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Green River Adventures will celebrate its reopening and honor local firefighters this Saturday at the 19th annual Spring Green Bash in Saluda. (Photo by Karen Strickland)

A scene from last year’s Spring Green Bash in Saluda. (Photo courtesy of Green River Adventures)

Green River Adventures has been operating guided whitewater trips, waterfall rappels, and amphibious hiking excursions in the Green River Gorge since 2006. (Photo by Karen Strickland)

Adventurers rappelling at Big Bradley Falls. (Photo by Karen Strickland)

Adventurers rappelling at Little Bradley Falls. (Photo by Karen Strickland)

Green River Adventures also offers hiking treks at the river. (Photo by Karen Strickland)

Green River Adventures also offers hiking treks at the river. (Photo by Karen Strickland)

River and block party to honor local firefighters, celebrate reopening of Green River Adventures

SALUDA—The 19th annual Spring Green Bash will be held Saturday, May 3, in downtown Saluda at Green River Adventures. The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. 

This year’s river and block party will be extra special, as it will both honor local firefighters and celebrate the reopening of Green River Adventures.

This free, family-friendly event will feature live music from The Sun Sippers and tye-dye activities hosted by Looking Glass Realty, along with highlighting the Green River itself, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene in September and the recent wildfires.

All donations at the event will support Saluda Fire and Rescue.

“It’s been quite an offseason—floods, fires,” said Green River Adventures owner Tim Bell. “We’re so excited to celebrate our reopening for the summer and honor the incredible efforts of the Saluda Fire and Rescue Squad.” 

The Bash will also feature a raffle for a Liquidlogic Torque kayak, with all raffle proceeds benefiting the Green Riverkeeper program.

Oskar Blues Brewery, WNCW, Mountain True, The Gorge Zipline, Big Adventures and Liquid Logic Kayaks are sponsors for the event.

Green River Adventures, reopening to the public for its 19th season on Thursday, May 1, has been operating guided whitewater trips, waterfall rappels, and amphibious hiking excursions in the Green River Gorge since 2006.

After damage to the gorge from Helene and the Black Cove Complex wildfire, recovery efforts have been ongoing. 

“The team at Green River Adventures extends its gratitude to the herculean efforts made by our local emergency management departments, North Carolina state and local firefighters, MountainTrue and the Green Riverkeeper teams, and USACE contractors to restore the Green River,” said Bell. “Because of its priority status, the river saw contractors on site earlier than expected. USACE was able to finish its work in April.”

MountainTrue Clean Waters Director Hartwell Carson said the hurricane caused unimaginable damage, but the cleanup effort has also been unprecedented and is farther along than many other recreational waterways. 

“The final detailed cleaning is currently underway, and sections of the Green River will be ready for river users by Memorial Day Weekend,” said Carson. “We recommend using reputable outfitters who will know what sections are safe and be able to identify and mitigate any emerging hazards.”

All of these efforts have paved the way for a beautifully restored Green River. 

“The Green has been a playground for locals and visitors for generations, and now it lives on, ” said Bell. “It’s been quite a healing process, and we are so thankful to operate this summer. 

The river has changed and resembles more of a western-style river with more exposed bedrock, wide open spaces, and big sandy beaches. It’s different and so beautiful.”

Green River Adventures will continue to offer activities with half and full-day options available. Activities will include Big and Little Bradley waterfall rappels, the infamous Waterfall Trek, and its Classic Swimming Hole Hike. The Riverside Outpost will also continue its self-guided inflatable kayak trips on the Lower Green River. New for this spring, GRA will add a new tubing adventure suitable for families and all skill levels. 

“The Green River near Saluda is one of the premier recreational rivers in the country and remains one of the most beautiful natural resources in Western North Carolina,” Carson adds. 

Green River Adventures is located at 150 East Main St. For more information, visit greenriveradventures.com.

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