Paddles Aweigh!

World Rivers Day Celebration!

Friends of the Rivers’ World Rivers Day Celebration and Art Event, “Paddles Aweigh,” was a memorable community initiative that took place in 2019, leaving a lasting impact on Fort Wayne’s riverfront community. Sponsored by Wells Fargo and Purdue Fort Wayne, the event aimed to spark conversations about river development and stewardship, while fostering community engagement through art.

Local organizations collaborated with artists of all ages to create over 100 beautifully decorated canoe paddles, unveiled during the World Rivers Day celebration on September 29, 2019, at Promenade Park. The vibrant paddles remained on display at various public locations across downtown Fort Wayne until the end of 2019.

Proceeds from the project supported educational programming and tours aboard Sweet Breeze, Fort Wayne’s historic canal boat. The event showcased the community’s pride in its rivers and demonstrated how art and collaboration can advance civic initiatives. Paddle sponsors received their paddles in January 2020, concluding this remarkable celebration of creativity and river stewardship.

Painted paddles for the paddles aweigh call for artist.

Painted paddles for the paddles aweigh call for artists.

Group of 5 people standing with a paddle shaped like a fish for the Paddles Aweigh call for artists.

Woman with a paddle that has a whale painted on it for the Paddles Aweigh call for artists.

Woman in a pink top with paddles for the Paddles Aweigh call for artists.

Information table at the Paddles Aweigh event.