Alabama River Connected to Many Selma Labor Day Traditions

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

For many people in Selma, Labor Day festivities center around activities connected to the Alabama River.

The annual River Raft Race is back in Selma after a more than 30 year hiatus.

The Black Belt Benefit Group decided to bring back the event last year.

“We saw all these pictures online of what used to be 30 years ago and we decided we got to do this again. People are not making memories like they did then back in the seventies,” said race organizer Victor Shaw.

Shaw said eighteen watercraft participated in this year’s race. He said the race started at Beach Creek, went down the Alabama River, and finished up at the City Marina.

“We’ve got a good response from people and I think its going to be a really cool thing,” said Paul Wilkerson.”

“We’re working out some kinks in it but from the response of people from the last two years I think its going to continue to grow and we’re going to continue to improve on it and have a great event.”

Patrick Leech won the race this year, Colton Baggerly came in second, and last year’s winner, Alston Keith, came in third.

The river race is one of eight events the Black Belt Benefit Group puts on in the city each year.