LISTEN: New route, big changes for Parker Tube Float

The Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce and Tourism has announced a new route and big changes for the 2017 Parker Tube Float.

Making the announcement live on KLPZ 1380am, event organizer Mary Hamilton said that the Float will be held on June 10th, 2017 on an entirely new stretch of the Colorado River north of Parker.

“The route has been shortened and the event area has actually been relocated,” Hamilton told listeners. “We are launching at Buckskin Mountain State Park with the awesome cooperation of Arizona State Parks and the awesome cooperation of La Paz County Parks … going to the event area at La Paz County Park which is just south of Pirate’s Den, where we used to launch.”

Last year, complaints were received by several of the many homeowners on the old route, which passed by some large riverside neighborhoods. The concerns ranged from confrontations with floaters to litter and other issues. A common note was that the length of the Float contributed to these issues.

“By shortening the route, it will now be less than 3 miles instead of almost 8,” Hamilton said. “A shorter Float. There’s reasons it took people almost all day to float down the river and those reasons will be eliminated by this new route.”

Hamilton also said that there is a lot more interest from volunteers since last year’s event as the need for them has become more obvious. She appealed to the Parker community to get in touch with her office to volunteer at the next event, which is supported by many formal entities and agencies also. The need for assist vessels were mentioned in particular, with some boat companies coming from areas like Las Vegas to contribute as assist vessels at the event, and others still needed.

The cost of the event for floaters will go up from $10 to $20 for this year’s event, which Hamilton said could be thought of like a ticket to a music festival or concert.

“It’s a fundraiser,” she said, adding that the event’s revenues are a budget item for her organization, which supports commerce and tourism in the Parker area.

In another new change, shuttles will be provided for the drivers of private vehicles who want to drop their fellow participants off at Buckskin and then park at the finish line at La Paz County Park. The shuttles will bring those drivers north to Buckskin where entire groups can then float back to where their vehicles are parked.

“What we’re providing is a safe day to float the river, have some fun, enjoy the scenery, make some new friends,” Hamilton added.

Listen to the entire segment in this episode of the Parker Livecast above.