With over 300 boaters expected to take to the waters of the West Branch Susquehanna starting Saturday, it seems like a fitting way to showcase why this event has lasted five decades.

Dave Breisacher, president of the Delaware Valley Outboard Racing Association, a sanctioning body of the competition along with the American Power Boat Association (APA), said 330 boats are registered for the three-days of racing.

“I expect that number will grow until registration is closed on Saturday morning. We’ll have drivers from 16 states — as far away as Maine, Florida and Wisconsin, and as young as 11 and as old as 77,” Breisacher told The Express.

The Regatta races were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PHOTO PROVIDED Children get their face painted along Water Street during the carnival held each year during the Jaycees Labor Day Regatta.

But that hasn’t lowered the spirits and anticipation for this year’s event, Breisacher said.

“There was a lot of disappointment we weren’t able to race last year, but everyone is excited to be back this year. We’ll miss our Canadian friends who still aren’t able to cross the border, but with it being the 50th anniversary of the Jaycees’ involvement and the special nostalgia event, the Roll Up Cup, a lot of racers and ex-racers made special plans to be there,” he said. “As long as the river doesn’t crest too high, we should have a great weekend to race. We’re excited to be back!”

As of last night, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was predicting the river to rise to 10.5 feet as of late Thursday night.

While that is a moving target depending on rainfall in the watershed through last night and early today, if that crest occurs at least there are a couple of days for the river to fall before races begin after the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The races run daily through early Monday, Sept. 6. The opening ceremony has U.S. Rep. Fred Keller of the 12th District as speaker.

PHOTO PROVIDED A boater zips across the West Branch of the Susquehanna River during a past Regatta.

Racing enthusiasts will be able to view the races from the amphitheatre and levee walkway. The racing schedule will be posted there.

And of course Water Street will see multiple food, game and ride vendors, with music near the Jay Street intersection.

Advanced ride tickets are available now at Reese’s Print Shop, Avenue 209, Addie’s, That’s The Scoop and 92.1 WSQV and AM 1230 WBPZ, all in Lock Haven.

The weekend festivities will culminate in a large fireworks display on Sunday night at 10:30 p.m.

All of this in celebration of an event that started in September 1971.

PHOTO PROVIDED A group of boaters can be seen racing past Veterans Bridge on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

The date was Friday, Sept. 3, 1971, when the Regatta was born, according to Express archives.

“American Legion plans big Labor Day Weekend,” read the headline when the newspaper reported that William Marshall Crawford Post 131 started a block carnival the night of Sept. 3 on East Water Street, between Jay and Henderson Streets.

“A wide variety of games and concession stands and rides are planned,” the story read. “On Sunday (Sept. 5, 1971) at the Water St. parking lot across from the Fallon Hotel the Legion will sponsor the “Battle of the Barrels.”

Upward of 10 fire companies were registered for the fun competition.

On Labor Day 1971, the Legion and fire companies organized a parade.

It was 1972 when the Lock Haven Area Jaycees took over the celebration, introducing music, an art show and perhaps the forerunner to powerboat racing: “A raft race on the Susquehanna River between the Lock Haven State College and the Lock Haven Boat Club,” The Express reported.

On Labor Day of that year the Jaycees also launched a water skiing show and a concert by the 28th Infantry Division Band of the Pennsylvania National Guard from Indiantown Gap.

The weekend concluded with a “giant fireworks display.”

This year — in 2021 — the Regatta will begin this Friday evening, Sept. 3.

Included is a special RSVP event at the Elks Lodge for boaters, volunteers, present and past Jaycees, at which a video, “50 Years of Regatta” will be unveiled, along with presentation of numerous awards to long-time boaters, supporters, local volunteers and institutions. The event is sponsored by The Express community newspaper. The special national award of this race being the best site in the country also will be bestowed that night.

Races will run from 10 a.m. until dusk each day.

Food, rides and games open at 6 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. on Saturday and Monday, and 12 p.m. Sunday.

Other events include The Roll Up Cup on Saturday and Dash For Cash on Sunday. For more information about events and times visit www.lhjaycees.com.

Live music will be featured throughout the weekend on the JC Stage at the corner of Water and Jay streets. The following bands and musicians are set to perform:

FRIDAY

— Williamsport based Uptown Music Collective from 7 to 10 p.m.

SATURDAY

92.1 WSQV Day

— Speed Bump Willy (acoustic), Jason Brown and Joel Long from 12 to 4 p.m.

— Bob Richardson of Hybrid Ice at 4 p.m.

— Quarter Stick at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY

28th Annual Bear Bash hosted by Bear Country WQBR 99.9

— Lomison Family band at noon.

— Pennycoff Family featuring Kopper and Kash at 1 p.m.

— Ridin’ Shotgun at 2:30 p.m.

— Granma Ben at 3:45 p.m.

— The Heartstrings at 5:30 p.m.

— Biscuit Jam at 6:45 p.m.

— Cadillac Cats at 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY

— Classic Rock Revival at 12 p.m.

— Phil Reeder at 3 p.m.

— One80 at 5 p.m.