TRR photo by Tom Kane Keith Paciga, 3, patiently awaits the beginning of the race. His parents, Mike and Madeline Paciga of Jeffersonville entered the mixed class. (Click for larger image)

Callicoon Canoe Regatta keeps growing every year

By TOM KANE

CALLICOON — Over 60 boats participated in the 2002 Callicoon Canoe Regatta this past Sunday.

The June 23 races began in Hankins and ended 7.3 miles down river at the Callicoon bridge.

“It gets bigger and bigger every year,” said organizer Tom Freda. The event is organized by the Scenic River Paddling Club.

The regatta drew hundreds of visitors to the hamlet of Callicoon, ending in a gala chicken barbecue at the Delaware Youth Center after the race. The proceeds from the event went to benefit the youth center. This was the fourth year for the event.

The regatta was made up of two classifications: recreational and competitive. In the competitive category, the regatta is part of the Grand Slam Canoe Competition, which is held along the river during the summer and ends at a race in Shawnee-on-the-Delaware near Stroudsburg on September 15.

“The most popular race category was the mixed class which had men and women, adults and youths,” Freda said.

Sponsors for the event were Matthew Freda Real Estate, Mike Preis Insurance, Roche’s Garage, Sullivan County Democrat, Keith Manzolillo Contracting, Callicoon Supply, Electro-Kinetics, La Shed Du Fred and the Red Barn Campgrounds, where the races originated.