Beaver Bay Beach Bash!

Watch the Minnesota State Championship Canoe Races

September 7th & 8th, 2024

Watch two days of canoe racing on the upper Mississippi and beach party with your neighbors! Starting at 10 a.m. both days, enjoy the Headwaters Mississippi MN State Canoe Championship. Arrive early for boat parking in the Beaver Bay marina or park your bike side-by-side on the driveway of 3210 Lake Ave. NE. Car parking on Lake Ave. only, please. Camping welcome. Bring your lawn chair, cooler, water shoes, and something to grill over a campfire. Chill with friends and play games at this 2nd Annual block party! 🙂

Photos from last year's race!

Click on photos to enlarge view.

Live Music on the Water!

Join us on the water for live music with James "Mudkat" Grant. Music will play from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

James “Mudkat” Grant began listening to rock n roll, classical, and country music early. After seeing the Beatles on TV, he joined his first band in high school, extending it through college years playing hundreds and hundreds of gigs. Having the opportunity to open for the Flying Burrito Brothers in May 1970, changed their repertoire and musical direction. The band, now called North Country, moved to Denver, where they opened for the comedian Steve Martin, but within a year the band had broken up, so Grant moved into doing solo work with vocal, guitar, and harmonica.

Recording his first CD in ’95, “Not the Only World”, which was nominated for a Minnesota Music Award, James continued writing and performing in the upper midwest with occasional forays with other musicians. “This Town”, an EP, with This Town, the title cut, Southern View, Distant Light, and Something New, was recorded in 2013, with other songs waiting for studio production.

James Grant has been heavily influenced in his writing style by Sting, Neil Young, Dylan, James Taylor, and others, along with environmental and social justice issues. His passion for writing and performing, with guitar and vocal study, has continued to this day.

www.mudkatmusic.com

Beaver Paddle Battle!

Trophy artwork designed and painted by Nina Lubarski

Join in the racing fun on your own paddle-powered craft. It is a free, fun, amateur beer boat race where participants paddle while enjoying some friendly competition and, of course, beer. This social and entertaining event is open to anyone who wants to join, regardless of skill level.

The ultimate prize for the victorious team in the Beaver Paddle Battle is the Coveted Annual Paddle Trophy. This is a unique and cherished award held by the winning team for an entire year, serving as a proud reminder that embodies the spirit of the Beaver Paddle Battle. This trophy is not just a symbol of victory but is also a living record of the event’s history, signed by each year’s champions. Along with the trophy, winners earn the ultimate bragging rights, celebrated by all participants and spectators. They become part of the event’s storied history, joining the ranks of past champions.

Details & Location

3210 Lake Ave, Bemidji.

Boat parking in the bay, car parking on Lake Ave.

(Bike & side-by-side parking allowed on the island in the driveway.)

Minnesota Canoe Championship

Two-Day event in Bemidji, MN
September 7 & 8, 2024

All racing participants must register online, or on-site 1 hour before race times. There will be a fee of $20 per person for the competitive races for the entire race weekend – pay on-site.

Weekend schedule – All awards on site after races

Saturday 1:00 pm – Tandem Canoe; Men’s and Women’s Races

Pro Category (1.5 hours)
Standard Category (45 Minutes)

Saturday 3:30 pm – Solo C1/Kayak/Paddleboard; Men’s and Women’s Races

Pro and Standard Categories (45 Minutes)

Saturday 3:45 pm – Beaver Paddle Battle

It is a fun, free amateur event. If you can use a paddle to power it, you can enter and race it!

Saturday 5 pm – 8 pm – Live Music on the Water

James “Mudkat” Grant

Sunday 11:00 am –Tandem Canoe; Mixed Races

Pro Category (1.5 hours)
Standard Category (45 Minutes)

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Race Sponsors