The Etowah River User's Guide, a joint book project of Georgia River Network and CRBI, will be released May 1 by the University of Georgia Press. This 184-page on-river guide with waterproof pages features more than 150 color photos and a wealth of information about the Etowah. 
Some 60 acres of Oostanaula River floodplain and wetlands that could become Rome's Central Park are slated for conversion into a regional shopping center.
HELP WANTED! CRBI seeks an Executive Director with an established
track record of success in managing staff, fundraising and environmental
advocacy.Applications are now being accepted. River Revelry--A Biodiversity Bash
The best end-of-summer party on the planet!
Raft Race, Cancer Navigators, Dance Challenge to Converge at River Revelry
River Revelry--A Biodiversity Bash has historically included about as many events as the Upper Coosa has endemic aquatic species (30, for the record). River Revelry 2012 carries on that tradition. This year River Revelry will serve as a "confluence" for multiple events that will converge on Heritage Park for what's sure to be a rip-roaring good time Saturday, Aug. 18, from 6-11 p.m.. The Blue Sky Outfitter Recycled Raft Race will float down the Oostanaula; the Cancer Navigators' Cast Off for Cancer Patients fundraising paddle will stroke down the Etowah and late in the evening, party goers who have enjoyed the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia's Celebrity Dance Challenge earlier in the evening will join in the fun. Throw is the Seven Hills Rotary Club's Ducky Derby, music from Jerry on the Moon, silent and live auctions, boat rides on the river, beer from New Belgium Brewing Co., wine from Barefoot Wines & Bubbly and, of course, some of the best barbecue in the Coosa River Basin and you have the best end-of-summer party on the planet. Scroll down to learn more. Purchase your tickets now online!
Blue Sky Outfitter Recycled Raft Race
Last year, our raft race participants pulled out all the stops and anything that could float made its way down the Oostanaula much to the delight of River Revelers who enjoyed the "race" to the finish line at Heritage Park. Cash awards, merchandise and gift certificates from Blue Sky Outfitter will be given to in the following categories: 2nd Loser (2nd place finisher) Best Engineered, Most Original, Most Colorful, Most Oddly Shaped, Most Enthusiastic and Best Use of River Trash. Cost: $50 per raft with captain receiving a complimentary River Revelry tickets. Additional tickets for crew members can be purchased for $30. Form your team and get started building your raft today. Register online NOW! or visit Blue Sky Outfitter in Rome or Cartersville.
Cancer Navigators Cast off For Cancer Patients
Cancer Navigators, a non-profit which provides services for individuals undergoing cancer treatments, will host a six-mile fundraiser paddle on the Etowah River, finishing at River Revelry. Arrive at River Revelry in appropriate style--via canoe or kayak--while raising money for two great causes--CRBI and Cancer Navigators. $40 includes shuttle service and boat rentals. Click here for a registration form or for more details call Linda Gray 470-315-0299.
Celebrity Dance Challenge--River Revelry Combo Night
On the evening of Aug. 18, there's two great events going on in downtown Rome--River Revelry and the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia's Celebrity Dance Challenge. The Dance Challenge runs from 7-9 p.m. at the Rome City Auditorium with local dance experts and local "celebrities" competing in a Dancing with the Stars-style competition. CRBI and the Sexual Assault Center are teaming up to offer ticket discounts totaling $10 for those wanting to attend both events. Enjoy the dancing at the Challenge and then come to River Revelry to kick off your own shoes and dance to the tunes of Jerry on the Moon. We'll keep the beer and barbecue flowing until 11 p.m.! You'll also have time to get in on our silent auction! Tickets for both events can be purchased through our online order form
Seven Hills Rotary Club Ducky Derby
THEY'RE BACK!!!!! Hundreds of yellow rubber ducks racing down the Coosa River with one lucky participant who purchases the winning duck taking home a $500 cash prize courtesy of the Seven Hills Rotary Club. Ducks can be purchased from Rotarians or from our online River Revelry ticket order form. Ducks are $5 each. Proceeds from the Ducky Derby benefit Seven Hills Rotary Club and their support of local non-profits and Rotary Club International's efforts to alleviate poverty and improve health and education across the globe. PURCHASE YOUR DUCKS ONLINE NOW!
New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company and Eagle Rock Distributing will once again provide the beer for River Revelry. The Ft. Collins, Colorado-based brewery specializes in Belgian-style brews, and is a leader in environmentally sustainable business practices. You'll be able to choose from several different brews at River Revelry, and you'll even have the opportunity to take home one of the company's specialty cruiser bicycles in the live auction.
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly's passion is making the world a better place through wine and they're back again this year for a second time at River Revelry.
The winemakers will provide a fabulous selection of wine for our patrons who prefer grapes to hops. 
Barbecue Battle
The barbecue is the centerpiece of River Revelry as local restaurants and backyard barbecuers compete for the title of "Best Barbecue in the Coosa River Basin." $900 in cash awards will be distributed in restaurant and backyard barbecue divisions. There is no entry fee to compete; just donate your delectable barbecue for River Revelry patrons to enjoy. A panel of certified barbecue judges will designate the winners and patrons will vote on the People's Choice award. Interested in participating: E-mail Mike Sarver at supermike7@live.com or download an entry form here.
. Check back here periodically! Vendors will be added as we receive registration forms and confirmations.
Honey Pot Luminaries
2012 River Revelry Host Committee
Gena & Clinton Agnew, Jeb Arp, Brenda Budlong, Cheryl & Joe Burch, Jessica & Danny Burnham, Christie & Freddie Boyd, Bill Bryan & Jori Mullins, Mike & K.J. Carvalho, Chris Cannon, Kendall Christian, Luke Chaffin, Morgan & Telena Cole, Elizabeth Davis, Gary Harrell, Marlon & Claire Harris, Melissa Holcomb, John & Sarah Husser, Herrick Kroeger, Carolyn Landrem, Nina Lovel, Dave & Ellie Mahon, Steven & Lindsey McDowell, Diane Minick, Kelly & Jennifer Moore, Bryan Mullins, James Schroeder, Tricia and Jesse Seifert, Stephen & Keri Smith, Trey & Julie Smith, Crystal and Jim Stewart, Pam Sunderland, Amy Weaver, Jim & Pam Young
2012 Sponsors
2010 Logperch Sponsors
carvalho & Associates
Weiss Lake Improvement Association
Rocksnail Sponsors
The Finnell Firm
GENA & CLINTON AGNEW
RALPH WHITE & FRIENDS
north georgia sign & crane
honey pots by bee naturaL
Keep Rome Beautiful
dempsey, lord, smith, llc
2011 River Revelry Highlights
More than 400 CRBI supporters packed the River Revelry party grounds Aug. 20, helping generate more than $26,000 to protect our drinking water and North America's most biologically diverse river basin! THANK YOU to our patrons, volunteers and sponsors for making this possible!
To view multi-media coverage of the event, please visit the Rome News-Tribune website where you can view photos, video and news stories about the event, including the Great Coosa River Cycle Jump by Cycle Therapy's Trey Smith.
You can also get a rider's eye view of the amazing jump at Cycle Therapy's helmet cam video site.
View additional photos from the event courtesy of Paul O'mara Photography at our Facebook Page.
Barbecue Battle Winners
Our Barbecue Battle participants served up some of the best barbecue to be had in Northwest Georgia. Thanks to each who donated barbecue and spent long hours smoking it to perfection! Our winners took home a total of $900 in prizes. Congratulations to the following winners:
Restaurant Division
1st Dub's High on the Hog Barbecue in Calhoun
2nd Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse in Euharlee
Backyard Barbecue Division
1st Mark White's Plum Peachy
2nd Bad Dad's Barbecue
Best Specialty Item
Lavender Mountain Smokin' Gun BBQ
Thanks to our Barbecue Judges: Mark
Burkhalter and Amanda Nixon (certified barbecue judges) and our special
celebrity judges: Rep. Barbara Massey Reece, Sen. Barry Loudermilk, Rome
Mayor Evie McNiece and Rome food expert Kathy Patrick!
Blue Sky Outfitter Recycled Raft Race Winners
2nd Loser: S.S. Rebel Captained by Clint & Kyle Patterson
Best Engineered: Shred Heads Captained by Ben Levy
Most Original: Paper Pirate Captained by Austin Gattenby
Most Colorful: Re Re Rotarian Pirates of the Coosa Captained by Justin Norton
Most Oddly Shaped: Big Bad's Barbecue Captained by Bogan Silvey
Most Enthusiastic: Riff Raff Captained by Katie Owens
Best Use of River Trash: Team Garbagio Captained by Mike McCarthy
Thanks to our Raft Race Judges: Mary Hardin & Bill Thornton and Marta Turner!
Ducky Derby Winner
John Quinlivan of Rome was the lucky $500 winner in the Seven Hills Rotary Club's Ducky Derby. The Ducky Derby raised some $1800 for Rotary Club projects, including support of CRBI. Thanks Seven Hills Rotarians!
Cedar Creek Park Canoe Raffle Winner
Ben Ball of Cave Spring was the winner in the Cedar Creek Park canoe raffle. Ball took home a $1200 Mad River Canoe donated by James & Debbie Lossick, owners of the park. The canoe raffle raised more than $1800 for CRBI programs.
Cycle Therapy Great Coosa River Cycle Jump Winner
Bob Moore of Rome guess that Trey Smith would jump 50 feet into the Coosa. Trey flew through the air 44 feet before hitting the water, and Bob won a $400 gift certificate to Cycle Therapy.
