The borough's fifth annual Canoe Race on the Passaic River, which had been scheduled for this Saturday at Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, has been cancelled due to lack of participants.  

A new date has not yet been set, but the borough is hoping to hold the race some time in September, to coincide with a Bike Rodeo for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the brainchild of three Milnes School fifth graders.

The 1.8-mile canoe race, which drew 18 canoes (36 paddlers) last year, starts at Memorial Park before making its way down the Passaic River to the Elmwood Park Marina.

It began five years ago when then-Mayor Steve Weinstein brought the idea back to the borough council after participating in a mayor's canoe race with his son in Paterson.

"The idea is just to profile our river," Weinstein said at last year's event. "One of our greatest resources."

Last year's race was won by team "Down River with Two Paddles," made up of George and Bob Ulshafer.

Race participants must be older than 12 and accompanied by an adult if they're under 15. The cost to participate is $15 per paddler, two paddlers per canoe.

Racers receive a complimentary breakfast and t-shirt, and trophies are awarded to the winners.   

For more information or to register, please contact Jim Van Kruiningen at 201-794-5314 or email jvankruiningen@fairlawn.org. A registration form is included as an attachment with this article.

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