Get ready to paddle hard, play harder, and celebrate the wild spirit of whitewater at Slip Fest 2025! Join us this April at McConnells Mill State Park, Pennsylvania, for an action-packed weekend of whitewater racing, live music, camping, vendors, and gear raffles. Whether you’re a racer, paddler, or outdoor enthusiast, this festival is the perfect way to kick off the spring paddling season. Don’t miss the excitement, community, and adventure—mark your calendars now for Slip Fest 2025!
Download our event schedule and information for this weekend, keep it on you during the fest!
Quick Tips for the Fest & Race
Bring cash for vendors, food, camping & raffle tickets, service and internet can be spotty. Although most vendors will take card, have a backup.
There is a small bathroom and shower house at the campground.
You can pay for camping when you arrive or online.
Be prepared for rainy weather and cold, it’s early spring after all!
If you’re not racing there is a path along the river you can hike to spectate the race. There’s plenty to do in the area if you don’t kayak.
Do not park at Eckert Bridge | Racers can drive their kayaks down but please park back at the campground and walk back to the bridge. Parking is extremely limited.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY 4/11
5-7 PM | 5 PM meet to shuttle | 5:30 launch| Eckert Bridge | Race line scouting with Race Director (Andrea Morgan)
7:30 PM Potluck: Main dishes Catered by Domenic Bentz: Sign-up for sides here
8 PM Community Bonfire | The Lodge
8:30 PM Live Music: Cash O’ Riley | The Lodge
SATURDAY 4/12: Race day
All Day Gear Vendors, Beer Vendor, MT’s Gear Swap, Raffle tickets | The Lodge Lawn
7-9 AM Breakfast: $15 per person | The Lodge
10 am Director Confirms Race Conditions | The Lodge
10 am - 12 pm Race day check-in/ grab your bibs | The Lodge
1:15 pm Pre-race meeting 1:15 pm | Eckert Bridge
2 - 3 pm Race start (in waves) | Please walk to Eckert Bridge after dropping your boats, parking is very limited.
5 - 6 PM Buffet Dinner at The Lodge ($25 per person)
7 PM Awards Ceremony & Raffles | The Lodge
8:30 - 10 PM The Five ‘N’ Dime Poets - live music | The Lodge
8:30 - 10 PM Community bonfire | The Lodge
SUNDAY 4/13
7-9 AM Breakfast: $15 per person | The Lodge
9AM Join in on a river trip with your fellow campers!
Megan Thompson’s Gear Swap at the Lodge
Bring any and all of your used outdoor gear! To trade, sell,
or giveaway. Price/contact info stickers will be provided
Gear Raffles
Head into The Lodge to purchase raffle tickets and place them
in the basket of your choosing. You can win PFD’S, Paddles, drytops, stickers, drysuits and much more! The drawing will be Saturday night.
The Friday Potluck & Meals
The Keel-Haulers Canoe Club, with the help of its very own Chef Domenic Bentz.
We're asking people to please sign in and bring a side or a dish! That will give us an accurate(ish) head count for a whole lot of spectacular food! Sign up at the link below.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17njQlorG0P3M-fy7U6bTCzxDfxKaa5mLjbXY-ZsR5ig/edit?usp=sharing
Breakfast & Dinner
Campground staff will be serving breakfast Saturday + Sunday, and dinner on Saturday for purchase.
Please bring cash to pay for your meals or sign-up online below to prepay before April 10th.
The Race
Saturday, April 12th on Lower Slippery Rock Creek (As conditions seem fit)
The race will take place on Lower Slippery Rock Creek, between Eckert Bridge and Harris Bridge. The race course takes place on a Class II Whitewater section as defined by American Whitewater, recommended for experienced paddlers. Race classes are available for kayaks, canoes, rafts, and SUPs. The safety team will be placed throughout the course at major rapids.
REGISTER FOR THE RACE BELOW
Camping & Accommodations
Primitive sites are $20 per night per person. These include a picnic table and a fire ring.
Bathrooms and showers are available. Please pay upon arrival.
Hillside decks and cabins are available as well, but limited.
Please pre-book your cabin or deck at https://www.cheesemanfarm.com/breakneckcampground
1757 Cheeseman Rd Portersville, PA 16051
Leadership Team
Festival Director - Rachel Faber
Assistant Festival Director - Brian Smart
Race Director - Andrea Morgan
Assistant Race Director - Matt Pascal
Swap Meet Director - Todd Sledzik
Safety Director - Jason Rovira
Start and Timer Director - Mike Vogel
Registration Director - Kristen Walters Maag
Human Relations - Ted Moore
As we get closer to the date our directors will be looking to build their teams, if you are interested in helping in any capacity please email slipfestandrace@gmail.com or reach out to the directors personally.
Contact Us
Would you like to volunteer, sponsor, or be a vendor at Slip Fest? Or just have a few questions?
Contact us at slipfestandrace@gmail.com.