Our 349 registered paddlers from ten states and guests enjoyed a fabulous day at our 8th annual Blazing Paddles Riverfest on Saturday July 18, 2026, just days before Cleveland’s 230th birthday. Is there any better way to celebrate the river and the city that helped a young nation rise to global prominence (hello #America 250-Ohio) than a paddle on the historic & scenic comeback Cuyahoga River? Of all our guests, it seems the kayaking cat stole the show!

MANY thanks to our paddlers, super-volunteers, stakeholder partners, safety personnel, and SPONSORS for making our audacious vision for an immersive and authentic annual Cleveland waterfront festival a reality! Our Riverfront Expo presented by Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District presented non-paddling guests the opportunity to connect with local organizations and vendors. And yay for Collision Bend Brewing Co. for making our first-ever beer garden happen! Cleveland Fire’s fireboat, as they have done for every Blazing Paddles delivered a signature Cleveland waterfront photo-op with their water cannon salute to our paddlers!

Music Box Supper Club kept the riverfront vibe pumping with a free concert by Jah Messengers after our Riverfront Expo wrapped for the day.

Several galleries and videos are below for viewing! See you next year on Saturday, July 17, 2027 for the 9th Annual Blazing Paddles Riverfest. We have already begun planning for 2027 so if you are a Cleveland company that notices Share the River’s waterfront vibe, please reach out to us to schedule a meeting!