Luke Janik, Cade Janik, Sara Morales (instructor), Summer Morales, and Taylor Morales all working on their crafts.
The Auglaize River Regatta was hosted by the Oakwood Economic Development Company on Saturday, June 21st. Executive Director, Damien Morales, was encouraged with all the kids and young people who came out to the Oakwood Community Park.
Along with the river race, the event had a fun time with the kids making crafts while the Community Band performed in the grandstand. Food was provided by CJ’s Place, with their location being at 5-Span Bridge at SR 111.
Paulding County Hospital’s Rob Goshia and Randy Ruge place 1st.
The boat races started at the Auglaize Canoe and Kayak campground southeast of the city limits, about three miles upstream from the village. The adult race had 10 boats competing. The winner of the first race, Adults 2-person canoe, was Paulding County Hospital, represented by Rob Goshia and Randy Ruge. Pat Bloomfield won the one-person kayak division. It was very warm out with the sun beating down and not much shade on the river itself, but all of the kayakers had a lot of fun.
Following lunch, Brian and the Poor Bottom Grass band began playing for the crowds, listening to the bluegrass music.
This was the first annual event of the Regatta and there are other events that the Oakwood Economic Development is also working on along with the boy scouts, Gleaners and other local organizations.
The Oakwood Economic Development Corporation has been around for years and now it is seeing a revitalization. Damien said his goal is to bring the community together and also bring jobs to Oakwood while promoting the existing resources and business already there. Business-wise it’s been a depressed area for years and he believes there is a way for Oakwood to grow. “Bringing jobs here will bring families and that is what we need.” Paulding County itself has dealt with issues such as these and each area is working to make their part better and more enticing for industry.
Auglaize Canoe and Kayak was the featured company at the event. They provided the canoes and kayaks and all the events began from their Livery at the primitive camping sites. The campground has two locations and one happens to be on a farm on the Putnam side of the county line. They really know the area! The Weller family has been at this site for nine generations, beginning back to the founding of the country. They have deeds signed by Andrew Jackson, who was not even President yet.
It was very interesting to talk with Bonnie Weller. She and her husband started the campground in 2013 after they retired. She was a teacher at Paulding Middle School and Doug sold trucks in Defiance for International. They love the river and thought pursuing this was a good option for their retirement.
Both campgrounds are available from May 1st to November 1st. If the history of the land doesn’t want to make you camp there, then maybe it will be the wildlife. Bonnie mentioned all the wildlife they have seen including the rare river otter and the bald eagles. “We love to make people smile. You will have lots of fun here!”
For more information on the kayaking or campgrounds, visit their website at auglaizecanoe.com.
