Third Annual Paddle Battle Kicks Off Saturday

The East End Tourism Alliance will be hosting the third Annual Paddle Battle on the Peconic River in Riverhead this Saturday.

Contenders in kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards will take each other on with a variety of races starting at 9 a.m.

Registration begins at 7:30am and takes place along the riverfront at McDermott Avenue.

“We’ve doubled in size with regards to participants,” Bryan DeLuca, President of EETA said. “And this year, we’re really pleased to introduce the Corporate Challenge to Paddle Battle which benefits the United Way of Long Island Vets Build for local veterans and military families as well as the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation.”

Some of the four person corporate teams include representatives from Pepsi, National Grid, Riverhead Building Supply and PSEG, among others.

Immediately following Paddle Battle, EETA is hosting the first annual RiverCraft Beverage Festival on the East End Arts Lawn on 133 E Main Street.

The event will feature more than 20 craft beverage beer, wine and hard ciders makers from all over New York, plus live music, craft vendors, games and food trucks.

Tickets are available at Eventbrite or at the door.

The festival will run through 4:30 p.m.