Another Rafting Gone Wild event, another alcohol ban on the American River

Alcohol will be banned this weekend along the American River from Hazel Avenue to Watt Avenue in anticipation of crowds for Rafting Gone Wild.

For safety, the Sacramento County Regional Parks director issued the restriction for Saturday and Sunday in an effort to prevent problems associated with the unpermitted event.

“The event being advertised for Saturday and Sunday has a strong focus on alcohol consumption, which contributes greatly to public safety concerns,” states a county news release.

Rafting Gone Wild, which has been coordinated on social media over the years, has drawn thousands of people to the American River. County officials estimated about 3,000 showed up last year.

The 2012 event was particularly tumultuous, resulting in 23 arrests as well as destruction of public and private property. That experience led the county in 2013 to begin restricting alcohol during such events.

Violations of the ban will be strictly enforced, the news release said.

This story was originally published June 22, 2017 at 4:26 PM with the headline "Another Rafting Gone Wild event, another alcohol ban on the American River."