There will be a lot of traffic on the Savannah River during the third annual Paddlefest on Saturday.

"The city of Augusta asked us a few years ago to bring back what was the Augusta river raft race," said Tonya Bonitatibus, the field director for Savannah Riverkeeper, which organizes the event. "We did, and we added our own twist to it by adding canoes and kayaks."

The canoe and kayak race will start at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, and the homemade raft race will start at the Hammond's Ferry boat ramp. Both races will end at the boathouse on Riverfront Drive.

The homemade raft race has become quite popular among Paddlefest participants and spectators, Ms. Bonitatibus said.

"It's great. People get really creative when creating their rafts," she said. "It's a lot of fun to watch."

There will be awards for the first loser -- the second raft to cross the finish line; ugliest, most enthusiastic; most original; most colorful; best craftsmanship; best engineered; and most oddly shaped.

This year organizers added vendors to the event and are even going green.

"Our event included giving away a lot of plastic bottles to our participants in the past years," she said. "Something we're very proud of this year is that instead of getting plastic bottles, each participant will receive a stainless steel water bottle."

Those interested in participating in either race may register through Saturday morning. Proceeds from the event will go to Savannah Riverkeeper and its programs.

"It's going to be a fun-filled day, and I encourage everyone to come out and take part in it," Ms. Bonitatibus said.

For more information about the event or registering, visit www.savannahriverkeeper.org/paddlefest or call (706) 826-8991.

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.