Larry Patrick, the founder of the Ramblin’ Raft Race on the Chattahoochee River, has died at the age of 66, Atlanta Magazine reported.

Running from 1969 to 1980, the annual race of homemade rafts drew hundreds of thousands of people. It also drew attention to the river, which was a little-known natural resource at the time. Today, 48 miles of the river are preserved as a National Recreation Area with a main visitor center in Sandy Springs.

Boaters in the Back to the 2013 Chattahoochee River Race and Festival, one of many modern recreational events following the former Ramblin' Raft Race. (File Photo)
Boaters in the 2013 Back to the Chattahoochee River Race and Festival, one of many modern recreational events following the former Ramblin’ Raft Race. (File Photo)

John Ruch is an Atlanta-based journalist. Previously, he was Managing Editor of Reporter Newspapers.

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