One of the contestants in the 2017 Gasquet Raft Race transformed their craft into a shark. Photo from https://gasquetraftrace.com.

It’s not a race — registration isn’t required and there won’t be an official start time — but Gasquet could still see a flotilla of inflatable crafts float down the Smith River on Saturday.

A tradition for more than half a century, the race will be a run this year to be safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, organizer Jina Bowen told the Wild Rivers Outpost.

Participants are urged to float downstream from the confluence of the Smith’s middle and north forks to the Mary Adams Peacock bridge and then visit the Gasquet American Legion Hall, buy a t-shirt and get a free Taylor’s hot dog, she said.

“We’re encouraging people to dress up and go down the river like we’ve been doing for 50 years,” Bowen said. “This one’s just a free run. We want to keep the tradition alive and be there, and next year, we’ll be back to normal hopefully.”

The Gasquet Raft Run is in its 51st year. According to resident Barbara Bono, the race was originally spearheaded by the PTA at Mountain School. Working with the students, the PTA would silk screen t-shirts and sell them to raise money, Bono said.

Since then, the raft race has benefitted the Gasquet Volunteer Fire Department and then the American Legion, Bono said.

“People used to get dressed up and fancy up their rafts and stuff,” she said. “it’s come a long way. We didn’t have that many people, but it was fun and it was a good cause. People have collections of t-shirts. We don’t want to miss a year.”

The Gasquet Raft Race has grown each year since Bowen took over about a decade ago. The event is one of the American Legion’s largest fundraisers of the year, she said, and then COVID-19 hit.

“We still have to keep going,” she said, saying this year is the “year of the mask.” “We’ll be selling t-shirts and hats an dmaking some money to keep the American Legion’s bills paid.”

After floating downstream, t-shirts will be for sale between 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Masks and hats will also be for sale and people can order them by texting (707) 954-1836.

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