6TH ANNUAL "BARGE BASH"
The Hancock Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the National Park Service, will hold the 6th Annual C&O Canal Barge Bash on Saturday, 7 June 2008. The Bash consist of home made floatable units representing anything from a John Deere Tractor or Mississippi River Boat, from Huck Finn rafts to a Volunteer Fire Truck. Many of the entries are constructed on flat bottom “john boats” or canoes. Barges must be towed by people power, animal power or bicycle power - no motorized methods allowed. Barges will enter the watered portion of the C&O Canal at Church Street and be pulled, pedaled or towed to the Canal Boat Ramp bridge at Pennsylvania Avenue. Awards will be made for speediest, most authentic, peoples choice, and various other categories.
Use your imagination - suggest you select a theme and accompany it with music - previous entries have been Beverley Hillbillies, Yellow Submarine, and
other barges with well known musical adaptations.
Entry fee for a barge is $100 - Sponsors will be obtained for non-profit entries. Proceeds from entry fees used for advertising and support needs for barge
bash, such as program printing, rental of sound equipment, and trophies/awards to various barge categories.
For additional information contact Louis Close, 301-678-5900 or Penny Pittman, 301-678-6346, Hancock Chamber of Commerce. For review of previous events go to www.hancockmd.com and click on Photo Hi-lights for previous Barge Bashes.
Schedule of Events
(Subject to change)
C & O Canal
Church Street & Canal Road
"Barges" on Display - 12 Noon
Live music by Mike Klingerman and his guitar
Educational displays by NPS and PATC
Food and drinks by Mountain State Crusiers Car Club
Widmeyer Park
Activities begin after Barge Bash - approximately 4 pm - 10 pm
Snyder's Amusements Carnival sponsored by the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department
Fireworks show - 10 pm - Close of Carnival