HELEN – The previous week’s warm temperatures didn’t do much to warm the waters of the Chattahoochee, but that didn’t stop some 70 tubers from taking to the river in Helen on Saturday for the annual Fasching tube parade.
The sidewalk and river parade begin at the Helendorf Hotel each year, then participants parade through town, stopping at about a half dozen establishments for “schnapps stops” before entering the water for the river parade on tubes provided by Cool River Tubing.
Most participants wear colorful Mardi Gras-style outfits featuring purple, green and yellow, while others wear costumes.
This year, in honor of the 50th year of Helen’s Alpine Village theme, tubers received a commemorative pin.
Festivities continue Saturday, Feb. 16, when the Helen Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Fasching party from 7-11 p.m. at the Festhalle on Edelweiss Strasse, featuring German music, food, drinks and dancing. Cost for that family-friendly event is $8. For more details, visit helenchamber.org.
A T-Rex on a rainbow unicorn tube floats down the Chattahoochee River in downtown Helen Saturday as part of the Fasching River Parade.
Tubers brave the rapid current of the Chattahoochee River for the Fasching River Parade through Helen.
The Fasching River Parade is a family friendly event.
Some of the roughly 70 tubers make their way down the Chattahoochee River between Café International and The Troll Tavern in downtown Helen.
Tubers prepare for the rapids near the Helendorf Hotel.
People gather to watch the Fasching River Parade through Helen.
Jane Sims of the Faschingsverein Helen and other tubers navigate the Chattahoochee River in Helen on Saturday.
Catherine Cleiman and others gather behind the Helendorf to watch the Fasching River Parade.
A number of the roughly 70 tubes make their way down the Chattahoochee River in Helen as part of the Fasching River Parade.
The Fasching River Parade draws some six dozen tubers to the waters of the Chattahoochee River in Helen.
Walt Snyder of the Faschingsverein Helen River Rats relaxes after fighting through a sink between the rocks in the Chattahoochee.
Costumed tubers brave faster-than-normal currents in the Chattahoochee through Helen for the Fasching River Parade.
Participants in the Fasching Sidewalk Parade cross Main Street (Ga. 75) in downtown Helen Saturday afternoon.
Faschingsverein Helen leads Saturday's Fasching Sidewalk Parade through downtown.
Color costumes are an integral part of Fasching festivities in Helen.
The Fasching Sidewalk Parade makes its way along the Marketplatz in downtown Helen.
Walt Snyder of Faschingsverein Helen plays the drum during the Fasching Sidewalk Parade.
Fasching Sidewalk Parade participants make their way to the Chattahoochee River for the Fasching River Parade.
Fasching Sidewalk Parade participants, led by drummer Walt Snyder, cross Main Street (Ga. 75) in downtown Helen.
Colorful costumes are an important part of the Fasching celebration in Helen. Fasching is a German Mardi Gras celebration.
The Fasching Sidewalk Parade prepares to make the turn from Main Street onto Chattahoochee Strasse.
Fasching Sidewalk Parade participants pass Café International.
Fasching Sidewalk Parade participants practice holding their breath as they head to the Chattahoochee River for the Fasching River Parade.
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