Save the Tygart invites people to float down the river this weekend

GRAFTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — This weekend, Save the Tygart has asked people to float down the river to raise money for a good cause.

The Tygart Valley River Rally 2024 is being hosted by Save the Tygart this weekend. The festivities began on Friday and go into Saturday with funds raised going toward improving the river through things like cleaning up acid mine drainage, according to Executive Director Kelley Flaherty.

“We do environmental monitoring in the river. We clean up acid mine drainage – work with different groups to do that. We also have an education program where we work with K-12 schools, and hopefully we’ll put on some more recreational events like this one in the future,” Flaherty said.

On Friday, visitors were able to pay $10 to float a mile down the Tygart Valley River in inner tubes as part of the event’s “Lazy River Float.” Live music was also performed on Friday by The Mason’s and The Wilson Family Band.

On Saturday, people can try out kayaking and river snorkeling on the river free of charge, but can also pay $12 to join a group kayak down to Valley Falls. An Art in the Park Maker’s Market will also be hosted at Valley Falls by the Taylor County Arts Council.

Flaherty told 12 News that the River Rally is Save the Tygart’s largest fundraiser of the year and that the organization’s mission since its founding in 2001 has been to improve the Tygart Valley River.

To learn more about the event and to see a full schedule, click here .

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