If there was one place to be this weekend, it was along the banks of the Clark Fork River where families, competitors and spectators gathered for the River Street Festival and the Great Montana SUP Sprint. 

From yoga at sunrise to music and awards after sunset, the event proved once again that Superior knows how to throw a party. Children kept busy with activities on the old Superior School lawn while competitors prepared for one of Montana's premier stand-up paddleboard races. To keep traffic flowing smoothly, racers were shuttled from the parking area near Veterans Bridge to the Big Eddy Fishing Access Site about 10 minutes before each heat.

For those wanting to warm up before hitting the water, Mineral County Rec Club teamed up with Bathing Breath for a beginner-friendly yoga session featuring stretching, breathing exercises and, according to organizers, plenty of modifications and humor. The day also began with the River Trail Run, a scenic 3K from River Street to Big Eddy. Participants were encouraged to run or walk, with donations accepted in lieu of a registration fee.

Competitors traveled from across Montana to be part of the festivities. Mo Grumbly of Missoula said she had competed in the former SUP Cup in Missoula but had wanted to experience Superior's race after spotting it on social media last year. 

"I couldn't find anyone to go with last year," she laughed. "This year my roommate Wendie and her friend Annie came with me, and we even brought costumes." 

After arriving early for the fun run, Grumbly said she was impressed by the welcoming atmosphere.

"It seems like a great crew, so I'm telling people about this for next year. A big thanks to everyone here for organizing this."

Chris Olsen, a Kalispell police officer, returned after competing last year. 

"I was impressed with the number of professionals that came out," Olsen said. "I'm racing in the Men's Amateur, then doing Better Together with my daughter. My wife is racing with our other daughter, and her younger sister is in the Women's Amateur."

 With family in Superior, Olsen said he's always impressed by the community's support.

"For such a small town, Superior always has a great turnout. We love being part of these kinds of events. We’re always here at Thanksgiving and thoroughly enjoy the Turkey Trot"

The Angstead family, camping at Diamond Lake after traveling from Missoula and Great Falls, made the SUP Sprint the centerpiece of their weekend. 

"It's too hot to stay in town, so this was perfect for all of us," they said. Returning champion Kyle Holloway of Kalispell admitted the busy summer work season almost kept him away. "I was working last night and this morning, so this is just a break in the day," he said with a laugh. 

Although Holloway won the amateur division and placed third in the pro race two years ago before capturing the overall 2024 title, he confessed he forgot to bring the championship crown with him. 

"We were in such a rush loading up that I forgot to grab it," he grinned.

SUP Sprint founder Drew Hanson said organizers made several last-minute course adjustments after recent rainfall increased river flows. 

"The cubic feet per second went up, so we changed our take-out location for safety," Hanson explained. 

He also noted that Superior has quietly become one of the state's premier paddleboarding events. 

"A lot of the pros have said there's more youth competing here than at many other races." USA SUP Northwest Representative Trish Lyons of Philipsburg believes that's no accident. 

"I came to the first race and just fell in love with the community," Lyons said. "The Rec Club does so much to get people outside and active, and I think that's why so many young people participate." 

She has stepped up to help promote this event through her connections. Looking ahead, organizers hope to continue expanding the event with additional activities and possibly even a triathlon that would include cycling. 

"We're looking at bigger and better things," Lyons said. "This race is great for beginners, and we want to encourage anyone who wants to get outdoors."

The races themselves featured plenty of excitement. Kyle Holloway captured the Men's Amateur title, while Josie Crabb won the Women's Amateur division. Cael Crabb topped the Boys' Youth race, and Ayla Henderson claimed the Girls' Youth championship before both accepted invitations to race against the professionals, and both earned podium finishes.

Lucas Tracy won the Pro Men's division and also collected the $100 Super-Hero Mixed prize, while Trish Lyons captured the Pro Women's title. Kyle and Tara Holloway teamed up to win the Better Together division. Thomas Richards claimed the annual Derby Ball competition by finishing just 41 seconds from his predicted time of 16 minutes, and 4 seconds on this year's course, which began at Big Eddy rather than Lozeau Crossing Bridge. 

The Kings and Queens of the Clark Fork Relay were Carl Crabb, Josie Crabb, Sidney Kuhl and Ayla Henderson.

The weekend concluded on Sunday with the annual Community Float, sending families and friends back onto the Clark Fork River one more time to celebrate another successful River Street Festival in Superior.

    Sydney Kuhl and her pet rabbit, Honey-Bunny, teamed up for the Better Together SUP Race. Honey- Bunny may be blind and deaf, but she wore a dazzling pink tutu to the crowd’s deligh
  

    Plenty of kid’s games were available on the back lawn of the old Superior School during the day while the Saturday Market shared the street location
  

    SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) contestants had primo weather and water conditions for the 4th Annual Great Montana SUP Sprint in Superior on Saturday.