64th Canton Canoe Weekend Events
May 1st-3rd, 2026
Friday, May 1st
5:00pm - 6:00pm
The Rushton Tour - Join us on a one-way downstream recreational paddle on the Grasse River from the Pyrites access site on County Route 47 to Taylor Park, a distance of 4.5-miles, or you may launch at Taylor Park and paddle upstream as far as you like, then return to Taylor Park. The paddle from Pyrites follows along much of the original race course. You may launch anytime between 5:00pm and 6:00pm!
Along the Grasse River on the 2022 Rushton Tour
Saturday, May 2nd
9:30am - 11:30am
Modern Rushton Races: Bring your canoe or kayak and join us for the morning recreational races of 1-, 4- or 8-miles. A ‘Rushton Division’ in the 1- and 4-mile races for those paddling Rushton type canoes, either homebuilt or produced by various commercial manufacturers, is sponsored by Slipstream Watercraft. Special awards will be presented for the ‘Rushton Division’. The 'Wounded Warriors Division' in the 1- and 4-mile races is sponsored by Mountain Wounded Warriors Sled Hockey Team.
Start of the Rushton Recreational Races
11:00am - 4:00pm - Music by DJ Double Dutch
12:00pm - Recreational Races Awards Ceremony
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Marathon Canoe and Kayak Pro and Amateur Races - there will be two start lines for C-1 Pro Races. The first start is for the C-1 Pro Men's International World Championship. It will be followed shortly thereafter by the C-1 Pro Women's and C-1 Pro Veteran's International World Championship. These are both 14-mile races. In Addition, a Men's and a Women's two mile Sprint Race will be incorporated at the beginning of the C-1 Pro Races with awards for the top three men and women finishers. The C-1 and K-1 Amateur Races of 12-miles will follow the Women's and Veteran's Pro Race start by about 20 minutes. All races are held on the Grasse and Little Rivers. Awards will be presented following the Joe Randi/Rushton Relay Race at about 4:30pm.
C-1 Pro Racer on the Little River
GT's Famous Chicken Barbeque
12:30pm - 4:00pm or until sold out!
GT's Famous Chicken Barbecue - Join us for a chicken barbeque dinner or just a 1/2 chicken. The chicken dinner includes 1/2 chicken, salt potatoes, pasta salad, homemade roll, brownie or cookie and a drink for $15. A half chicken only option is also available for $9. Pre-orders by Sunday, April 25th are appreciated and will help GT's plan, pre-order cutoff will be Wednesday, April 30th at 12:00pm! Please have cash ready at pick-up time on Saturday (exact change preferred). You may also pay via Venmo. Sorry, we cannot take credit cards at Taylor Park.
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Joe Randi/Rushton Relay Race - Join in for this fun relay race with classes for Family and Friends, High School Teams, College Challenge Teams and an Open Division. This is a fun two-mile race!
Relay Race Paddlers Switching Crew on the Grasse River
4:30pm - C-1/K-1 Races Awards Ceremony
Sunday, May 3rd
10:00am - 12:00pm
Marathon Canoe and Kayak Pro and Amateur Races - there will be two start lines. The first race start will be for C-2 Pro Men, Women and Veterans, a 14-mile race. The second start will be for C-2 and K-2 Amateur, Stock and K-1 Special Races and will follow shortly after the Pro Race start. This is a 12-mile race. All races are held on the Grasse and Little Rivers. Awards will be presented to the top finishers in the pro division following the races.
C-2 Pro Paddlers on the Little River