Benscreek Canoe Club
A canoe and kayak club in Johnstown, PA. A 501(c)3 charitable organization promoting paddling and conservation on local rivers.
Contact BCC
Phone: (814) 266-4276
Email: Rick Bloom rickpb@aol.com
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
- All Day – Paddle
- 4-7PM Loose Change
- 6:30PM Downriver Race
(Registration 5:30-6:15PM at Carpenters Park) - 8-11PM Shiva Skydriver
SATURDAY
- All Day – Paddle
- 2:30PM Freestyle Rodeo
(Registration2-2:15) - 4-7PM Thorn Bush
- 8-11PM The Hillbilly Biscuits
(First Waves Film Debut & Raffle during first set break)
SUNDAY
- All Day – Paddle
- Afternoon – Clean Up
EVENT INFORMATION
The Stonycreek Rendezvous is an annual whitewater festival hosted by the Benscreek Canoe Club in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The event is held at Greenhouse Park, Pennsylvania’s first man-made whitewater park, held over three days in May. During the three days of the event, there is live music, food and gear vendors, a whitewater rodeo, downriver race, daily whitewater releases into the Stonycreek from the Quemahoning Dam.
Location: Greenhouse Park
Green House Rd. Johnstown, PA 15905
Admission: $10 Per Person for the entire weekend.
Please note: Pavilions are now rented and reserved by boating clubs. We now have more clubs than we have pavilions; interested clubs need to contact Steve Podratsky regarding pavilion rentals. Also, we rent the park until Sunday. Please have all campers removed by 5 PM Sunday at the latest.
Food: Food will be available on site from a variety of vendors.
In addition there are numerous restaurants within a short distance of the festival site.
Beer: Beer will be available on site.
Cost is $3.00 for a 16oz plastic cup (we may have to charge $4 for craft beer if it costs us too much). The sale of beer benefits the Benscreek Canoe Club and is a big money maker for us during the event. PLEASE DRINK OUR BEER. Note that we will also have some wine for sale as well. And due to liability issues, no other alcohol may be brought into the festival area.
CAMPING INFORMATION
Camping is available at the festival site for $10 per/person. This is traditional tent camping with no electric or water hookups. Fires are allowed in the fire pits provided around the field. Please limit fires to the “official” fire pits. And help our volunteers manage garbage, if a garbage bag is near full, take it to a dumpster and ask us for a new one. There are many families with kids and campers with dogs at the festival, please drive carefully. Also, the camping area is relatively close to people’s homes, please lower the noise after 11 PM. Note: Greenhouse Park is not open for camping except for special events. Camping is available at Quemahoning Reservoir Recreation Area , Stonycreek Launch (814 242-8219; 2869 Seanor Rd, Hollsopple; this is the closest camping), Camp Harmony (which has both Cabins and Tent & RV Camping), Nanty-Glo Park and at Duman Park. Quemahoning Recreation Area and Stonycreek Launch may fill early, call ASAP if you want to camp there.
Water: Drinking water is available on site via two freshwater spring pumps.
Fires: Firewood will be available on site through the Boy Scouts for $3 per bundle, but it is always a good bet to bring some extra from home just to be safe. Please don’t waste firewood with bonfires.
Bathrooms: Port-o-Johns with hand washing stations will be available throughout the festival.
Showers: There are no showers available.
Other than the rapid named “Showers” at the canyon put-in, you are going to go au natural for the weekend aside from any unintended “swims” during your paddling adventures.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
Please be sure to pick up after your furry four-legged friends.
Afraid that you’ll leave your wallet in your other boat and not have money to buy your tickets the at the event? Don’t not! You can now purchase them online. $10 gets you a three day pass to freely come and go from the event. An additional $10 gets you a three day camping pass. Cash purchase is available in-person at the event.
DOWNRIVER RACE
Friday, May 17th – 6:30PM – Carpenters Park to Greenhouse Park
Racers check in 5:30-6:15PM at Carpenters Park
$20 Registration
On Friday evening we will be running our annual Downriver Race as part of Immersion Research Headwaters Racing Series. This is a downriver sprint race covering 3.5 miles of pool drop whitewater (Class II+ – Class III). The put-in is at Carpenter’s Park which is the normal takeout for the Stonycreek Canyon run with the finish line at Greenhouse park at the beach on river left after the playpark wave. The race will be divided into categories based upon the type of boats entered into the race and the number of participants. We will typically have classes for SUPs, long and short kayaks, solo and tandem open boats. Any length boat is allowed to enter and we reserve the right to group different types of boats should there not be enough for a separate class. Awards will be presented at Greenhouse Park about 1 hour after the last competitor crosses the finish line. Note: due to liability issues, if the Ferndale gauge is 5 feet or over the race will be cancelled.
FREESTYLE RODEO
Saturday, May 18th – 2:30PM – Greenhouse Park
2PM Registration & Check-in
Free Registration
This is a friendly competition for all skill levels. There will be classes for all registered participants and we will have separate classes for male/female as long as we have enough signed up. We are encouraging any boater that has ever taken a spin in a hole to try their hand at fame and fortune. Well at least fame amongst your friends. We will have classes for beginners, intermediates, advanced, and pro ( if applicable ). The infamous Stonycreek Rock Trophies are up for GRABS!
Judging is based on three main categories:
- Trick Difficulty: Basically the harder the trick the more points.
- Variety: Your point total will be multiplied by the number of different moves you attempt. Therefore doing 20 cartwheels each way may gain you some style points but wont help your point multiplier.
- Style: This is a judgment based score based upon how smooth your ride is. The longer you stay in the hole and the better you connect your variety of moves the greater the score.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Loose Change
Friday 4-7PM
Description coming soon…
Shiva Skydriver
Friday 8-11PM
Shiva Skydriver is a duo consisting of multi- instrumentalists Kelsey James and Ed Skero. They have released two full length albums with a third due in 2022. The band has also released seven singles. James and Skero have played over 1000 shows together in the United States and Europe since forming in 2008.
Thorn Bush
Saturday 4-7PM
Thorn Bush is a local acoustic duo from Windber, Pennsylvania. They preform songs of Folk, Americana, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Blues, and Roots genres.
The Hillbilly Biscuits
Saturday 8-11PM
Hailing from the beautiful Mountain State of West Virginia, The Hillbilly Biscuits have been making and performing their own brand of old-time bluegrass and original mountain music for over two decades! Formed in 2001 from a chance meeting at the now infamous Wednesday night old-time jam in Morgantown, The Hillbilly Biscuits have been pickin’ n’ grinnin’ and entertaining their loyal fans ever since.
