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!
For immediate updates follow our Facebook page
Schedule of events
FRIDAY 4/11
(Time TBD) Race line scouting with Race Director (Andrea Morgan)
7:30 PM Potluck: Main dishes Catered by Domenic Bentz: Sign-up for sides here
7:30 PM Community Bonfire | The Lodge
8:30 PM Live Music: Cash O’ Riley | The Lodge
SATURDAY 4/12: Race day
All Day Vendors, MT’s Gear Swap, Raffle tickets | The Lodge Lawn
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)
5 - 6 PM Buffet Dinner at The Lodge (for purchase)
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
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
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
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 $10 per night per person. These include a picnic table and a fire ring.
Bathrooms and showers are available. You can pay upon arrival as well.
Hillside decks and cabins are available as well, but limited.
Please pre-book your site or cabin 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 -
Safety Director - Seth Anderson
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.