Tuck Fest
The first annual Tuck Fest is a three-day outdoor festival at the U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC) that features live music, games and races on our 400-acre facility. With seven live bands and over 20 activities and races throughout the weekend, the festival aims to draw families, individuals and adventure enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate the active outdoor lifestyle. The celebration also recognizes the Tuckaseegee Ford and Tuckaseegee Trail, a historical landmark located at the Center.
To view details about each event for Tuck Fest click here.
Event Info:
- Date: April 19th, 20th, & 21st, 2013
- Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center
- Cost: Tuck Fest attendance is free to the general public
- Races/Competitions require registration fee
Event Schedule:
Friday, April 19th
- 6:45 pm – Family Obstacle Race, presented by Charlotte Parent
- 6:45 pm – Twilight Obstacle Race
- 7:00 pm – Larry Keel & Natural Bridge
- 8:00 pm – Giant Kayak Slalom
- 9:00 pm – The SteelDrivers
- 9:30 pm – Wake Boarding Session, presented by Shred Ready
Saturday, April 20th
- 9:00 am – 10K Trail Race, presented by Salomon
- 9:00 am – Half Marathon Trail Race, presented by Salomon
- 10:00 am – Flatwater SUP Race (2mi & 4mi)
- 12:00 pm – Climbing Challenge & Demo
- 12:00 pm – Mountain Bike Super G
- 1:00 pm – Riverboard Head-to-Head
- 1:00 pm – Kids Obstacle Race, presented by Charlotte Parent
- 1:30 pm – Cornhole Tournament
- 2:00 pm – Fruition
- 2:00 pm – Whitewater SUP Competition, presented by Glide
- 2:30 pm – Kids 2K Trail Race, presented by Charlotte Parent
- 3:00 pm – Short Track Mountain Bike Race
- 4:00 pm – David Wax Museum
- 5:00 pm – Riverboard Surf Competition
- 6:00 pm – Humming House
- 7:00 pm – Riverboard Endurance Race
- 7:15 pm – Whitewater Kayaking Head-to-Head
- 7:15 pm – Whitewater Rafting Head-to-Head, presented by Maravia
- 8:00 pm – Carolina Chocolate Drops
- 8:30 pm – Wake Boarding Session, presented by Shred Ready
Sunday, April 21st
- 11:00 am – Kids Slalom Exhibition
- 12:00 pm – Dirty Dozen Mountain Bike Race
- 2:00 pm – Quadzilla Relay Race
- 2:00 pm – The Infamous Stringdusters (1st set)
- 3:30 pm – KinderMourn’s Hope Floats Duck Race
- 4:00 pm – The Infamous Stringdusters (2nd set)
Ongoing Festival Events
- Slack Lining
- Can Jam
Kindermourn’s 9th Annual Hope Floats Duck Race
The U.S. National Whitewater Center is proud to host KinderMourn’s 9th Annual Hope Floats Duck Race from 2-5 p.m. on April 21. Over 15,000 sunglass-wearing rubber ducks will be dropped into the Competition Channel at the USNWC to race at 3:30 p.m. Members of the community will adopt these ducks for $5 each, offering financial support for a worthy cause.
These yellow rubber duckies can teach us amazing things about the power of hope. For grieving children and bereaved parents in the Charlotte area, these adorable ducks offer the assurance that no one is turned away from KinderMourn because of an inability to pay for counseling services they receive after the devastating death of a loved one.
For more information or to adopt a duck, please visit KinderMourn.
The Cornhole Tournament will take place on Belmont Abbey Island at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. Pre-registration is recommended ($30 per team) as day-of registration will only be offered if space is available. First place winners will receive a pair of 2013 AllSport Season Passes; second place will receive two pairs of sunglasses by Smith Optics; third place will receive two AllSport Day Passes. Click here (pdf) for USNWC Cornhole rules.
We are offering a limited number of VIP passes that allow guests to experience Tuck Fest from a VIP section that provides an incredible view of the facility, one meal and access to a private bar (drinks included).
VIP Schedule
Saturday, April 20th (purchase):
- 1:30 pm – VIP section opens through music’s end
Additional Festival Info:
- Events will proceed rain or shine unless conditions are deemed unsafe by USNWC Management
- All guests are required to pay a $5 parking fee at the USNWC unless guest has an annual parking pass. Annual parking passes are available through the USNWC for $40
Volunteering: Interested in volunteering? Contact Adam Bratton at abratton@usnwc.org
Adam I am excited about this event! The agenda looks so fun! Nice job putting all of this together!
Thanks for putting on the SUP Races!
this lineup is UNREAL! good for you guys!
Is there an entrance fee for the Chocolate Drops or the Stringdusters other than parking?
Thanks.
Hi Ginni, there is a parking fee of $5 to get into the USNWC. As far as the concerts, all live music performances during Tuck Fest are non-ticketed and free to the public.
Are The SteelDrivers only playing for 30 minutes?
Hi Sallie, The SteelDrivers will be playing for roughly two hours.
Hi,
Is there going to be on site camping for this event? If not, would you please provide some local campgrounds with fairly easy access to the Center? Looking to enjoy some beverages while taking everything in, but didn’t want to have to drive afterwards.
Hi Mike, we do not have on-site camping at the USNWC. The McDowell Nature Preserve is the closest camping site that we recommend. Information can be found here: http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/Athletics/Outdoors/Pages/Camping.aspx.
Is alcohol allowed at the Center?
Hi Alison, we do not allow any outside food or beverage at the USNWC. Our full-service restaurant, River’s Edge Bar & Grill, has over 20 craft beers on tap as well as a selection of wine.
Will you still be able to use the park during the festival or is it strictly for the competitions that weekend?
Hi Janie, the Center will be open throughout the weekend for anyone interested in participating in our activities. Certain activity schedules may vary based on races and competitions.
Do all events for kids require the $35 registration fee? Is there a description of these events or recommended ages for participation? Will the climbing wall be open as normal ?
Hi Kate, all events require the one-time $35 registration fee, which allows racers to participate in as many events as they wish. The description of the events can be found on this website: http://usnwc.org/tuck-fest-events/. The climbing wall will be open throughout the weekend.
Will all channels be open for rafting and kayaking on Saturday? Will the hours be limited for the public to raft or kayak based on the competition schedule?
Hi Billy, we will have normal pass activity hours throughout the Tuck Fest weekend. There may be a slight change here or there to accommodate a race, but we will work around typical operating hours.
When and wear can I buy a shirt for this event?
Hi Jason, we will provide Tuck Fest t-shirts to those who pre-register for races. They are not guaranteed for those who register on race-day.
Can I register for the wakeboarding session on friday and saturday, or is it not open to the public? I have been riding for over ten years and would love the opportunity to wakeboard at your event. I feel confident that I have the ability to do so.
Hi Derrick, unfortunately the wakeboarding session is not open to the public. This will be a spectator event.
Can you provide more information on the family obstacle race? Thanks
Hi Dean, the Family Obstacle Race will include a few mental and physical obstacles that must be completed as a team. Much like a scavenger hunt, the obstacles do not need to be completed in a specific order.
what day is the cornhole tournament on? Would be nice if you could make this tourney double elimination. The last tounament was great but 16 teams only got to play one game for $30 dolllars. Thanks
Hi Jeff, the Cornhole Tournament will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20.
Will a guide be provided during the head to head rafting completion or is just you and teammate? can’t wait for tuck fest!
Hey Bill, each participant will be on their own during the Whitewater Rafting Head-to-Head – that’s part of the fun!
Can you give any details about the SUP race course (2 and 4 mile). Direction of start North or south? Number of bouy turns for each. Categories, places, etc. Thanks for the awesome event. Plan to attend all three days!
Hi Mike, the Flatwater SUP Race will be a northbound start with two buoy turns – one at the north end of Sadler Island and one at the south end. The 2-mile race is geared towards amateurs and will be a one-lap race; the 4-mile race is geared more towards pros and will be a two-lap race.
Are the bands playing in the stage closest to River’s Edge or will they be across the river? If across the river, where Robert Randolph played or where Acoustic Syndicate played? Also, is the VIP still located 2nd floor in the building? Thanks!!
Hey Janet, all bands will be playing on Belmont Abbey Island, across the river from the restaurant. The stage will be in a similar location as the Robert Randolph concert, though not exact. The VIP section is still located on the 2nd floor of the Conference Center.
Will Larry Sprinkle emcee the Duck Race this year?
Hi Eminem, Larry Sprinkle will emcee the Duck Race again this year. Please visit http://www.kindermourn.org/ for details about the race.
Will there be seating for the live music or can people bring in folding chairs with them?
Hi Dave, guests are more than welcome to bring folding chairs for the live music. Outside of River’s Edge, we will not provide seating for the performances.
Will there be maps posted for the races? (MTB super G and the short track race)
Put a downhill race in!! you guys have the course already!! Thanks Carter
Hi Carter, we will have course maps online shortly so be sure to check the Tuck Fest events page: https://usnwc.org/tuck-fest-events/
Does The whitewater center have public flatwater access for paddlers who arrive by boat ?
Hey Ron, our flatwater dock is on public land on the Catawba River, but there is no public dock to leave boats throughout the day.
Are dogs allowed at the USNWC for this weekend?
Hi Mary, we do allow leashed dogs at the USNWC.
Will there be a safe place to store personal paddleboards other than on top of the car? I have a locking mechanism but it would be better to be able to attach it to the fence around the Kayak center in plain view. I understand that the WWC is not responsible for lost or stolen items, but it would be nice to minimize the risk.
Hi Barry, we will not designate a particular spot but will allow guests to use the Kayak Center fence if necessary. There is a $5/night storage fee if you’d like to leave your boat overnight.
is there any camping available near by??
Hi, we do not have on-site camping at the USNWC. The McDowell Nature Preserve is the closest camping site that we recommend. Information can be found here: http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/Athletics/Outdoors/Pages/Camping.aspx.
Where is the closest hotel? The Fairfield Inn is completely booked.. so any other suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Jeanie, there are several other hotels in the Northlake Mall area, including the Drury Inn & Suites and the Hilton Garden Inn.
How long of a set are the Carolina Chocolate Drops planned to perform, 30mins, 1hr, 2hrs?
Will there be any ongoing activities other than slacklining and Can Jam?
Hi Joe, the Carolina Chocolate Drops will play for roughly an hour and a half to two hours. During that particular concert, we will not have any other ongoing games outside of slacklining and Can Jam.
It looks like stormy weather about the time the Steeldrivers are to perform. If it is stormy, will there be a delay before they play or will the performance be cancelled?
Hi Renette, all Tuck Fest events will proceed rain or shine unless deemed unsafe.
How far is it from the parking area to the Concert area? Is the area flat and smooth? my question really is is it handicap accessible?
Hi Joyce, our facility is handicap accessible and we have handicap parking as well.
in the VIP what type of drinks will be available at the open bar? craft brews?
Hey Josh, we will have a small selection of our craft beers and wine featured during the Tuck Fest weekend.
Can we bring canopies to set up for down time between races?
Hi Rachel, you can bring a canopy to set up so long as the canopy does not block sight lines to the bands or races.
what are the plans if it rains tonight? are the steeldrivers still playing? thanks
Hey Patrick, Tuck Fest will proceed rain or shine unless deemed unsafe.
Are there activities for no charge that the kids can do?
Hey Jill, we will have slacklining and Can Jam, neither of which requires a fee. Our trails will be open throughout the weekend as well. All other activities and races require a pass purchase or registration.
Is it possible to just come for the CCD Concert at 8 on Saturday? And if so, how are tickets purchased and how are they obtained?
Thanks!
Hey Lucy, all concerts during the Tuck Fest weekend are free and open to the public.
Can you give me the start time of both the 2 mile and 4 mile SUP race. Just curious which event I was in first. Thanks
Hey Mike, both races will begin at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
We had an awesome time last night and the Carolina Chocolate Drops were very good and entertaining. There was a question in our group last night and no one knew the answer. We don’t fully understand the name “Tuck” festival. What does it mean? Wikipedia defines “tuck” but none of those definitions make sense. Curious George wants to know!
Hi Steve, “Tuck” stems from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located at the USNWC. Sadler Island is our visible reminder of its historical significance as the first known crossing point along the Catawba River, traveled by Native Americans and European settlers.