By Diane Brangenberg
The Great Illinois Raft Race Committee met last Thursday evening, March 9, at Big John’s Corner in Hardin to get plans underway for the 2023 Great Illinois River Raft Race.
This year’s Raft Race will be held on Saturday, July 8, and begin at Godar-Diamond Island in Michael and end at The William C. Horman Memorial Park in Hardin. The race was a popular annual event in the 80s and 90s and was revived last summer to the delight of Calhoun County residents as well as the surrounding communities.
Co-Chairs, Lindsey Franke and Julie Kronable, welcomed new volunteers as well as new ideas for this year’s event, which is still in the early planning stages.
Vendor fees were discussed as well as potential sponsors, advertising, and set up. According to organizers, there was such a great response last year, with the number of rafts, that it was decided to have three separate tables for sign-ins this year and more judges for rule enforcement.
The committee plans to meet every couple of weeks from now until closer to the time of the event.
If anyone is interested in being a Raft Race vendor, reach out to Mandi Eickmeyer at 618-535-3055.
