What's included

  • A live concert on the river!

  • Kayak, canoe, and/or stand-up paddleboard rental

  • Paddle & PFD rental

  • Safety brief & basic paddling instruction

  • Assistance with boat launch and take out

Itinerary

3:00 PM: Arrival for boats & paddle out
4:00 – 4:45 PM: Blake Tedder
4:45 – 5:15 PM: Set break & speaking
5:15 – 7:00 PM: Redbud Bluegrass

Hawesome Benefit Concert

Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 3-7 pm

Register here!

Hawesome is a benefit concert for the Haw River Assembly where the venue is the Haw River itself! The artists play from a dock on Saxapahaw Lake while you enjoy the show from paddleboard, kayak or canoe! $20 of your ticket price goes straight to the HRA, who help clean & protect our beloved river.

Redbud is a bluegrass band based in Boone, NC, honoring traditional bluegrass while blending in a fresh, modern style. As a group of young musicians, they create a warm, inviting sound that reflects both their deep respect for the genre’s roots and their passion for innovation.

Imagine drifting on the water in your canoe or kayak, the gentle current beneath you, trees along the bank, and live music drifting across the surface of the Haw River. The musicians play from the dock, the audience floats on the river. An experience unlike any concert you've ever attended! It's intimate, it's wild, and it's deeply, beautifully connected to the natural world.

What is Hawesome?

Hawesome is a benefit concert for the Haw River Assembly where the venue is the Haw River itself! The artists play from a dock on Saxapahaw Lake while you enjoy the show from paddleboard, kayak or canoe! Funds go straight to the Haw River Assembly, who help clean & protect our beloved river.

Imagine drifting on the water in your canoe or kayak, the gentle current beneath you, trees along the bank, and live music drifting across the surface of the Haw River. The musicians play from the dock, the audience floats on the river — an experience unlike any concert you've ever attended. It's intimate, it's wild, and it's deeply, beautifully connected to the natural world.

FAQ’s:

What if I don’t have a boat?

Participants can rent a boat through Haw River Canoe and Kayak, or participants can bring their own boats.

What if there is bad weather? What is the cancellation policy?

Registrations are non-refundable! The organizers reserve the right to cancel due to inclement weather or delay the start time if necessary.

If you are renting a boat from the Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co., we can credit the rental fee towards a future paddling trip if you cancel your registration at least 24 hours in advance or if the organizers have to cancel the event due to inclement weather.

What should I bring?

  • Your canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or any personal watercraft — or rent one on-site for $5 per person

  • Personal flotation device (PFD) must be worn — HRCK can provide PFDs for guests without them

  • Sunscreen, a hat, and layers for the evening

  • Water, snacks, and your favorite river-day beverages — please note that alcohol is not permitted on HRCK boats

  • Your best dancing-in-a-boat moves

Do I need to know how to paddle to do this trip?

Not at all! Saxapahaw Lake is perfect for beginners, with no current, no rocks, and no wake-forming motor boats. Our staff is happy to offer basic instruction to new paddlers and will assist with both launch and take-out whenever possible.

Is your access public use?

Yes! This trip uses the Saxapahaw Lake public access on Jordan Drive, managed by Alamance Parks. Private boaters are free to use the access during Park hours, but gas-powered engines are not permitted.

Is the river a circle?

Rivers are only circles at water parks! Saxapahaw Lake is part of the Haw River, which flows from north-west of Greensboro to Jordan Lake, after which it joins the Deep River to form the Cape Fear River. From there, it flows down to Wilmington and the river's namesake, Cape Fear.

Is it a river or a lake?

It's both! Saxapahaw Lake is a reservoir on the Haw River created by a 30 foot dam in Saxapahaw. At normal river levels, the reservoir has no current for about 5 miles, and the river widens significantly about a mile from the dam, creating what we call "Saxapahaw Lake". Fun fact: there are no natural lakes in the piedmont and mountain regions of North Carolina! Jordan Lake, Falls Lake, Lake Norman, etc, are all man-made reservoirs created by dammed up rivers.