Celebrate the Village of Hardin's 175-year (Quartoseptennial) Anniversary with a bang! The Great Illinois River Raft Race returns from its long absence- multiple races run from Godar Diamond to a marked finish line at the Hardin Riverfront. The village's anniversary celebration will also include fireworks, community vendors selling food, drinks, crafts, and goods, a beer tent, 50/50 raffle, bounce houses, an official bags tournament, and more! Live music will accompany the festivities and multiple vendors will be on site offering games for both kids and adults!

Take a stroll along the Hardin riverfront and watch fireworks near the Joe Page Bridge- a vertical-lift bridge built in 1931 over the Illinois River connecting beautiful Calhoun County to Greene County. Hardin is a gorgeous drive down the Great River Road- take a drive and enjoy the festivities for the Village of Hardin's birthday!

River Races:

1 PM Kayak Race

2 PM Canoe Race

3 PM Homemade Raft Race

Early Bird Fee for Racers: $20 (If registered before June 30- $30 if registering in July) *All race participants must be 18 years + and sign a waiver - cash prizes for top winners!

REGISTER FOR RACES HERE

REGISTER AS A VENDOR HERE

REGISTER AS ONLINE SPONSOR FORM HERE

Enter into the T-Shirt Design Contest open through April 25 - Shirt must include "2022 The Return of the Great Illinois River Raft Race" and "175th Anniversary of Hardin" *one color for front print only - submit to raftrace@gmail.com or mail to Village of Hardin Attn: Raft Race, PO Box 382, Hardin, IL 62047 including your name, phone number, and email address *Winning design receives a $50 gift card to Subway and a $50 gift card to the Hardin Drive In