News : Celebrating Cedar Sailors and R.A.T.S.

By Tami Stark

Many moons ago yet much like today, there was a large group of friends that gathered regularly and spent their free time together on the Cedar; boating, waterskiing, grilling on the sandbars and camping on the banks. It was their “go to” place to meet and unwind from their workweeks, again very much like many do today. This group got together so regularly that they decided to form an LLC, complete with elected officers and regular meetings.

The original membership consisted of over 40 families with members ranging from 20 to 65 years old and they called themselves the Cedar Sailors Boat Club. The Sailors started collecting dues, and they used those dues to make life on the river better. They sponsored a regular water-ski show, usually during Popcorn City Days, they put benches along the banks of the river (1 of which is still there), and they marked and/or removed snags from the water.

But it was much more than just these things, the Sailors sponsored dances at the Country Club, sometimes with more than 400 in attendance, they cosponsored boat races with the local Jaycees chapter, and they sponsored fishing derbies in Vinton and other nearby towns…they used the monies they raised and gave back to the community. They donated to the ambulance, the fire department, the Chris Reif fund and they contributed to the construction of the Vinton Recreation Center. In short, this group did a LOT of good things during their time.

Fast forward to August of 2008 and there’s another Vinton group taking to the water to do good things, the Cedar River R.A.T.S. (2 of who are founding members of the Sailors!) The R.A.T.S. are made up 100% of volunteers and in recent years have been sponsored by the local Izaak Walton League. This group meets annually one Saturday in August and they float ½ of the Benton County portion of the Cedar, alternating with the year’s previous route, cleaning the banks and sandbars, collecting items from tires and glass to metal and plastics.

Every year gets more organized and every year they get more trash! This year is a special year for these 2 groups. This year, in recognition of Vinton’s 150th Celebration, the R.A.T.S. have invited the Sailors to join them on the water once again but not for a cleanup, but for a Cedar River Parade!

On Saturday, August 17th these 2 groups will meet on the water between 11:00 and 11:30, organize their line up and then float their parade down for arrival at Celebration Park by 1:15! Landing in plenty of time for everyone from spectators to participants to make it to the Fairgrounds or 4th Street for Vinton’s 150th Celebratory “Grand Land” parade! No one will need to miss a thing on this first day to kick off Vinton’s week of fun!!

It is so important to note, the River Parade is open to everyone!! Canoes, Kayaks, Boats, Pontoons, even tubes and rafts if that’s what you like! You do not need to be a former Cedar Sailor or a R.A.T. to participate in this event, we want to have an awesome presence on the water and we want to have fun and celebrate with Vinton!

As the saying goes, ‘the more the merrier’! It is also important to note that while decorating your boat is not a requirement, it IS highly encouraged!! Commemorative shirts will be available by pre-order only! For any questions on this, call Tami @ 319-558-7476 or Bob @ 319-560-9071.