Join Us for the 13th Annual Big Paddle!

June 1, 2024 | Ridgefield Waterfront

The Ridgefield Big Paddle commemorates the designation of the Lewis River to Vancouver Lake Water Trail each year on National Trails Day.

We are excited to invite you to the Lake River waterfront for Big Paddle on Saturday, June 1, 2024!

Pre-Big Paddle Activity

Join in on the awakening of the Dragons and Eye Dotting ceremony, followed by a Sunset Paddle at the Ridgefield Waterfront on Friday, May 31.

• Awakening of the Dragons Eye Dotting Ceremony – 7:00 PM
• Sunset Paddle – 7:30 PM

Register for the Awakening of the Dragon Boats and Sunset Paddle.

Guided Hikes & Paddle

The BIG Paddle – 9:30 AM

Be part of the BIG Paddle on Lake River Saturday morning! Join a flotilla of kayaks, paddle boards and canoes on a five mile roundtrip paddle along Lake River to the Columbia and back to the Port of Ridgefield Waterfront. $5 BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) registration covers your entry to the guided paddle. There are limited seats available on two canoes led by Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and limited seat available on the Chinook Canoe for $5.00.

Register for the Big Paddle

Registration does NOT include a rental. Kayak, canoe or paddle board rentals must be arranged ahead of time on an individual basis. Alder Creek Kayak Ridgefield location is conveniently located on Lake River.

You can also join the Big Paddle with a seat on a Dragon Boat for free! No experience needed, all equipment provided.

Register for a seat on a Dragon Boat.

Dragon Boat Paddle – 9 AM

Paddle Ridgefield’s big dragon boats during the Big Paddle event! No experience needed – come give dragon boating a try! All equipment is provided. Paddlers must be a minimum of 14 years of age. Register for a free seat here.

Guided Refuge Hike with Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge – 10 AM

To celebrate National Trails Day, head on a group hike led by the Friends of the Refuge from the Port of Ridgefield through the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Group hikes will take place at 10am and 1pm, no registration necessary. The Refuge will be fee free during Big Paddle.

Guided Paddle with Alder Creek Kayak – 11:30 AM

From 11:30AM – 1PM, paddle participants will experience the sights and sounds of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, visit historical sites like where Lewis & Clark landed, and enjoy a fun guided paddle.

The guided paddle is $25 and includes kayak, paddles, and a life jacket. Reservations must be made through Alder Creek Kayak here.

Guided Refuge Hike with Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge – 1 PM

To celebrate National Trails Day, head on a group hike led by the Friends of the Refuge from the Port of Ridgefield through the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Group hikes will take place at 10AM and 1PM, no registration necessary. The Refuge will be fee free during Big Paddle.

Waterfront Activities

Registration and Check-in – 8 AM – 9 AM
Visit the events trailer to check in for the Big Paddle! The first 150 to check in will receive a fun bag of Big Paddle goodies! All registered paddlers will receive a Beer Garden token and Spin the Wheel token.

Opening Ceremony – 9 AM

Awaken the Ridgefield Dragon Boats and kick off the annual Big Paddle!

Live Music: Takohachi –  9:30 AM – 11 AM

Feel the energy build for the morning during a performance from Portlands Traditional Japanese Drum & Dance Ensemble, Takohachi.

Outdoor Games – 10 AM – 2 PM

Hang out and play volleyball, cornhole, disc golf, and more on the waterfront!

Kayak Check – 11 AM – 2 PM

Don’t want to worry about transporting your kayak or paddleboard to your vehicle between paddling and enjoying the waterfront activities? Or plan to get back out on the water? No problem! Take advantage of our free “Kayak Check” and drop off your kayak (open 11am – 2pm) and we will watch over your boat while you enjoy the beer garden, beach games, music, and food! When you are ready to head out, drive your car up to the station to load up!

Live Music: The June Bugs – 11:30 AM – 3 PM

The Junebugs combine high-energy pop with Pacific Northwest folksy goodness to create a folk rockin’ sound you can kick your heels up to. Covering everything from Tom Petty to TLC to Taylor Swift, the eclectic taste of the trio ranges from turn-of-the-century Americana to modern Hip Hop, with a strong emphasis on vocal harmony. There is something for everyone here.

Beer Garden & Food Trucks  – 11 AM – 3 PM

Hosted by Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce.
Beer and Cider provided by Ridgefield Craft Brewing

Beverages from Ridgefield Craft Brewing will be available for purchase for attendees 21+.

Line up of beverages will be announced soon!

Food Vendors

A collection of food vendors will be on site at the Waterfront.

• Ridgefield Lions Club: breakfast sandwiches 8 AM – 11 AM and hot dogs/burgers 11 AM – 3 PM
• C&J BBQ House
• Kali Kantina
• Eight Cow Creamery 11 AM – 3 PM
• Whimsy Sweets
• Snowie Vancouver

Free Hayride – 10 AM – 2 PM

Find your way between the Ridgefield Waterfront and Downtown Ridgefield with the free and fun transportation of the hayride! Worry less about parking and enjoy the convenient ride and get both your shopping, paddling, and playing all in a days time!

Downtown Activities

First Saturday & Ridgefield Farmers Market Vendors @ Davis Park, 9 AM – 2 PM
Shop for vegetables, handmade goods and more from local vendors at DAVIS PARK across from the Ridgefield Community Library.

Used Spring Book Sale – Friends of the Ridgefield Community Library @ Ridgefield Community Library 10 AM – 3 PM
Shop for used books and support the local library at the Friends of the Ridgefield Community Library Spring Used Book Sale. Paperbacks $3, Hardbacks $5, DVDs and Children’s Books $1. 9 AM – 10 AM for members only, 10 AM – 3 PM open to all.

Ridgefield Community Library – Kids Activities
Kids crafts and a kayak for children to play in!

Ridgefield Craft Brewing
Sugars Roadshow Food Truck 11:30 AM – 7 PM, Live Music featuring CloudShine 5 PM – 6 PM, Beverage Hunters RCB Podcast Premiere 6 PM – 7 PM, Live Music resumes until 8 PM.

Sportsman’s Public House
Breakfast served 9 AM Saturday & Sunday. Receive a 10% coupon for your next visit!

About the Big Paddle

The Ridgefield Big Paddle began in 2012 to celebrate the efforts of many to create this water trail resource. The first Big Paddle was on June 2, 2012. Big Paddle is traditionally held on the first Saturday in June as part of National Trails Day.

The flotilla travels 2.5 miles North on Lake River, past the wildlife refuge, to the Columbia River, and back to the Port of Ridgefield launch for a 5-mile round trip. This year, we are challenging you to complete a 5-mile round trip somewhere new along the Water Trail.