May 26, 2016, Owosso, MI - The Friends of the Shiawassee River have launched a fundraising raffle for a 13’ 5” Hurricane Sojourn 135 Kayak to informally kick off the paddling season.  The kayak is from The Power of Water in Lansing and is valued at over $1,400.  Funds generated by the raffle will be used by the Friends to host water quality monitoring stream teams, an annual river clean-up, paddling events, and other Friends’ efforts.  Winners will be announced at the Friends’ annual wine-tasting event, to be held on Thursday, September 15th at the Owosso Country Club. 

The raffle is being sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and tickets go on sale at the Owosso Farmers Market this Saturday and many other locations

"People are rediscovering the beauty of the Shiawassee River all the time, and if you haven't experienced it from a kayak or canoe, I hope you'll put it on your short list this summer," said Lauri Elbing, Executive Director of the Friends. "There is a very good reason why the Shiawassee River is #7 on a list of the Top 11 Water Trails in Michigan. Come see for yourself."

"It was the best five-bucks I ever spent!" 

Steve Eastman, 2015 Kayak Raffle Winner