Mellow participants at alcohol-free ‘Raftopia’ event on American River | The Sacramento Bee

Hundreds gathered Saturday morning on the banks of the American River in Rancho Cordova for “Raftopia,” a nonpermitted event that prompted a one-day alcohol ban.

Sgt. A.J. Bennett, a Sacramento County Regional Parks ranger, said the Rancho Cordova Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, volunteer mounted officers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel assisted rangers Saturday to ensure participants had a safe day on the river.

“The water will wear a swimmer out in a hurry,” Bennett said.

Park ranger Greg Stelzner said the Saturday crowd was mellow.

“We have a good crowd. … A couple of church groups came through,” Stelzner said. Rafters were cooperative, either throwing beer away or taking it back to their parked vehicles.

Michael Doane, chief ranger for Sacramento County Regional Parks, said the ban was just for one day “so that people can enjoy the river … with no risk of near drownings.”

Six arrests were made at the June event, formerly known as Rafting Gone Wild.

In 2012, 23 people were arrested at the Rafting Gone Wild event, while 15 were arrested at last year’s gathering.

As of Saturday afternoon, there were no arrests or causes for concern, said Sgt. Wade Derby, spokesman for Sacramento County Regional Parks.