Green Valley Park’s Annual TubeFest Fundraiser will return to Big Hill Road on the New River, Saturday, August 25th, from 10 am to 4 pm. The Green Valley Park is located at 3746 Big Hill Road, between the Green Valley School and Todd. Participants should meet at the Park’s lower parking lot near the canoe ramp for a brief shuttle ride upstream. They will then float down the scenic New River for about an hour in (what else?) tubes. Children must be accompanied by an adult while they float. The cost of the fundraiser is $10 per tube per ride per person and includes the shuttle. The last shuttle of the afternoon will leave at 3:50 p.m.
Come dressed to get wet and wear water shoes or sandals. This year, food and beverages will be available for purchase from Captain Jim’s Seafood Truck (Hot Dogs- $2.00, Fries- $2.50, Drinks- $2.00, Shrimp Basket- $9.00, Fish and Chips- $10.95, Hot dog/fries/drink Combo- $6.00). (The vendor is donating a share of the proceeds to the Park.)
Since the Green Valley Community Park is an alcohol-free zone, please respect our family-friendly policies. Remember not to dump trash in the beautiful New River—especially not bottles. Trash and recycling containers will be available at the Park.
Walk or play at the Park, which offers a soccer field, long paved walking loop, walking trails, picnic shelter, restrooms, bandstand, and a children’s playground–or splash in the New River. (Participants are, however, asked to return their tubes before swimming so that everyone will have a chance to float.)
The Green Valley Park, which is on the Audubon Society Birding Trail, is open to the public. It is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization that is run by an all-volunteer board of directors from the local community. The Park has no paid employees. A young, local entrepreneur has a contract to cut the grass, and a local couple are contracted to clean the restrooms near the picnic shelter by the upper entrance. The Green Valley Park gratefully acknowledges receipt of money from Watauga County toward operating costs and has received public and private grants and many donations over the years. Next year will mark the Twentieth Anniversary of the Park!
Groups planning to use the picnic shelter should consult the calendar online at www.greenvalleypark.org in order to book the shelter, the soccer field, or the bandstand. To assure equal access for the general public, the Green Valley Park licenses only a few outfitters a year to use the canoe ramp commercially. This year High Mountain Expeditions and RiverGirl Fishing Co. are donating the use of their tubes and personnel for TubeFest. The Park’s directors deeply appreciate the support received from these outfitters, the food truck’s owner, and all the friends of the Park, as well as the vital support from Watauga County.
For further information about the Park or about TubeFest see our website: www.greenvalleypark.org.