Modesto RecFest reminds community it can hike, bike, paddle, more along Tuolumne River
Modesto RecFest returned to the banks of the Tuolumne River and Dry Creek this weekend, for the first time since before the pandemic.
The grassroots event brought more than 150 people out Saturday to Gateway Park to hike, bike, boat, fish and more along the waterways and trails. The annual event is a partnership between the Tuolumne River Trust and other community groups and organizations to encourage more recreation along the river.
The festival had planned a return in March after being canceled for three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the storms and flooding from this past winter forced a postponement of the spring event. Saturday’s event included about a dozen information booths from local recreation and nature groups, community organizations and local businesses.
“It’s great to have it back,” said Chris Guptill, founder of the volunteer organization Operation 9-2-99, which does river cleanups once a month on the Tuolumne River in Modesto. “We’re trying to encourage people to come use the park and know what’s out here for them.”
This story was originally published October 22, 2023 at 8:00 AM.
