— The third annual River Rumba and Cardboard Boat Regatta kicks off tonight with a free outdoor concert. The main event is Saturday when crews compete with their cardboard boats.

This is a good community event, and we hope it keeps growing for years to come.

Muskogee Parks and Recreation Director Mark Wilkerson said the annual event started three years ago when he met with Port of Muskogee Director Scott Robinson to think of ways to attract people to Three Forks Harbor, on the east side of town just across the Muskogee Turnpike and Arkansas River.

It is a unique and downright neat way to showcase the harbor — and Muskogee.

This event is sponsored by the Muskogee Exchange Club, Muskogee Parks and Recreation Department, Muskogee City-County Port Authority and the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce.

The steadily-growing event has generated $11,000 to $12,000 for youth charities in Muskogee. Wilkerson said there is plenty of potential to attract more people.

We think so, too. And we hope it mirrors the success of another Muskogee annual event — the Chili Cook-off.

The cook-off — also put on the by Exchange Club — started with small numbers. Less than 100 people attended the first one in 1984. But 26 years later, more than 10,000 attend the annual event.

We think the Regatta has a chance to become a “Muskogee must” in the future. And we hope it grows to the size of success of the cookoff.

If you go

TONIGHT

WHAT: Infinity at the River Rumba and Cardboard Boat Regatta.

WHERE: Three Forks Harbor, east of Muskogee on U.S. 62.

WHEN: 8-11 p.m., Friday.

ADMISSION: Free. VIP tickets are available to get inside for catered food and cash bar.

INFORMATION: Mark Wilkerson, 684-6302; or Roger Lovelady, 360-9037.

SATURDAY

WHAT: Third annual River Rumba and Cardboard Boat Regatta.

WHERE: Three Forks Harbor, east of Muskogee on U.S. 62.

WHEN: Registration will be from 9-10 a.m. Aug. 28 at the harbor, and the race will begin at 10 a.m.

ADMISSION: $50 per boat entry, but only $1 per car to watch.