This September, over 200 paddlers from across the region came together for the 10th Annual Paddle Antrim Festival, celebrating the beauty and accessibility of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. This year marked a 24% increase in participation compared to recent festivals, making it one of our strongest years yet!
Paddlers explored the recently designated Pure Michigan Water Trail, with 63 completing the full 42-mile route from Ellsworth to Elk Rapids. Even more impressive, two dedicated paddlers have now completed the full distance every year since the festival began in 2015—what an incredible commitment!
“This year’s festival was a true celebration of our waterways and community,” said Deana Jerdee, Executive Director of Paddle Antrim. “We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us on the water and helped make this 10th anniversary so special.”
Of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing community partners and sponsors. Special thanks go to Short’s Brewing Company and the Great Lakes Sports Commission. And a huge shoutout to our 22 Wavemakers—local businesses and organizations who provide vital support year after year. You can see the full list of Wavemakers at www.paddleantrim.com/wavemakers.
The festival also wouldn’t be complete without our incredible volunteers. Over 90 people helped make the event run smoothly, from safety paddlers to shoreline support. We especially want to recognize the National Honor Society students from local high schools, including 19 volunteers from Central Lake, who helped paddlers at Thurston Park as they finished their day or stopped for lunch. Volunteers supported everything from registration to boat moving, on-water assistance, and more.
Stewardship of our waterways is at the heart of Paddle Antrim’s mission. Thanks to the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, every paddle craft was washed before entering the Chain of Lakes Water Trail in Ellsworth, helping us protect these precious waters for years to come.
We couldn’t be more proud of what our community accomplished this year—celebrating a decade of paddling, protecting our waterways, and connecting our communities.