Annual canoe races at Cow Meadow Park bring will bring Freeport community together

The annual canoe races at Cow Meadow Park in Freeport are a cherished community event, offering residents an opportunity to enjoy a day of family and friendly fun on the water.

Scheduled for August 4, this year’s races are expected to draw participants and spectators eager to engage in a tradition that dates back several decades.

The races will begin at 10a.m. and go until there are no more racers who haven’t competed, or about 2p.m.

Ken Dookram, President of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the event’s inclusive and community-oriented nature: “It’s an opportunity to have fun with family and a community event. People can go on canoes, something they don’t normally do. It’s just another way the chamber, the village, and the PAL get people with families involved in the community.”

The event is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Freeport Police Athletic League, the Village of Freeport, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Maryanne Endo, whose husband was a member of the chamber before he passed, plays the central role in organizing the races.

Reflecting on its origins, she shared, “Marian Knoeler and the Chamber of Commerce were the organizers. It was a Ladies Auxiliary for the Chamber of Commerce, and that goes back, oh, must be more than 30 years, probably more than that, maybe 40.”

Endo’s involvement began when her children participated in the races. “My children raced in it, and my husband went into it. They had a parent-child race and also child-child races. They were one of the first ones going into the race,” she recalled.

Over the years, the event has evolved, but its core mission of fostering community spirit has remained unchanged.

The location of the races has shifted several times. Originally held along the Nautical Mile behind the Point Lookout restaurant, the event now takes place at Cow Meadow Park.

This change has made the event more accessible and safer for participants. “We do it there primarily because we do not have to worry about the tide change. We can do it whether it’s high tide or low tide because it’s a beach,” Endo explained.

The format of the races has also seen changes to encourage broader participation. “We no longer have specific titles to each race. For instance, we don’t have a woman’s race. It’s a combination. We don’t have men and women or just children. Everybody can go into the race,” Endo said.

This inclusivity extends to the types of participants, from novices to more experienced paddlers, with races tailored to suit all levels.

Officer Robert Ford, the executive director of the Freeport PAL, has been instrumental in organizing the event.

“It’s an annual way to kind of bridge the community together, local businesses, business residents. You know, a day of play, so to speak,” Ford said.

He highlighted the event’s ability to bring together different segments of the community, fostering unity and enjoyment. “There are very few opportunities where people from different areas of Freeport, who have different priorities, can meet in the same place, at the same time, doing the same type of activity and have the same kind of fun.”

Ford, a Freeport resident and police officer since 2005, spoke to the PAL’s role in managing the event logistics. “We hire a canoe rental service,” he explained.

The suggested $20 donation helps cover the costs of canoe rentals, insurance, and other services for the day.

The canoes are provided by Bob’s Canoe Rentals, ensuring that participants have everything they need for a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a brief hiatus, the event has bounced back with renewed vigor. Endo has been instrumental in ensuring its continuity, emphasizing the importance of such activities in promoting a positive community atmosphere.

“I feel that activity is very, very important. It’s a community event, plus a family event, plus an active event. You don’t have to have a skill. Anybody can go – young, old, male, female, anybody,” she said.

Safety is a top priority, with life jackets provided and safety measures in place to ensure a secure environment for all participants. The event also features medals for the winners, fostering a sense of achievement and pride among the racers. “The pride that they have of the medals is unbelievable. I see them coming back a couple of years with the medal from last year around their neck, and they wanted to add another one,” Endo remarked.

Looking forward, the organizers hope to attract more participants. Registration is available on the day of the event, with a $20 donation covering canoe rental and unlimited races. Interested parties can also pre-register by contacting the Freeport Chamber of Commerce.

In an era marked by stress and negativity, the annual canoe races offer a refreshing opportunity for families and individuals to come together, have fun, and create lasting memories. As Endo aptly put it, “Our world is so stressed, is so angry, is so negative, and I just want everybody to smile, even if it’s for a couple of hours.”

“If I can get somebody to smile, I’ll be thrilled,” she concluded.

For more information or to pre-register — though on-site registration is also being offered — contact the Freeport Chamber of Commerce at 516-223-8840.

Join the community on August 4 at Cow Meadow Park for a day of fun, camaraderie, and healthy competition on the water.