People invited to Boats in the Breaks to celebrate 20 years of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument

Havre Daily News staff

Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument is inviting people to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument by joining the Boats in the Breaks canoe and kayak race Saturday, July 17.

People at the event can paddle 20 miles of Montana’s Wild and Scenic Missouri River from Fort Benton to Wood Bottom Recreation Area while supporting the Friends’ efforts to protect and preserve the monument, a Friends release said. 

“Kick back and relax after the race at the Boats, Brews and Blues event in historic Fort Benton,” the release said. “This annual event, hosted by our partners at ChoCo Fun, includes a Montana craft brewfest and a free community concert featuring The Two Tracks, The Workers and Molly & Peter Wilson.”

The release said racers can compete solo or in teams of two in canoes or kayaks. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in the solo and pair categories. Space is limited, and people can register now at https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/MT/FortBenton/BoatsintheBreaks or by visiting Friends’ website at http://missouribreaks.org . Registration deadline is June 30, 2021.

The registration fee per canoe or kayak is $35 for solo and $50 for pairs.

This event is a fundraiser for the Friends, which also turned 20 this year. The Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument protects and preserves the monument through its work in stewardship, education and advocacy. 

If people are looking for a different way to participate, Friends is in need of volunteers to help with a variety of duties on race day, including registration, parking attendants, safety officers and more. People can sign up to volunteer by emailing [email protected].

The organization gave a “thank you” to its partners and sponsors at Golden Triangle Brewing, Great West Engineering, ChoCo Fun and the Bureau of Land Management.

People, businesses or organizations interested in being a co-sponsor for the event can contact Friends at [email protected] “and put your business’s name in the public eye while supporting a great cause,” the release said.