Montgomery Whitewater will hold its grand opening the weekend of July 7 and 9.

The 120-acre park is located at 1100 Maxwell Blvd. and accessible from Interstate 65.

Grand opening events will include a weekend-long festival with whitewater rafting and kayaking, a 5K and fun run, a national kayaking competition, live music and more. Day passes for water activities are now available for purchase on the park’s website.

Grand opening events are free to attend, but whitewater activities must be purchased online in advance or in-person at the park. A $10 event parking fee will be in effect from 3:30 p.m. on Friday, July 7, until 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 9.

Designed by S2O Design and Engineering, the center’s channel system simulates natural class II through IV rapids, for beginners to seasoned whitewater enthusiasts and professional athletes.

See also: First responders looking forward to Montgomery Whitewater – for training

The park can accommodate rafting, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, and features an outfitter store and full-service restaurant.

Additional phases will include rock climbing, ropes courses, zip lines and miles of hiking and biking trails.

As part of the grand opening celebration, Montgomery Whitewater will draw athletes from across the United States for the Canoe Slolam Age Group Nationals, an American Canoe Association (ACA) sanctioned event. The ACA is the Olympic governing body for the sport of canoe slolam, a timed event where athletes navigate a whitewater course through rapids and a combination of downstream or upstream gates.

Grand opening weekend schedule of events (subject to change)

July 7

11 a.m.       Public whitewater activities open

1 p.m.         Canoe Slolam Age Group Nationals: Second Run

6-10 p.m.  Live music performances by Harper O’Neill and Devon Gilfillian

July 8

8 a.m.          Splash 5K Run

9 a.m.          Whitewater Mile fun/kids run

9 a.m.         Corporate Raft Races

10 a.m.       Public whitewater activities open

4–9:30 p.m.   Live music performances by Electric Blue Yonder, Soul Rebels, George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners

July 9

8 a.m.         Canoe Slolam Age Group Nationals Semi-finals, Finals and Awards Ceremony

11 a.m.       Public whitewater activities open