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Partying on Labor Day weekend takes planning, energy and skill - and Chico knows how to party.
Tubing was too small-time an activity for eight men who built a large raft to float on Sunday.
Keystone Light was the prominent can, but kegs on ice at the new Beer Can Beach turned more heads. Rapids may have carried the floaters to the party, but hip-hop beats from a generator-powered DJ table at the center of the beach kept people moving.
"Labor Day gets better every year," said senior Thomas Morgan. "People come more prepared, bring their own stuff and have more fun, less violence."
The Sacramento River hosted more than 15,000 floaters Friday through Monday, compared with fewer than 10,000 people last year. Fewer injuries and less crime occurred than in past years, however, largely because of the ingenuity of students and support from various public service agencies, said Tim Davis, a California State Parks ranger present at the event.
"We are here for public safety and support peaceful recreation," said Deputy Shawn Williams of the Glenn County Sheriff's Department. "Snags are the real danger, and if you don't know where they are they'll getcha."
Sheriffs on personal watercrafts and ThunderJet boats patrolled the river near Beer Can Beach on the lookout for fights and other dangers.
"The river is a lot more treacherous than people expect," said chief paramedic Dan James for the Butte County Fire Department. "At 60 degrees, people get hypothermic. Combine that with alcohol and decision-making goes downhill."
Despite wary fire and sheriff's departments, there were more games on Beer Can Beach than there were body retrievals from the water.
"Rocks" is a game like horseshoes, senior Nick Costa said. It is a point-based game played by tossing rocks into distant inner tubes.
There was also recreational tube jumping, Franzia wine slaps, football, barbecues and even a floating beer pong table, equipped with cup holders and bottle-cap lining.
Once tubers reached the beach, the hub of activity was the Red Bull umbrella and DJ table. Flanked by coolers with free Red Bulls, DJ Tom Kolstad bumped Mac Dre and Green Day.
Tubers' originality stemmed from past years' mistakes and policies. Drinking started at the river because there was a drinking ban at the parking lot. Zero tolerance for drunk driving ushered a wave of designated drivers, and a prohibition of glass bottles had people switching to plastic and cans.
"Not many citations this weekend," said Michael Fehling of California State Parks, who was checking for drinking violations and glass containers. "The crowd this year is behaving."
Plastic bottles and beer cans were deserted at the end of each day on Beer Can Beach for recyclers to pick up after the festivities.
"People turn the cans in for profit," said Sgt. Loren Bouldin of the Glenn County Sheriff's Department. "We grab what we can out of the river, but can't prove who put it there."
Littering fines of at least $800 were issued to those caught.
"There was a significant amount of trash left behind," said Capt. Michael Fehling of the department. "We will be cleaning it up all week."
A.S. Recycling volunteers will clean up River Road on Oct. 4, said Robyn DiFalco, A.S. sustainability coordinator.
"It was a huge mess," Borgman said. "The students usually pack out what they pack in, but with that many people, and people dumping tubes, there was a lot leftover."
Kelly O'Connor can be reached at koconnor@theorion.com
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