Amazing Annual Bridgewater Raft Race in Vermont

The water looked freezing and I could not believe people were not wearing wet suits for the annual Bridgewater Raft Race. Jeans and boots seemed to be the attire of choice. I recently had my first attendance of event held in Bridgewater, Vermont. Despite the sun, the more I looked around at partially clad bodies hovered over homemade pieced together rafts, the more I shuddered.

The annual Bridgewater Raft Race is a long standing, small town Vermont tradition. In 1974 two locals, Hippy Jim Clonigee and William Bear Massey were inspired by Mojave folklore. They took to the waters of “the phantom duck of the river” in homemade rafts. The tradition has continued ever since.

For over 40 years, ethusiased and dedicated locals have pieced together creative homemade rafts, pushed them into the Ottauquechee River, and hoped to gosh they float.

Not all of them make it.

But it doesn’t matter. The memories of sawing buckets in half, painstaking going through multiple rolls of duct tape to adhere pieces of material together or ensuring your fiery flame producer are securely in place have already been created.

I walked around in wonder as a first time observer. Everyone was cheery and just happy for a chance to jump in the cold water while trying to stay a float in hopes of completing the three mile run.

One of a Kind Designs for the Bridgewater Raft Race

Participants were proud to show off their creations.

These three high school boys were proud first time participants.

We did see them later down the river as they completed the race – their skin so pink the crowd wondered about hypothermia. However the smiles never ceased and they seemed to be just fine.

They had safety in mind as the one did wear a helmet the whole time.

This raft had a fire extinsguisher.

Local reporters were on scene. To find one of the main organizers, the reporter was told to find the man dressed up in the Champ costume.

Participants making some last minute adjustments to their rafts.

Rafts just waiting and spectators lining up along the bridge. 

Team work makes the dream work – carrying the homemade special down to the water for it’s maiden voyage.

Cannon Starts the Race

To begin the race all participants stand at the edge of the field. Off to the side, someone then shoots off the cannon. People make a mad dash to their boats.

This little one was so sad he wasn’t allowed to go…yet.

You can see here through the smokey-ness of the cannon firing, a bit of chaos as everyone tries to get their rafts into the water.

The water was a bit shallow at the start, so by default they all funneled into the flow of the water together and started crashing into each other. Note that poor girls paddle got swept down river in all the chaos. That was a father/daughter participating for the first time. She did retrieve her paddle, but really had to swim for it. 

Then the pack started spreading out. 

It did not take long for some designs to start a slow, sinking end.

Those that weren’t sinking remained focused.

Smiling Faces (aka, not sinking) 

Just happy to be there.

A great day for floating down the river!

Once we saw the rafts make it under the bridge we went down the road to a friend who has a house along the river where the rafters float (or drag themselves) past.

Our friend made these great signs to hold up and cheer rafters on as they went by.

It took this raft ages, absolutely ages to make it down the river. Our cheering section had long ago abandoned our judging station and retreated up the bank for a shared pot luck. Off in the distance someone looked, pointed and said, “Wait, is that another raft?!” We all looked down at our watches and tried to calculate how long it was actually taking them. Gotta give them credit – they were committed! 

So naturally people at the pot luck trotted back down the hill to cheer and throw jello shots at the rafters. We all know this is the real fuel and reason anyone jumps in the frigid waters. 

This sentiment also helps.

No raft shall pass uncheered!

The day and event was just filled with good cheer, memories being made and a time honored tradition.

Until my friend had invited me to attend the Annual Bridgewater Raft Race, I had never heard of it. I love attending events like this with child-like wonder. This was something completely new to me yet a time honored tradition to so many people in that community. These are the charms and ties that make community events so important. They maintain a sense of place of connection for people that live there. The fact I had never heard of it made it all the better.

If you go:

Start:  5313 US-4, Bridgewater Corners, VT 05035

End: Rafters exit the river 3 miles downstream at a park. Then they gather at Bridgewater Mill Mall, Woodstock, VT 05091

When: April 29, 2023 UPDATE: May 6,2023 (in hopes of better weather) @11am sign up (proceeds benefit the Bridgewater Fast Squad) and @12 noon start time.

Some where on the facebook page will be a post with each years date.

If you thought this post was interesting, you might also enjoy checking out: STROLLING OF THE HEIFERS WHEN COWS WALK DOWN MAIN ST IN VERMONT or BREAD AND PUPPET – THE CIRCUS SHOW, VT. 

I always attend events like this with my handy bags for collecting treasures or bringing things to share, easily collapsible camp chair and my hydroflask.

Thank you for reading!