If there's an older whitewater race in America, we've never heard of it. FIBArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas) is a four-day festival that will celebrate its 61st year June 18-21 in Salida, Colorado.

Fore sure, the event has a unique history unlike any other race in the country. The FIBArk boat races started in 1949 when 23 boats entered the 57-mile run to Canon City. The Arkansas River's level was extremely high because the nearby Rocky Mountain snowpack was figured to be  five or six feet above normal.

The race was considered "an invitation to death." Only two boaters crossed the finish line. The next year, the course was shortened to 45 miles, and again the third year to its existing length of 25.7 miles, the longest downriver race in the United States.

The 2009 event will include competitions in Boater X, the USA Wildwater National Championships, and slalom races, among others. It will also have running and mountain-biking competitions. New Belgium will be putting on the FIBArk Parade, and Kent Ford's new video, The Call of The River will show at the SteamPlant Theater. Plus, there will be live music and great food. It all makes for a great vacation.