Event Description

The canoefest festival events and fireworks will be held at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

Canoefest starts at the Brookville Lake Tailwaters, beneath the Brookville Lake Dam. This area is under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, and is not a public put in for boats. Canoefest is allowed to start there under a special permit FOR RACE DAY ONLY. Those putting in at the Brookville Lake Tailwaters at other times are breaking the law and subject to enforcement and penalties.

The primary purpose of the Brookville Lake is flood control, both locally, and nationally, as a part of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers flood control. Water release from the dam can be very low, or dangerously high, with little notice in between. On race day, the US Army Corps of Engineers graciously give us a flow that paddlers love, and is not only fun, but safe and consistent. On other days there is no such assurance. Thus putting in at this location is not only illegal, it is dangerous.

All donations received will be distributed to local 501.c.3 charities in Franklin County!