A consortium of river and canoeing groups are holding a celebration of the Ocmulgee River Blueway in Hawkinsville this weekend, featuring paddling, bluegrass music, barbecue and a river cleanup.

The blueway project is a 54-mile “boating trail” along the river with camping facilities and river access points between Macon and Lumber City. The Georgia Conservancy, Georgia Canoeing Association, Hawkinsville Better Hometown and Rivers Alive will be partnering on this weekend’s festivities at Mile Branch Landing in Hawkinsville, according to a news release from the conservancy.

A Saturday paddle trip on the river will be hosted by a naturalist and a beginner canoe instructor for $10; the shuttle will leave the park at 9 a.m.

The barbecue meal Saturday night at 6 p.m. also is $10. Camping/canoe transport packages and full weekend packages also are available. Check-in for camping begins Friday at 5 p.m.

For more information about times, costs and what is included in the packages, contact Bryan Schroeder at (404) 876-2900, extension 110, or bschroeder@gaconservancy.org. To register, visit www.georgiaconservancy.org/ocmulgee.

To contact writer S. Heather Duncan, call 744-4225.