Steel City Arkansas River Festival (SCARF) Hosted July 26

PUEBLO-Pueblo Parks and Recreation is hosting the inaugural Steel City Arkansas River Festival (SCARF) on July 26, 2025. Multiple events take place throughout the day located at the Nature Wildlife Discovery Center, the new WaterWorks Park and the kayak course near Pillars Park at the Arkansas River Levee from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

"We're excited to welcome community members, visitors and spectators to this inaugural SCARF event," said Outdoor Recreation Coordinator Lindsay Martin. "Pueblo is full of amazing water amenities from the newly constructed WaterWorks Park, the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center, the Kayak Park at the Arkansas River Levee and more."

There are two competitive events including Build Your Own Boat Race and the Freestyle River Surf Competition, and two community events including the Paddle and Bike Parade and a Rubber Duck Race. Free shuttle service for the community is offered through Pueblo Transit, with a pickup location at Main Street Parking Garage which takes participants or spectators to City Park and Pillar Park. A free bike valet will be located at WaterWorks Park provided by Grassroots Gravel.

The Build Your Own Boat Race takes place at 10:00 a.m. on July 26 at the Nature Wildlife Discovery Center and ends approximately 1.05 miles downriver at WaterWorks Park.

The Freestyle River Surf Competition, presented by Badfish, is a fun, light-hearted river surfing competition to showcase WaterWorks Park. There are two divisions for both women and men with adult 16 years and older or the junior division for 10-15-year-olds. The competition takes place at the lower wave of WaterWorks Park beginning at 12:00pm.

During multiple events is the Trailgate with live music, food trucks and hands on demonstrations. Trailgate is located at Pillar Park near the Arkansas River Levee and is from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Hands on demonstrations include fly fishing from pueblo tailwater Renegades and TU Chapter, disc golf from Steel City Shooters, skateboarding from Morning Star Creations and bike repair provided by Great Divide.

The Paddle and Bike Parade at SCARF presented by The Edge Ski and Paddle Shop and Pueblo Youth Mountain Biking Team is a free event but does require registration. This community river float and bike ride is for participants eight-years-old and older, but children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a trusted adult. Personal flotation devices are required for participants on the river and helmets are strongly encouraged for individuals riding on the river trail. The event begins at 3:00 p.m. at WaterWorks Park's Burkhardt Crossing and finishes approximately 2.45 miles downriver or trail at Pillars Park near the Charles Lee Bridge area.

Last event of the day at SCARF is the Rubber Duck Race, which begins at 6:00 p.m. at Wildhorse Creek Bridge and ends with the first duck to cross the finish line at Lee Charles Bridge. Funds will benefit scholarships for Pueblo Parks & Recreation's youth programming.

"This event is open to all ages and skills levels whether that is through participation or as a spectator, we hope to see you Saturday, July 26," said Martin.

For more information about SCARF or any of the registered events visit the SCARF webpage, call Pueblo Parks and Recreation at 719-553-2790 or email Lindsay Martin at lmartin@pueblo.us.