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By KC Smith

Cooleemee Correspondent

On Saturday, Aug. 5, the 14th annual rubber duck race was held at RiverPark, Cooleemee Falls or The Bull Hole.

Several vendors were located at the shelter and half way down the hill you could stop and choose from different flavors of sno cones.  Many children were excited to win a ticket at games provided to receive a free one.

The temperature hit above 90 but the South Yadkin River refreshed those in seconds who dared to ride down the rushing water.

Families with children stayed on the shallow areas so they could play in the water safely.

Several families built sand castles and moats under the large arched branches from a tree.

Those who didn’t have a raft or inner tube could still ride the swift flow of the water.

An aroma of Indian food came down from the high hill. A large group of friends, all originally from India, were in the shade on a blanket and enjoying fellowship and food.  Their home is in Charlotte. The park has many visitors from that part of the state.

Saul Mendez found a quiet spot on a large rock under a shaded tree to relax and watch everyone having fun.

An elderly woman was so relaxed while she enjoyed her hammock that had been tied between shade trees.

The fee per car to enter the park is $10 for an event, other days the fee is $5.

Where else can you go and find walking trails through the woods, picnic tables, benches behind the dam to read a book, have lunch or meditate to the sounds of the water?

There are two portals for canoe entrances, clean bathrooms and a shelter where large groups can gather and grill.

And, there’s the river.  Many people arrive early in the morning to make a full day.

RiverPark is a beautiful place and people who come for the first time say this is a hidden gem.  The surrounding nature can take you breath away and beacons you to return again and again.

Contact me at www.cooleemeenews@gmail.com or 336.250.1133. I would love to hear from you.