On your mark, get set, JET!
LOREN BENOIT/Press File Racers from across the country and Canada will take to the waters on the St. Joe River at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday to compete in a stand-alone jet boat race.
ST. MARIES — There will be smoke on the water this weekend as jet boat races return to the St. Joe River for the fifth annual “Race the Joe.”
Beginning at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, racers from across the country and Canada will hit the track on the St. Joe River and compete in a stand-alone race. Race director Shirley Ackerman told The Press Friday more than 15,000 people are expected to converge on the St. Maries area this weekend to enjoy the family-friendly fun.
“It’s an opportunity to get outside and watch some very skilled drivers maneuver their boats at over 100 mph on the river,” Ackerman said. “It’s very intense and I always tell people they’ve got to experience it at least once. These drivers are very committed to their sport.”
Viewing the race is free, and Ackerman encouraged visitors to simply find a public access point along the river where they can park, get out the lawn chairs, and enjoy the show.
“We’re pretty fortunate on our river because both sides can be utilized and there’s great viewing along the entire course,” she said.
Races are scheduled to conclude each day at 3:30 p.m., with activities in St. Maries throughout the night. Registration for racers took place throughout the day Friday, so there is no hard count as to how many participants will compete this year.
Last year marked the first time jet boat races were brought to the Coeur d’Alene River by Ackerman’s group. Although there was some concern the race would dredge up mining runoff, Ackerman told The Press that organizers did not receive any negative environmental reports, but were unable to hold the race on the Coeur d’Alene River this year.
For more information on the schedule of events, visit www.stmarieschamber.org or call Ackerman at (208) 596-1103.