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BONITA SPRINGS — Cloudy skies and a short downpour couldn’t ruin a day in the park Saturday for hundreds who attended the Bonita Springs Riverfest.

A short but heavy rain hit about 10 a.m. and chased some of the crowd away. But by 11 a.m., skies were clearing, people were happy and new arrivals were pulling into the parking lot at Riverside Park.

“It’s been cool,” said Bonita Springs resident Josh Cook, who attended the event with his girlfriend and her young son. “The rain kind of slowed things down, and a lot of people packed up and left, but it only lasted 10 or 15 minutes.”

Riverfest is the kickoff event of the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, a nine-day celebration of Lee County waterways.

Now in its second year, Riverfest included a Friday night mullet fry and concert along with Saturday morning’s Imperial River Challenge, a time trial kayak and canoe race that finished at the park.

“It was a lot of fun at the finish,” said Bonita resident Scott Douglas, who took first in his kayak division. “Everybody was coming in and the crowd was cheering. The Imperial River is beautiful, with the cypress trees. It’s really Old Florida.”

Douglas and his wife, Peggy, both volunteered by helping racers at the launch during last year’s event.

The experience helped lead them to the sport and they’ve been kayaking on the Imperial River since.

“We had so much fun we thought we would participate this year,” said Peggy Douglas. “I was afraid of alligators at first, but I conquered that fear.”

The Douglases piloted two of 31 vessels registered Saturday as entries in 11 different kayak and canoe divisions.

Winners in each division won $100.

Marlo Marcheco of Cape Coral had the day’s fastest time, navigating the winding 2-mile stretch of river in less than 23 minutes.

In addition to the race, spectators enjoyed music by the Fleas Bluegrass Band and hot dogs and hamburgers prepared by Buffalo Chips restaurant.

A dozen booths had displays and information from local outfitters, businesses and environmental groups, including the Imperial River Conservancy and Turtle Time.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Bonita Springs Waterways Conservation Fund.

Beverly Fox’s small art studio, housed in one of the park’s historic cottages, was open for the event. She said the festival generated more foot traffic in her shop this year.

“It’s bigger and better,” she said. “Last year it seemed like everybody left as soon as the race was over, but people are staying, despite the rain. It’s nice whenever there’s a festival like this because people seem to rediscover us, or discover us for the first time.”

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Imperial River Challenge results

K-1 Surf Ski Men 18+

Marlo Marcheco 22:45

Frazier Gardella 23:07

Larry Parzynski 24:18

K-1 and Surf Ski Women 18+

Lisa Taylor 36:45

Ashley Porter 41:05

Touring Sit-in Kayak 16’ Men 18-59

Brint Adams 26:35

Touring Sit-in Kayak 16’ Senior

William Nilson 28:45

Recreational Sit-in Kayak 15’ Men 18-59

Scott Douglas 53:19

Recreational Sit-in Kayak 15’ Senior

Jan Taylor 38:16

xxxxxxxxxxx Sit On Top Kayak Men 18-59

George Knight 32:47

Justin Gibson 33:14

Adam Thomas 36:13

Sit On Top Kayak Women 18-59

Lauren Barber 34:01

Brenda McCann 35:44

Nona Nikolas 39:20

Sit On Top Kayak Senior

Bruce McNall 38:03

Ben Desmond 41:07

Tandem Canoe 18+

Bruce McNall and Scott McNall 31:17

Robin Stewart and Clark Stewart 36:22

Deborah Gedeon and Richard Pegnetter 36:51

Tandem Kayak 18+

Stan Chrzanowski Sr. and Stan Chrzanowski Jr. 32:40

Lucas Hill and Adam Ujwari 33:21

Brian Balleger and Holly Kennington 39:06

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Have photos or video of this event? Send it to newsupdates@naplesnews.com

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Contact Pete Bishop at lpbishop@comcast.net