McKenzie River White Water Parades and other still photographs of film crew photographs of movies made on the McKenzie River and LeRoy Pruitt will show and narrate Shooting the Deschutes, the movie shown at the 1939 Worlds Fair.

The film festival will span three days October 12-13-14th. Brandi Ferguson, Development Manager for the Trust says, “As a nonprofit regional land conservation group, our mission is to help preserve the unique landscapes that surround us and so for our annual event this year we are offering a film festival that will connect the audience to our stunning Oregon landscapes through film.”
Opening Night will be Friday, October 12th, at the Wildish Theater in Springfield. It is a catered event including speakers and features a generous sneak peek at Willamette Futures, a documentary currently in production. Tickets are $45, with purchase by Friday, October 5th.

On Saturday, the festival will move to the Bijou Art Cinemas in Eugene with a full day of films, speakers and the festival hub.
What was it like to live along the McKenzie River in the early to mid 1900s? In partnership with the UO Environmental Leadership Program, the Trust will present McKenzie Memories – short films and rare images of early settlers, river log drives, the iconic McKenzie White Water Boat Parade and more with special guest speakers Roy Pruitt, Dave Helfrich and Ken Engelman. “The McKenzie River, it’s people, boats, timber and communities, has had a profound historical influence on Oregon and the rest of the United States ; the Living River Film Festival hosted by our local land conservation group, is a great way to learn about and celebrate the rich heritage of our community,” says Randy Dersham, co-owner of Eagle Rock Lodge.

The festival will continue on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with a free Family Film and Activity Day at EWEB’s River Edge Plaza in Eugene.
“Since 2009, the McKenzie River Trust has offered an event each year under the ‘Living River’ name, exploring the relationship between people, rivers, and the land,” says Joe Moll, Executive Director for the Trust. “We hope these films and the conversations around them encourage support for the responsible stewardship of Oregon’s wealth of land and water.”

Tickets are available online at mckenzieriver.org