PHOTOS: Blaze on, big river! The Blazing Paddles #Cuyahoga50 race in photos

Bob Perkoski Monday, June 24, 2019
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Fifty years since the notorious Cuyahoga River blaze, the second annual Blazing Paddles race set the river ablaze in a whole new way—with kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes.

Spearheaded by Share the River, the event was aimed at highlighting how the river has "risen like a phoenix since the 1969 fire ignited the environmental movement." Participants took on one of two courses (5.7-mile or 13-mile) that provided an up-close look at Cleveland's iconic bridges, skyline, and other riverfront sites. See our photographer Bob Perkoski's images of spirited Clevelanders celebrating a river reborn.
Bob Perkoski
Bob Perkoski

About the Author: Bob Perkoski

In addition to his work for Fresh Water, Bob Perkoski is the official photographer for LAND studio and Cleveland Burlesque. He recently published a book of his photos Rust Belt Burlesque. He's had work published in other books like LGBTQ Cleveland by Ken Schneck, Rust Belt Chic: The Cleveland Anthology, Rust Belt Chic: The Pittsburgh Anthology and Moon Cleveland by Douglas Trattner. Previously he was co-founder/art director for Balanced Living Magazine. His substantial portfolio includes news coverage, portraiture, commercial imagery and fine art. Perkoski's first solo show, These Walks of Life premiered in December 2016 in Negative Space Gallery. Visit Perkoski Photography for complete profile information.
 
Originally from Conneaut, Ohio, Perkoski now lives close to the city in Parma. He has been Fresh Water's managing photographer since the publication's September 2010 inception.

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