Benscreek Canoe Club
A canoe and kayak club in Johnstown, PA. A 501(c)3 charitable organization promoting paddling and conservation on local rivers.
Contact BCC
Phone: (814) 266-4276
Email: Rick Bloom rickpb@aol.com
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
- All Day – Paddle
- 6PM Downriver Race
(Registration 4:30-5:30PM at Carpenters Park) - 8-11PM Band: Dave D Quartet
SATURDAY
- All Day – Paddle
- 3PM’ish Freestyle Rodeo
(Registration 2:30-3:30PM at the GHP Wave) - 4-7PM Band: Thornbush ft. the Spinelli’s
- 8-11PM Band: Hickory Bottom Band
(First Waves Film Debut & Raffle during first set break)
SUNDAY
- All Day – Paddle
- Afternoon – Clean Up
EVENT INFORMATION
The Stonycreek Rendezvous is an annual whitewater festival hosted by the Benscreek Canoe Club in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The event is held at Greenhouse Park, Pennsylvania’s first man-made whitewater park, held over three days in May. During the three days of the event, there is live music, food and gear vendors, a whitewater rodeo, downriver race, daily whitewater releases into the Stonycreek from the Quemahoning Dam.
Location: Greenhouse Park
Green House Rd. Johnstown, PA 15905
Admission: $10 Per Person for the entire weekend.
Please note: Pavilions are now rented and reserved by boating clubs. We now have more clubs than we have pavilions; interested clubs need to contact Steve Podratsky regarding pavilion rentals. Also, we rent the park until Sunday. Please have all campers removed by 5 PM Sunday at the latest.
Food: Food will be available on site from a variety of vendors.
In addition there are numerous restaurants within a short distance of the festival site.
Beer: Beer will be available on site.
Cost TBA for domestic & TBA for 16oz craft. The sale of beer benefits the Benscreek Canoe Club and is a big money maker for us during the event. PLEASE DRINK OUR BEER. Note that we will also have some wine for sale as well. And due to liability issues, no other alcohol may be brought into the festival area.
CAMPING INFORMATION
Camping is available at Green House Park. This is traditional camping with no electric or water hookups. Fires are allowed in the fire pits provided around the field. Please limit fires to the “official” fire pits. And help our volunteers manage garbage, if a garbage bag is near full, take it to a dumpster and ask us for a new one. There are many families with kids and campers with dogs at the festival, please drive carefully. Also, the camping area is relatively close to people’s homes, please lower the noise after 11 PM. Note: Greenhouse Park is not open for camping except for special events. Camping is available at Quemahoning Reservoir Recreation Area , Stonycreek Launch (814 242-8219; 2869 Seanor Rd, Hollsopple; this is the closest camping), Camp Harmony (which has both Cabins and Tent & RV Camping), Nanty-Glo Park and at Duman Park. Quemahoning Recreation Area and Stonycreek Launch may fill early, call ASAP if you want to camp there.
Fee: $15 per person Friday – 5PM Sunday (additional $5 per person for Thursday night). There is an additional $20 fee for large campers / RVs (single charge, not per person).
Water: Drinking water is available on site via two water pumps.
Fires: Firewood will be available on site through the Boy Scouts for $3 per bundle, but it is always a good bet to bring some extra from home just to be safe. Please don’t waste firewood with bonfires.
Bathrooms: Port-o-Johns with hand washing stations will be available throughout the festival.
Showers: There are no showers available.
Other than the rapid named “Showers” at the canyon put-in, you are going to go au natural for the weekend aside from any unintended “swims” during your paddling adventures.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
Please be sure to pick up after your furry four-legged friends.
All camp sites must be cleaned up and vacated by 5PM Sunday. Vehicles may be parked in designated parking areas, but no vehicles may be parked overnight.
Afraid that you’ll leave your wallet in your other boat and not have money to buy your tickets the at the event? Don’t not! You can now purchase them online. $10 gets you a three day pass to freely come and go from the event. An additional $15 gets you a three day camping pass. Cash purchase is available in-person at the event.
DOWNRIVER RACE
Friday, May 16th – Time 6PM – Carpenters Park to Greenhouse Park
Racers check in Time 4:30-5:30PM at Carpenters Park
Spectators can watch from the finish line at the GHP wave.
$TBA Registration
On Friday evening we will be running our annual Downriver Race as part of Immersion Research Headwaters Racing Series. This is a downriver sprint race covering 3.5 miles of pool drop whitewater (Class II+ – Class III). The put-in is at Carpenter’s Park which is the normal takeout for the Stonycreek Canyon run with the finish line at Greenhouse park at the beach on river left after the playpark wave. The race will be divided into categories based upon the type of boats entered into the race and the number of participants. We will typically have classes for SUPs, long and short kayaks, solo and tandem open boats. Any length boat is allowed to enter and we reserve the right to group different types of boats should there not be enough for a separate class. Awards will be presented at Greenhouse Park about 1 hour after the last competitor crosses the finish line. Note: due to liability issues, if the Ferndale gauge is 5 feet or over the race will be cancelled.
FREESTYLE RODEO
Saturday, May 17th – Time 2:30PM’ish – Greenhouse Park
1:30-2:30PM Registration & Check-in at the GHP Wave
Free Registration
This is a friendly competition for all skill levels. There will be classes for all registered participants and we will have separate classes for male/female as long as we have enough signed up. We are encouraging any boater that has ever taken a spin in a hole to try their hand at fame and fortune. Well at least fame amongst your friends. We will have classes for beginners, intermediates, advanced, and pro ( if applicable ). The infamous Stonycreek Rock Trophies are up for GRABS!
Judging is based on three main categories:
- Trick Difficulty: Basically the harder the trick the more points.
- Variety: Your point total will be multiplied by the number of different moves you attempt. Therefore doing 20 cartwheels each way may gain you some style points but wont help your point multiplier.
- Style: This is a judgment based score based upon how smooth your ride is. The longer you stay in the hole and the better you connect your variety of moves the greater the score.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
FRIDAY 8-11PM
Dave D Quartet
SATURDAY 4-7PM
Thornbush
ft. the Spinelli’s
SATURDAY 8-11PM
Hickory Bottom Band
Tight three-part harmonies, sweet pickin’, and lots of down home energy are the hallmarks of this outstanding western Pennsylvania-based band. From bluegrass classics to grassy versions of modern hits, Hickory Bottom Band does it right!
2025 Stewardship Events
Join us for the 2025 Watersmith Guild Stewardship Event and First Waves Workshop in conjunction with the Stonycreek Rendezvous! The morning session (10:00am – noon) will include a tree planting and conservation mini-hike along the Stonycreek River in Ferndale! The afternoon session (2:00pm – 4:00pm) will include a downstream stewardship paddle leaving from Greenhouse Park and ending 2-miles downstream at the Coal Tubin shop. The event will also provide training for First Waves volunteers and mentors. You’re welcome to provide your own gear, however, we will have boards, rafts, and equipment available as needed!
Who: First Waves Youth + Community Volunteers and Partners are WELCOME!!
All equipment provided if needed! Please contact Ian at ian@watersmithguild.org to register.
Itinerary
Tree Planting and Conservation Mini-Hike
Friday, May 16th, 2025: 10:00am to Noon
Location: Coal Tubin (100 Station Street, Johnstown, PA 15905)
Downriver Paddle & Stream Cleanup
Friday, May 16th, 2025: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Meeting at Greenhouse Park (downriver side of the park)
EVENT SPONSORS
Keel-Haulers Canoe Club from Cleveland, OH are sponsoring the Saturday/Sunday release of the Rendezvous!
- Frank Fuhrer Wholesale Beverage
- ACE Adventure Gear
- American Eagle Screen Print
- Ameriserv
- Jackson Kayak
- Highwater Hobbies