Sign Up Today for the La Crosse River Barge Vault!
Click Here to Register!
LA CROSSE, Wis. -- Pole-vaulters will compete on a giant river barge in front of thousands of cheering spectators here at the 7th Annual River Vault, to be held July 3rd and 4th on the waters of the Mississippi River.
Last year, soaring pole-vaulters captivated the crowd at the River Vault. (Photos by Daniel Schraith.)
Event organizer Jeremiah Burish says, "Don't miss your chance to get LARGE on a BARGE!"
"The River Vault is a big stage with great competition," said Burish, Director of Sports Sales at the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The great crowd, fast runway, and electric atmosphere combine to make a recipe conducive for lifetime personal bests."
Cheering the competitors will be Maggie Steele, storybook heroine of the magical novel, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon.
Last year's top vault was Peter Geraghty’s 18’6″ pr, an astounding leap on land, sea, or barge.
“Maggie is delighted to be invited back to the only barge vault in the world!” said author Grant Overstake. "Kudos to Jeremiah Burish and his crew for always putting on a great, great show!"
With an expanded new, two-day format, crowds will cheer as brave pole-vaulters soar high above the water.
Katie Wright's barge vault made the TV news back home in Kentucky!
Sponsored by the La Crosse Track Club, the event is just one of many scheduled for Riverfest, which will run from July 1-4, 2016. In addition to music by Grammy-nominated David Nail, attendees are invited to bring bikes, kayaks, and hiking shoes to enjoy the scenic beauty of the limestone bluffs along the Mississippi River. Of course, an amazing fireworks display will conclude the Independence Day weekend's festivities.
Last year's barge vault was the first of its kind. A 125' by 50' barge was moored to the river bank and a portable pole-vault runway and pit were mounted on deck. Because it was the first of its kind anywhere, every single age-group winner claimed a "world-record-holder for a barge vault," adding excitement, and media coverage.
BargeVaultSunset
Invite 'Maggie' to Your Event!
Western Express Pole Vault Club celebrates a great season with Maggie Awards.
Maggie Steele is a gritty farm girl who pours her heart into the daring sport of pole-vaulting. An enchanting work of magical realism with brilliant descriptions of a breathtaking sport, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon is a powerful and rewarding read for mid-grade to adults.
Presenting Maggie Vaults Over the Moon is an exciting way to inspire and reward your athletes. Order ‘Maggie’ at quantity discounts and get awesome social media exposure for your club, camps, and street vaults. Contact Go Team Enterprises to learn more (Click Here).
Maggie is now available on audiobook performed by Tavia Gilbert at Downpour.com, Audible.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Indigo Books & Music, Indiebound and many other sites. CD/Library versions of the audiobook are available at BlackstoneAudio.com.
Reviews
"Girls who play sports and the coaches and families who support them will thoroughly enjoy this warm, uplifting story."
-- Christine Brennan, USA TODAY
"This inspiring tale celebrates the courage to turn tragedy and loss into something positive, and how the determination to master a sport can heal."
--Doug Bouma, Editor, VAULTER Magazine.
"A fine young adult novel about perseverance in sports and in life."
-- KIRKUS REVIEWS
"An inspirational pick for young adult fiction collections."
-- MIDWEST BOOK REVIEWS
"Heartwarming and realistic, this book is a winner!"
-- Nancy Julien Kopp, CHICKEN SOUP & GUIDEPOST