CATSKILL, New York – When the 4th Annual Rip Van Winkle's Wacky Raft Race gets under way on Sunday, July 20, 2008, nearly 20 wild and crazy homemade rafts propelled by 100 equally wild and crazy crewmembers will race down a six-mile stretch of the Hudson River. Cash prizes go to the top three finishers, but bragging rights go to the "Wackiest Raft" and "The Titanic," the vessel that has the most trouble staying afloat.

The race starts at 11:00 a.m. at Riverfront Park in Athens and finishes at Dutchmen's Landing at the end of Main Street in Catskill, where hundreds of spectators gather for food, live entertainment, community service and vendor booths and the awarding of prizes.

Organized by the Greene County Tourism Promotion Department for the fourth year in the row, the Wacky Raft Race has gotten bigger and better each year since it was revived in 2005 as a continuation of a summertime tradition begun in the 1970s and as a fundraiser for local charities. The 2008 race will benefit the United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties, while races in past years have supported Community Action of Greene County, Ulster Greene ARC and the Community Center of Catskill. During the past four years, the race has raised more than $25,000 for local charities.

"The outpouring of community support for our Wacky Raft Race has been tremendous this year," said Daniela Marino, Director of the Greene County Tourism Promotion Department. "It's gaining momentum each year and is becoming one of the signature summer events for Greene County. Combining pure fun with the beauty of the Hudson River, the race is popular with locals and tourists alike and is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday."

The raft race has more than 25 sponsors this year, ranging from $100 to $1,000 levels, Ms. Marino reported, adding that the event has also received widespread support from the community to help make sure the event runs smoothly and safely. The U.S. Coast Guard and Rip Van Winkle Bassmasters, for example, will provide escort boats for the rafts, while local fire departments, rescue squads and police departments will be on hand throughout the event, she noted. "We are grateful that so many people and organizations are turning out to support such a good cause," she noted.

Close to 20 boats were officially registered for the race a week before the event.
The names of the vessels tell of the teams' aspirations, ranging from the optimistic Wheels of Fury and Cool Runnings to the more pessimistic Hope We Finish and Hope She Floats. There are at least four female captains this year: Shelly Lowrey on B's in Heat; Britanny Hyer captaining a crew of nine aboard the SS Rock 'n Roll; Becky Raffiani on the Martinez's Hudson River Roadies and Sarah Hackett on Rat Racers. Rafts are being sponsored by organizations and businesses such as the Catskill Fire Department, Wal-Mart, Martinez Auto Body and Coxsackie Rotary, as well as by individuals such as the entry aptly named the Red Necks of Earlton.

All rafts must be homemade and self-propelled with poles, oars, paddlewheels, sails or other non-motorized devices. Each raft must have a crew of at least three people, with a parent or legal guardian accompanying minors.

Competition is fierce for the $500 prize for the first-place finisher, but organizers this year are ratcheting up the competition for the coveted "Wackiest Raft" award by bestowing upon the winner a hand-carved statue of Rip Van Winkle made by well-known local whittler Dick Brooks. Awards will also be given for the "Most Spirited" and "Most Unique" rafts, in addition to the "The Titanic."

For more information, please call the Greene County Tourism Promotion Department at 1-800-355-2287. For more fun things to do and see in Greene County, visit www.GreeneTourism.com

2008 Wacky Raft Race Sponsors

$1,000 Sponsors

Classic Hits 92.9 WBPM
Clear Channel Radio 98.5 FM
The Daily Mail
First Niagara Bank
Mid-Hudson Media
Round Top Knitting & Screening

$500 Sponsors

Coxsackie-Athens Rotary Club
Hillcrest Press
Hinterland Design
Martinez Auto Body Shop
Rip Van Winkle Tobacco Free Coalition
Spirit of the Hudson
WellCare of New York
WRIP Radio

$250 Sponsors

Big Top Portable Toilets
Fortnightly Club of Catskill
Heart of Catskill Association/Catskill Chamber of Commerce
Holcim
Peckham Materials Corp.
Riverview Marine Services
Rhythmic Sounds

$100 Sponsors

Berry Builders
Edward C. Cloke
Fusion Motorcycles
Marshall & Sterling Insurance

2008 Wacky Raft Race Supporters

U.S. Coast Guard
New York State Police
Greene County Sheriff Department
Columbia County Sheriff Department
Village of Catskill Police Department
Village of Athens Police Department
Town of Catskill Rescue Squad
Athens Fire Department
Greene County Highway Department
Village of Catskill Highway Department
Spirit of the Hudson
Riverview Marine Services
Mike Ferretti and Rhythmic Films
Skip Hommel and Rip Van Winkle Bassmasters