Events set for weekend in Ironton

The Ohio River Way is proud to announce the return of the Ohio River Way Challenge, an 11-day paddling expedition taking place, starting Saturday and running until May 15.

Now in its fifth year, the Challenge invites participants to paddle nearly 300 miles in 30-foot voyageur canoes, beginning near Ashland, Kentucky and Ironton, and concluding in Louisville, Kentucky.

A kickoff party for the event will take place at Patties & Pints in Ironton at 5 p.m. on Sunday, while the paddlers will be at the Ironton riverfront between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Rick Jansen, director of the Lawrence-Scioto County Solid Waste District, said.

Along the route, participants will engage with local leaders and residents, celebrating river-based recreation while strengthening regional partnerships. The Challenge also serves as a platform for emerging student leaders, who take part in community and environmental projects that support vibrant river towns and healthy ecosystems.

New for 2025, the Challenge will feature the RESTORE Lab — a floating research and photography station based on a 60-foot houseboat. The lab will serve as the expedition’s mobile base for safety, media and ecological monitoring, providing hands-on opportunities for participants to conduct biodiversity assessments, monitor water quality and document the Ohio River’s islands and riparian habitats.

Each day, paddlers cover up to 35 miles before camping overnight and dining at local eateries — offering a fully immersive experience in the culture, history, and beauty of the Ohio River region. To ensure accessibility, the Ohio River Way is waiving participation fees for university students from Marshall University, The Ohio State University, Shawnee State University, Eastern Kentucky University and University of Kentucky.

Community members are invited to join the Ohio River Way team as it stops in local communities. For more details, contact the Challenge coordinator, Mary Feldkamp, at challenge@ohioriverway.org or call executive director, Forest Clevenger, at 502-777-5314. You can also visit ohioriverway.org/ohio-river-way-challenge.