While Manitoba's rivers sometimes get a bad rap – especially during flood season – Winnipeggers gathered to drown out those complaints with a celebration on Canadian Rivers Day.

"The whole purpose is to get people on the river because it's such a beautiful resource," says Shona Kusyk who helped organize the event. It's an underutilized resource....not just for water but for enjoyment too."

The event, scheduled from noon to 5:00 at The Forks, was meant to showcase the role Manitoba's rivers have played in developing Canada, especially the province's four designated Heritage Rivers: the Seal, Hayes, Bloodvein and Red. It's also hoped to bring tourism to Manitoba.

"We want people to want to come to Winnipeg because we have these rivers and they're just an important part of who we are and our heritages," says Kusyk.

Paddling and lifesaving demonstrations were held throughout the afternoon and famed "Arctic to Amazon" traveler Don Starkell was the keynote speaker.