August 2, 2025
Float Jam
Join us for a unique experience on the river. Enjoy great music while you paddle the Wabash!
August 2, 2025
A Free Floating Concert
We are kicking off an incredible experience on the Wabash River –
FLOAT JAM!
Picture this – you and 150 other folks are paddling down the Wabash. On a nearby fishing boat, strumming their guitar and singing a song, is a local musician. The summer sun shines, the breeze rustles your hair, and the gentle current of the Wabash carries you downstream.
We have over 40 boats that you can chose to paddle in. Make new friends in a raft or voyageur canoe, paddle solo in a kayak, or bring a friend in a 2-person canoe. We’ll provide life jackets and paddles for those using our boats. If you have your own boat, you can still sign up! Just plan to drop it off at Davis Ferry and park your car in the Wabash Landing Parking Garage.
All Float Jam participants will park in the Wabash Landing Parking Garage and check in at the Tapawingo Park Skate Rink.
Float Jam is generously sponsored by Visit Lafayette West Lafayette. Boats and staff are provided by NICHES Land Trust, the Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality, the City of Lafayette, and the City of West Lafayette.
Music
Local musicians Jon St. Bourbon and Kelsey Patton will be playing Float Jam this year.
Safety
All participants must be 10 years or older, and children must be accompanied by an adult. It is a 3 hour paddling trip, so keep that in mind when planning who should come.
Everyone using a provided boat must wear a life jacket while on the water. If you bring your own boat, you need to bring a floatation device to have on the boat with you. We will not have extra PFDs for those that bring their own boat.
Alcohol is not allowed.
Shuttle
We are providing free shuttle service to the launch for everyone participating, whether you are using our boat or bringing your own!
-Park your car in the Wabash Landing Parking Garage.
-Walk across the street to check in at the Tapawingo Ice Rink 15 minutes before the time you signed up for.
-Check in, get a PFD, and board the bus. If you are late, the bus may leave without you! Don't be late!
-The bus will take you to the launch point where your boats are waiting.
If you are bringing your own boat, drop it off at Davis Ferry by 2:30pm.
Still not sure?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are innertubes allowed?
- No innertubes – this is a paddling trip! We have 4.5 miles of River to paddle, and we need you to keep up with the group.
- How long is the floating concert?
- We’ll be paddling 4.5 miles downstream, which will take about 3 hours. The music starts at 4pm and we should be back at Tapawingo by 7pm.
- I’ve never paddled before. Can I still attend?
- Yes! We will only be paddling if the water is safe, and the Wabash is pretty gentle this time of year. Paddling is easy to figure out. Join in a raft or a voyageur canoe with others if you’d like some company.
- Is a shuttle service provided?
- Yes! Check in at Tapawingo Park before boarding to shuttle. We’ll drive you to the launch point and you’ll boat back to your car at Tapawingo.
Still have questions? Interested in sponsoring Float Jam?
Email the Float Jam organizer at:
watershed AT wabashriver.net
