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Tire Hill, Somerset County

Tire Hill, Somerset County


Each week we map out a getaway in the region. If you have a suggestion for a great day trip, e-mail getaway@post-gazette.com or write RoadTrip, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.Whatever floats your boat:

This week, RoadTrip is getting a little ahead of itself so you can prepare for a splashy event on the weekend of April 21-23.

It's the Stonycreek Rendezvous, an annual rite of spring for the whitewater set. Just outside Johnstown, the event features a whole weekend of watery activities including raft rides and races in the Stonycreek River Canyon.

It's grand: The festival will be based at Greenhouse Park in Tire Hill, Somerset County, home of the proposed Stonycreek Whitewater Park, a 300-yard-long series of year-round rapids for boaters to play in that could be built in the river as early as this fall.

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Meanwhile, the hosting Benscreek Canoe Club promises that this celebration will have something for everyone, even landlubbers.

There will be raft rides Saturday and Sunday ($40, or $30 for students).

A downriver race to the park is scheduled on Friday, and flat-water race from there into Johnstown on Saturday. The freestyle whitewater rodeo also will be held on one of the river's rapids Saturday afternoon, and even the winners will hit the rocks with their famed stone trophies.

Also Saturday, there will be guided mountain bike rides on trails newly built at nearby Highland Park.

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While you're there: You're welcome to roam, as 10 rivers and creeks course through the area offering a range of rapids from class I though V, lots of beautiful mountain country and several eateries within 20 minutes of the festival site.

Other fun there includes a silent auction, loud live music, gear vendors, food and more.

Admission is $5 per person, as is camping at the park, and don't worry about chill: Firewood is free.

Proceeds will be used to support a Stonycreek River Recreation Fund, the Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project and the group American Whitewater.

Point your paddle, from the Pittsburgh area, drive east on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the Somerset exit. Head north on U.S. Route 219 and exit at Davidsville, following state Route 403 north. "Greenhouse Park is a half-mile past the second red light on the right," notes the event's Web site. "You went too far if you get to the 'T' intersection at the third red light."

More details: Dip into the Web site www.benscreekcanoeclub.com/Rendezvous.htm for more on the proposed whitewater park and this event.

We like how they say the Rendezvous happens "rain or shine."

First Published: April 2, 2006, 5:00 a.m.

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