SALMON — The small town of Salmon was buzzing last weekend with local rafters and kayakers there to celebrate the sixth annual Riverfest, which is a fundraiser for the Salmon Whitewater Park.

Local kayakers and rafters gathered in town Friday through Sunday for free classes, festivities and some river recreating.

Riverfest kicked off Friday with a free kayak class for beginners looking to experience the sport. That night, adventure movies, beer and pizza were on the agenda at A-Z Ranch Barn.

Saturday was packed with activities starting with a float from the Shoup Bridge to Carmen. A local pastor blessed the boats and also led a toast to the Salmon River and the community that loves it.

The crowded launch at Shoup Bridge cleared to make way for the very casual races that would take place during the float. Boats found eddies and beaches along the float to stop and watch huge sweep boats pass, and kayakers raced down the flat stretch with rubber balls that they had to throw through hoops hanging on the bridge in town.

The event brought together avid and casual river folk alike, many bringing their dogs and kids along to enjoy the sunny Saturday. With temperatures into the 90s, a day on the water was needed.

Saturday night featured a miniature music festival at the Sacajawea Center with regional musical groups Sons of Bannock and the John Adam Smith Band providing entertainment. A pork taco fest was an option for those who didn’t choose an eatery in town.

Sunday was a casual whitewater day, with rafters heading down the day stretch — a section of rapids only a few minutes outside of town — from Spring Creek to Cove Creek. With higher than usual water levels, the stretch boasted big wave trains and fewer rocks than usual for this time of year.

With river season in full swing thanks to this winter’s snowpack and the higher than normal temperatures, the day stretch is already a popular spot to find kayakers, rafters and even jet boats because of high water levels.

Riverfest itself is fundraiser for the Salmon Whitewater Park, which would feature a play wave near town for kayakers to practice their skills close to home and improvements to the river access of shore and on the Island Park.

In Idaho, the cities of Boise and Cascade boast whitewater parks that have become a huge part of the community, both for daily use and major events.