The Rock River Anything That Floats Race is returning to the Rockford region in August 2024
News release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Rock River Raft Race NFP Steering Committee proudly announces that the 2024 Rock River Anything That Floats Race will set sail from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18.
Since 1976, thousands of racers have floated their dreams downstream on our beautiful Rock River, and it is time once again to gather friends, family and coworkers to imagine and build your dream vessels for this year’s event.
Those who don’t float can cheer on the racers from an endless number of riverside perches between the Auburn Street bridge and the Finish Line at Prairie Street Brewing Co.
Event details can be found on the race website: rratfr.com
Rain date in the event of bad weather is Sunday, Aug. 25.
BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY
The Rock River Anything That Floats Race all-volunteer steering committee is proud to plan and produce this incredibly fun annual event. We love seeing Rockford’s ingenuity and thirst for fun come shining through each August. When financial circumstances allow, we share proceeds with other local not-for-profits like the Fourth of July Celebration, Loves Park Ski Broncs, Rock River Trail, Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful and others. Since relaunching the race in 2017, we have shared approximately $20,000 in proceeds.
RAFT RACE DIVISIONS: DIY & HULLED CRAFT
Racers can choose from two Race Divisions:
- Do It Yourself (DIY): This is the division for the handy craftsmen and women among us who wish to design, build and test their customized rafts. Your imagination is your limit!
- Hulled Craft: If you want to race but you don’t have an unlimited amount of time to build your raft from scratch, you can use a hulled craft as a base and decorate an existing floating vessel (with no motor). Jon boat? Yep! Rowboat? You bet. Canoe? Why not?
- Details at rratfr.com
PRIZES
Entrants in both divisions compete for First, Second, and Third place prizes for Fastest Raft as well the coveted People’s Choice and Frank Schier Design and Creativity Judges Choice awards to determine the most creative designs.
SIGN UP TODAY!
Local area businesses, clubs, students and groups of individuals are encouraged to sign up and make this event a fun team-building experience. To register, visit rratfr.com.
The registration deadline is August 12, 2024. The entry fee is $100 per team (up to 10 crew members) and $50 per team for Student Teams (must be currently enrolled in an educational institution) and Not-for-Profit Organization teams.
RELEASE THE QUACKIN’!
Returning to this year’s event will be the popular dockside Release The Quackin’ in which race attendees of all ages fire toy yellow ducks at a mid-river floating target with a giant dock-mounted slingshot at Prairie Street Brewing Co. Prizes are won and fun is had by participants and spectators at this one-of-a-kind event-within-an-event.
H2-Oh! ENVIRONMENTAL FAMILY FUN FAIR
Bring the kids and join the professional Staff of Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful and other local organizations to learn the ways of water and explore the habitat along the Rock River. Take a watery quiz, drip some drops, make something float and more! It’s a great way to boost children’s eco-knowledge and fun for kids of all ages! H2-Oh! Will take place at the riverside YMCA Boathouse on the south end of the Rock River Recreation Path.
RACE SCHEDULE
Race day schedule of events includes:
- 10:00 a.m.: Sign-in starts (all categories)
- 11:00-4:00 H2-Oh! Environmental Family Fun Fair at the YMCA boathouse
- 12:00 p.m.: Race begins at the Auburn Street bridge
- 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Release the Quackin’ on the dock at Prairie Street Brewing Company
- 4:00 p.m.: Awards ceremony at Prairie Street Brewhouse
“On the Raft Race Steering Committee, we meet year ‘round,” said Jay Graham, Steering Committee Member. “But late winter is when our planning processes really pick up and we start to get excited to see what kind of creative surprises this year’s racers will produce. Rockford is such a creative city and we love watching people shine on race day, whether they’re floating on the river or cheering from shore. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
THE COURSE & THE RACE
The race course is 1.65 miles in length and ends in a grand finish at Prairie Street Brewhouse. The scenic course offers a variety of viewing options for thousands of spectators who will attend: Auburn Street Bridge, the Whitman Street Bridge, all along the Rock River Recreation Path and at Prairie Street Brewing Co. Race Day is also a big day for local clubs like Lombardi and Verdi. Pick a spot along the route and watch the rafts float by in all their glory, one by one. The race is a time trial format in which we release the rafts one by one in parade form to give each their moments in sun as they cover the length of the course.
VOLUNTEER!
It takes a Navy of volunteers to produce an event like the Rock River Anything That Floats Race. The board is looking for people interested in numerous roles to make this event a success, from planning in advance, to assisting with rafts entering the water to helping clean up the riverfront. You can be part of the crew! Visit the “VOLUNTEER” tab at rratfr.com to sign up and help.
SPONSORS WELCOME!
The Rock River Anything That Floats Race is an entirely volunteer-driven community event. The Steering Committee welcomes additional sponsors to help support our efforts, which require cash and elbow grease. Please visit our website sponsorship page for more information and to help keep RRATFR afloat now and in the future: rratfr.com/sponsors.
About The Race
Initially launched in 1976 (the U.S. Bicentennial) as a US. vs. Brits special event for a local radio station, the first Raft Race featured just two teams. In 1978, the race was opened to the public to much fanfare. Decades of enthusiastic racing and spectating ensued. More than just an homage to the incredibly popular raft races of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s - the all-new Rock River Anything That Floats Race is a restored tradition for new generations of Rockfordians to love and experience. Additional event details can be found at rratfr.com.
Saluting Women Owned Businesses in the Stateline: FurstStaffing in Rockford
About this feature
It is brought to you by Northwest Bank: The power of yes, 50 years in the making.
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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Business: FurstStaffing
Headquarters: 120 W. State St., Suite 100, Rockford (It also has offices in Darlington and Stockton)
What they do: Since 1971, FurstStaffing has served companies looking for new talent and individuals seeking a job or career change. They handle everything from entry-level workforce all the way up to executive leadership "and everything inbetween," said Jennifer Furst, president of FurstStaffing.
"Our business is about people," she said. "We place and support the workforce in our local community."
What advice would you give to a woman who wants to start her own business? "Don't limit yourself. You can do whatever you want to do," Furst said. "Yes, we're a certified woman-owned business. We are run by a woman, but that's not why we want to earn business. We want to earn it because we do the best that we can do. I think that's what business owners, male or female, need to focus on: Do what you say you're going to do and exceed those expectations."
(story continues below photo)
Inside the office: The walls at Furst Staffing's downtown Rockford office are decorated with work from local artists, including a piece by Furst herself.
"I get energized by color and by movement, and I hope other people enjoy it when they come in here. I do think people kind of pick a favorite as they're walking through the space."
The work provides a little life and color to the office.
"I think it brings a calming sense to some people, as well ... it's welcoming," she said. "It encourages conversation."
About the founder: The company was founded in 1971 by Darlene Furst, mother to current company president Jennifer Furst.
"She has been an incredible leader and an incredible mentor, and I think everyone in our company who had the opportunity to work with her has experience that," Jennifer Furst said. "That is just a legacy that I want to carry on."
Learn more: FurstStaff.com or 815-229-7810.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.
Satisfying your sweet tooth will get more expensive as Hershey's raises prices
From news reports
B103 Rockford
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Hershey is raising prices this year.
The chocolate company said Thursday that it is planning “list price increases across all segments."
“Pricing is anticipated to partially offset investments in labor, along with higher logistics costs and raw material inflation,” Hersey said in a news release.
The company behind Hershey bars, Reese’s and Kit Kat products is hiring to help relieve the pressure on overworked employees.
The company hopes the new hires will offset a potential shortage of candy as Valentine’s Day approaches. Many grocery shelves that used to contain chocolates already are empty.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/business/hershey-prices/index.html
Rockford area Girl Scouts launch first cookie orders of the new year
From news reports
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ROCKFORD — It's Girl Scout cookie season and the girls have been hard at work.
Since Dec. 13, Girl Scouts in the Stateline have been busy marketing their products and selling Girl Scout Cookies online.
Now that it's 2022, the Girl Scouts may choose to take cookie orders in-person through Jan. 29, as they create new ways to connect with customers and offer contactless ordering and delivery door-to-door.
Related: Girl Scouts add new cookie for 2022
This year’s delicious cookie lineup features your favorites: Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Trefoils, S’mores and Toffee-tastics. New this year are Adventurefuls — an indulgent, brownie-inspired cookie with caramel flavored crème and a hint of sea salt.
You can grab your favorite cookies for $5 per package. Don't know a Girl Scout? No worries! Head over to their website to find a young entrepreneur in your area who would love to add you to her customer list and grow her business skills.
To keep everyone safe and healthy, Digital Cookie 8.0. will help the Girl Scouts accept orders safely. This digital platform allows Girl Scouts to take electronic orders for cookies.
You can now order and pay for cookies online and have the option to have the cookies shipped directly to you (shipping charges apply), have a Girl Scout offer contactless delivery of cookies to their door, or donate cookies (with no additional handling fees).
According to the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, "During Girl Scout Cookie season, each local Girl Scout sets out to sell delectable cookies while also building entrepreneurial and business skills imperative for leadership and future success. All the net revenue raised — 100 percent of it —stays within our northern Illinois area."
Fred VanVleet Shop helps feed residents with 4th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
By Chelsea Meyer
B103
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ROCKFORD — Using his position as a Toronto Raptors NBA basketball player, Fred VanVleet is once again giving back to his community with the fourth annual Thanksgiving Turkey giveaway. Last year, it was a drive-thru event held at the BMO Harris Bank Center, but this year they have decided to host it right at the Fred VanVleet shop in downtown.
The FVV Shop will be giving away 500 turkeys plus sides this Sunday, Nov. 21, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and all you have to do is drive-through and pick up your Thanksgiving meal.
"We'll have traffic stops set up and you just come through. We've got custom Fred VanVleet bags as well, so the canned goods will be in there and the turkeys will be boxed up as well," said Keffer Simpson, a long-time friend of VanVleet and chief operating officer of the Fred VanVleet Shop. "This event is real important, there are people out there who need turkeys and it's only right. Fred, you obviously know, NBA player loves giving back to his community, so why not do it the right way, every year."
The Fred VanVleet Shop is located at 328 E. State St. in Rockford.
How Fast Can You Drink A Capri Sun?
Declan Evans from England is The Guinness Book of World Records holder for drinking a Capri Sun. From start to finish, including taking the straw off the pouch, he did it in 16.65 seconds. Can it be done faster? Matt and Chelsea from the B103 Morning Routine tried......