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Join the Fun: Design It, Build It, Race It, and Cheer Them On!

Get ready for a splash-tastic time at the Great Trent River Raft Race, New Bern's most anticipated annual event! Celebrate creativity, community, and pure fun along the picturesque Trent River.

Gather your friends and unleash your inner engineer to build a unique paddle-and-pedal raft to compete for glory. Not much of a builder? No problem! Our "Anything That Floats" category welcomes all sorts of ingenious (and often hilarious) creations. Compete for trophies and cash prizes for first, second, and third place, or aim for the coveted "Broken Paddle" and "Crowd Favorite" awards.

Beyond the thrilling races, enjoy a full day of festivities at Union Point Park. Groove to live music, savor delicious bites from food vendors, and keep the little ones entertained with a variety of family-friendly activities. It's the perfect opportunity to soak in New Bern's vibrant culture and its deep connection to the waterways.

Save the Date! Saturday, June 6, 20026

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The Great Trent River Raft Race 2026

Sun, Splash, and Smiles! Spend the day with us at Union Point Park!

Our 2025 Judges

Chief of Police Patrick Gallagher, District Attorney Scott Thomas,

Sherriff Chip Hughes 

Capt, Sherrif, Scott
Brian North

2025 Master of Ceremonies

Brian North

The Great Trent River Raft Race 2025
Captains Meeting Invite

A Day of Family Fun

Fun for all the family on and off the water!

Bring On Your Raft Designs!

Gather family and friends to build a prize-winning raft!

Win Your Event Category...

And create history on the Trent River!