THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN 2025!

Mark your calendar for Big Paddle Waterfront Festival, Saturday, June 6, 2026! 

2025 EVENT DETAILS BELOW. 

2026 EVENT DETAILS WILL BE ADDED AS WE NEAR THE EVENT.

Join us for the 14th Annual Big Paddle Waterfront Festival!

June 7, 2025 | Ridgefield Waterfront

The Ridgefield Big Paddle Waterfront Festival 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 Waterfront Festival on Saturday, June 7, 2025! 

Guided Hikes & Paddle

For any of the below paddles or for paddling for fun, if you are looking to rent gear, Alder Creek Kayak has rentals that you can book at 50% off with code "Firstsat" while supplies last. This code does not apply to their tours, only to rental gear.

The BIG Paddle – 10 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 Ridgefield Waterfront. $5 BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) registration covers your entry to the guided paddle.

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSED. PLEASE REGISTER IN PERSON 8:30AM - 10AM.

Register for the Big Paddle with Alder Creek: 
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. Register online here.

Dragon Boat Paddle – 10 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. Paddlers will need to arrive at 8:30 AM and can expect to return by 11:30 - 12 PM.
Register for a spot on the Dragon Boats.

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 10a AM, no registration necessary. The Refuge will be fee free during Big Paddle.

Guided Paddle with Alder Creek Kayak – 11:30 AM
From 11:30 AM – 1 PM, 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 $35 and includes kayak, paddles, and a life jacket. Reservations must be made through Alder Creek Kayak here. 

Quirky Kayak Parade and Guided Paddle with Alder Creek Kayak - 1 PM
Grab your paddles, deck out your kayak in all things wild and whimsical, and join the splashiest spectacle on water! Whether you're sporting streamers, rubber ducks, pirate flags, or a full-on floating flamingo, we want you in the lineup. Continue on for a five-mile guided paddle with Alder Creek Kayak or come back on land for festival fun. The paddle is $5 if you have your own gear, or rent through Alder Creek Kayak here. 

Register for the Quirky Kayak Parade & Paddle - REGISTRATION ONLINE CLOSED. PEASE REGISTER IN PERSON

Waterfront Activities

Registration and Check-in - 8:30 AM - 10 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.

Big Paddle Kick-off – 10 AM
Welcome paddlers and kick off the annual Big Paddle! 

Live Music: Takohachi – 9 AM - 10:30 AM
The lively Takohachi is returning to the Big Paddle Waterfront Festival!

Big Paddle Cornhole Classic - hosted by Ridgefield Young Life - 10 AM
Pre-register a team of two to compete in the 2025 Big Paddle Cornhole Classic as a fundraiser for Ridgefield Young Life. $20/team of two for a double elimination pre-registered tournament. Grand prize includes a custom cornhole board set and RTIC soft shell cooler bag.
Register a Team

Outdoor Games – 10 AM - 3 PM
Hang out and play volleyball, spike ball, ladder ball, inflatable soccer darts, basketball, and more on the waterfront!

Kayak Check – 11:00 AM - 3 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 11:30am – 3pm) 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:  One-Eyed Kats – 11 AM - 2:30 PM
The One-Eyed Kats are back for the 2025 Big Paddle Waterfront Festival!

Mini Performances
During the main stage act's breaks, enjoy two performances to keep the entertainment rolling.
12:25 PM - Breath of Qigong-Meditation in Motion
1:35 PM - TNT Cheer Athletics Showcase

Beer Garden & Food Trucks  – 11 AM - 3 PM
Hosted by Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce
Enjoy a drink at the Beer Garden Tent and Patio hosted by Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce!
Beer and Cider provided by Ridgefield Craft Brewing. Beverages will be available for purchase for attendees 21+. Non-alcoholic beer also available.

Drink Menu:

• Str8 Up Lager - Ridgefield Craft Brewing
• New Whirled Order IPA - Ridgefield Craft Brewing
• Vanilla Bean Cider - Locust Brewing
• Juicy Peach Cider - Locust Brewing
• Coors Light
• Water

Food Vendors - 8 AM - 3 PM
A collection of food vendors will be on site at the Waterfront.

• Ridgefield Lions Club - serving breakfast sandwiches 8am - 11am and burgers and hot dogs 11am - 3pm!
• Ice Cream Renaissance
• Shell's East Coast Snowballs 
• Travelin Toms Coffee

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 9 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. Member's Only Sale is Friday, June 6, 5 PM - 6 PM

Open House - Myrtle's Building, 11 AM - 3 PM
Join us for an open house! Shop Myrtle's Home Decor & they pay the tax! Meet the Owners of Ridgefield's newest Tea House—Honey Bunny's & sample their signature scone bites or make a tea reservation.  Find out about the first Saturday tea & paint events & see one in action!  

Whimsy Art Exhibit Reception hosted by Ridgefield Art Association - Ridgefield Community Library, 5 PM - 7 PM
Enjoy personal art expressions of joy and bring in summer with a sense of wonder and whimsy. Light refreshments served in the community room.

Rapid Romance at Ridgefield Wine Bar - 4 PM - 5:30 PM
Ridgefield’s first speed dating event is happening at Ridgefield Wine Bar on Saturday, June 7.
Registration Details

Live Music: Acoustic Ridge - Ridgefield Craft Brewing, 6 PM - 9 PM
Enjoy a local craft beer or cider and food from a local food cart or restaurant while listening to live music.

Live Music: Rae Ann Phillips - The Neighborhood Refuge, 7 PM - 10 PM
Enjoy live music, craft cocktails, and handcrafted food in the renovated white church on S Main.

Karaoke Night - Sportsman's Public House, 8 PM - 12 AM
Karaoke hosted by CP NTHA House, plus food and drink specials: Chimichurri Nachos, Loaded Burger, Beef Gyro & Coors Light, King Crispy, Grape Stomp 

Big Paddle Menu Specials at Nest Food Cart
Grilled Cheese with Tomato soup $12 - Rustic sourdough, American cheese, house made tomato soup.
Pork Belly Tacos $12 - 3 smoked pork belly tacos with guacamole and salsa.

Volunteer Opportunities

Check out available volunteer shifts, from hayride monitor to staffing the kayak check! Volunteers will get a token to use at the Beer Garden, Spin the Wheel, or Lions Club tent.

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.