Schedule Set for Saturday's Healdsburg Water Carnival

The Healdsburg Water Carnival returns to Saturday, July 14, for a second year of old-time revelry on the Russian River.

Healdsburg Police will close vehicle access to the starting at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The carnival starts with a 11 a.m. parade of whimsical floats passing under the historic Healdsburg Memorial Bridge, followed by games, contests, live music by the band Kaza Moze, and food, drinks and treats from local food trucks.

New this year is an after-carnival benefit concert by Jazz Mafia Allstars, an ensemble of jazz innovators who incorporate electronica, soul, funk, big band, orchestral-crossover and hip-hop into their music.

The carnival is free and runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jazz Mafia Allstars tickets are $20 for Regional Parks members or $25 for non-members and are available at brownpapertickets.com/event/250033 .

so plan accordingly.

Here is the schedule of events:
· 11 a.m. - Parade on the Russian River. Floats put in north of Memorial Bridge and pass under the bridge to Memorial Beach

· 12 p.m. - Great American Rubber Duck Race. Entries can be purchased at the carnival. Grand prize is two round-trip tickets to San Diego on Alaska Airlines

· 12:30 p.m. - World-Record Wine Barrel Racing

· 1:30 p.m. – Vintage Swimsuit Contest

· 2:30 p.m. – Whiskeroo Contest

· 3 p.m. – World-Record Wine Barrel Racing (finals)

· 5 p.m. – Jazz Mafia All Stars Concert

The to help pay for the summer dam that creates the Memorial Beach swimming area.

When the dam’s installation was threatened by budget cuts, Regional Parks partnered with the City of Healdsburg and Supervisor Mike McGuire to rally the community with a party based on river festivals of the early 1900s.

The event’s success was recognized by the California Park and Recreation Society earlier this year with a “Champion of the Community” award for Sonoma County Regional Parks. Like last year, proceeds from the carnival and concert will support the beach.

Veterans Memorial Beach is at 13839 Healdsburg Ave. in Healdsburg. Visitors will be directed to parking areas at the beach or in nearby lots. Parking is $7 or free for Regional Parks members.