LIFT Youth Center, Inc., in conjunction with the City of Ringgold, the City of Fort Oglethorpe, the Catoosa County Fire Department and other local businesses and agencies, will be expanding their annual community paddling event into a two-event series known as the LIFT Creek Challenge.

The first event, the Ringgold Regatta, will take place on June 27 in Ringgold. The second event, the
Fort O Float, will be held on July 18 in Fort Oglethorpe. Visit www.LIFTyouthcenter.org/creek to register for one or both free events.

Officials said, "Through the LIFT Creek Challenge, LIFT Youth Center hopes to bring individuals and families together to enjoy Catoosa County’s waterways while building community and encouraging outdoor recreation.

The Catoosa County Fire Department will be on the water keeping everyone safe at both events while practicing water rescue for their fire fighters."

Catoosa County Fire Department Fire Chief Daniel Walston said, “We enjoy being key players in this fun event as we are committed to keeping the community safe. LIFT is led by a great group of people that provide an important community resource. We are glad to partner with them during these community events.”

Event details:

- Ringgold Regatta – June 27. The Ringgold Regatta will be a fun morning paddling or floating along the South Chickamauga Creek in Ringgold. The event will begin at the Dragging Canoe Launch at Creekside Park. Don’t have a kayak or canoe, but you have a tube? No problem. There will be two different routes available, one designed for boats and another just for tubes. Tubers will be shuttled upstream to their start by the Water Treatment Plant, and boaters will start at the Dragging Canoe Launch. As boaters come off the creek behind Ringgold High School, we’ll bring them and their boats back to their cars by way of a shuttle bus and trailers. All tubers will finish at the Dragging Canoe Launch. Once participants are back, we’ll feed everyone a free lunch of grilled hotdogs, chips, dessert and a drink.

Fort O Float – July 18. The Fort O Float will be a memorable morning paddling along the West Chickamauga Creek in Fort Oglethorpe. The event will begin with check-in at the Cloud Springs Launch, and participants will be transported to the put-in behind O’Charley’s on Battlefield Parkway.
Paddlers will finish their journey at the Cloud Springs Launch, where they will enjoy a complimentary lunch featuring grilled hot dogs, chips, dessert and a drink.

LIFT still needs sponsors to help cover the costs of t-shirts for this two-part event series. If you wish to join those who have already sponsored the LIFT Creek Challenge, visit LIFTyouthcenter.org/creek or email info@LIFTyouthcenter.org.

Donations can be made online at www.LIFTyouthcenter.org/donate.