photos by David Halterman

Last weekends Animas River Days celebration coincided perfectly with the longest day of summer, warmer temperatures and high waters. Between the Friday evening antics of the River Parade and the Sunday afternoon rodeo competition in Corner Pocket, there was a little something for everyone. After all, the Animas is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the country, whats not to celebrate?

Several kayakers warm up in Corner Pocket before the rodeo competition on Sunday. Corey Nielsen creates a wall of water with the first stroke of his paddle during Saturdays slalom. A celebratory cheer is given as boats push off from 32nd Street at the beginning of the parade Friday. It was all laughs at the end of the well-hydrated river parade. An estimated 80 rivercraft made the swift journey from 32nd Street to the Four Corners takeout Friday evening. A reveler leaps from the pedestrian bridge behind the high-school in an attempt to catch up to the party barge just downstream. The crowd at the Whitewater Park on Friday reacts to carnage during the parade. Spectators watch Drew Beezley in Corner Pocket during the river rodeo competition on Sunday. Sarah Kunz awaits her turn on the slalom course Saturday.