Labor Day fun in Colusa

The calendar reports the seasons change in mid-September, but everyone knows the unofficial end to summer is Labor Day.

American flags dotted the streets in Colusa, Arbuckle, Maxwell and Williams to recognize Labor Day — the work of local organizations — but it was camping, fishing, boating and weekend barbecues that highlighted the holiday.

Since 1882, Labor Day has celebrated the "social and economic achievements of American workers," according to the Department of Labor, but for most people, work was the last thing on their minds.

"What a great holiday," said Candy Langford, whose family camped at the Colusa state park over the holiday. "We were afraid it was going to be really hot, but it was actually nice. We had a good time."

The Langfords came from Fresno to spend the holiday with family members, who drove down from Grants Pass, Oregon.

"We have friends in the area, so we thought Colusa would be a great place to meet up," she said, as she broke down a bright pink tent to go home on Monday. "It was our first time staying here, but we will probably do it again next year."

Although the weekend was relatively quiet, according to local law enforcement, both county residents and out-of-area tourists chose East Park Reservoir or the Sacramento River as their holiday destination.

Debbie Paul of Lewiston and Debbie Bates of Sacramento spent Sunday floating down the Sacramento River from Colusa to Lovey's Landing for the annual Redneck Regatta.

"This is our second year doing this," Bates said. "It's so much fun."

The couple's makeshift barge — a picnic table on floats with an umbrella sticking up from the center — was among several creative vessels that were launched on the three-hour tour down river.

"Last year we picked up a couple of guys, but they capsized us twice," Paul said. "This year we're going it alone."

Floating bars, rubber rafts, lawnchairs on Styrofoam blocks, and decorated barges of all kinds made their way silently through the current to their final destination — a Labor Day party that included good food and lots of fun, according to Jim Schlosser, of Lovey's Landing.

"This is the fourth annual Redneck Regatta sponsored by Lovey's," Schlosser said Sunday. "We get about 100 people, so it's petty cool."

Unlike the annual Labor Day float on the Sacramento River in northeastern Glenn County, which attracts hundreds of Chico State University students, the majority of participants in the Redneck Regatta Sunday were older adults.

Only a handful of children, strapped into life preservers, made their way down the Sacramento River on a variety of unusual watercraft.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.