The inaugural Columbus Riverfest, featuring the first‑ever Ya Gotta Regatta, stayed afloat in more ways than one.

Spectators filled the grassy banks around Mill Race Park’s North Lake on Saturday as 27 teams from local government agencies, nonprofits and businesses raced cardboard boats to raise money for the United Way of Bartholomew County.

The event’s first responder heat paired Columbus police and fire crews against Columbus Regional Health EMS. Columbus Police Department (CPD) officers Isaiah McCory and Rebekah Simmons paddled to a respectable second-place finish. For the Columbus Fire Department (CFD), the race ended much sooner, and much wetter.

CFD’s cardboard vessel, aptly named “Send Help,” began taking on water within the first few seconds. Lt. Ben Noblitt said he knew trouble was ahead about 20 feet into the race when one of the boat’s pontoons kicked out.

“The pontoon kicked out, and I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, this is gonna be bad,’” Noblitt said.

As the boat settled lower and lower in the water, Noblitt and firefighter Trae Haley decided to steer toward shore rather than attempt to finish the course. CFD placed third in the heat, but earned plenty of cheers, and laughs, from the crowd.

The police crew also struggled early. McCory said he and Simmons had trouble paddling in sync at first. But as the fire department’s boat began to founder, CPD found its rhythm and pushed ahead.

“We weren’t the best at rowing with one another,” McCory said. “I think the fire department’s boat started sinking on them, so that kind of helped us get going because they were starting to go down like the Titanic.”

Columbus Regional Health EMS ultimately won the first responder heat, claiming the top spot in the debut regatta.