VIDA, OR — The history of the McKenzie River Drift Boat will be on full-display the week of April 21 as the 2025 McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festival anchors a week honoring the history of the McKenzie River Drift Boat. Whet your appetite by listening to the Film Festival Circuit Podcast and then be sure to attend the viewing of the 45-minute, award-winning documentary Oregon's Boat on Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Vida Community Center. A donation of $5 is requested and all proceeds will benefit the Vida McKenzie Community Center.
The 2025 McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Eagle Rock Lodge located at 49198 McKenzie Hwy, Vida, OR. This FREE event provides an opportunity to learn the history of the McKenzie River Drift Boat, speak to boat builders and meet river guides and enthusiasts who use these special boats.
An extra special opportunity is available for a small group of folks interested in learning how to construct a McKenzie River Drift Boat. The McKenzie River Discovery Center and Jayson Hayes (Hayes Custom Boats) will host a five-day workshop where participants will learn the process and skills necessary to build a McKenzie River Drift Boat or any similar small skiff or dory from a kit. Due to construction at the McKenzie River Discovery Center, the workshop will be hosted at the the ranch of well-known McKenzie River guide Roy Pruitt. Roy has passed, but his wife Shelly is providing the space as well as lodging and camping options on the property.
Bring Your Wooden Boat
For those planning to bring a wooden boat to the show, please arrive early enough (approximately 9 a.m.) so that your drift boat can be courtesy towed from the parking area to the riverfront grounds.
If you plan to arrive by the river, plan to arrive by 10:00 am. Those interested in joining an informal flotilla to Eagle Rock have two launch options. Depart from Forest Glen Boat Landing at 8 a.m. or Finn Rock Landing before 9 a.m.. Boats will gather under the Quartz Creek Bridge at 9 a.m. and proceed downriver as a group arriving at Eagle Rock Lodge at or around 10 a.m.
Boats can be pulled from the river, parked on the Festival grounds, and then re-launched for the takeout one-half mile downstream at Silver Creek landing. Please pre-arrange your shuttles.
There is no pre-registration or fee for showing your boats.
