This Bee article from today noted, as is generally traditional on this last, rather cool day of summer, the beer was flowing but rowdiness was down, everyone had a good time, and the increased law enforcement helped...
River of revelers
Rafters soak up sun and beer but mostly behave themselves on traditional end-of-summer holiday
By Alison Roberts -- Bee Staff WriterPublished 2:15 am PDT Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Water guns and beer were flowing, but Labor Day rafting on the American River was a gentle ride. In other words, it was no Fourth of July.
Just two months ago, the Fourth turned inglorious quickly when a muddy melee broke out at a place called Gilligan's Island. The spot - at Rancho Cordova's Hagan Community Park - turned into a brawling party of 500 people hooting, hollering, drinking and fighting. Some women were topless and some men used paddles as well as fists as they squared off.
Sacramento County sheriff's officials fired pepper-powder balls to break it up, and about 50 people were arrested. The next day tons of trash - lingering like a bad hangover - had to be picked up.
Officials started talking of tighter controls or a ban on alcohol on the river. For now, they're still just talking.
There also was talk of how to stanch the lawlessness on Labor Day, another traditionally big rafting day.
Between a smaller crowd and a heightened law enforcement presence, things seemed to flow smoothly.
For the rest of the story: http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/13525520p-14366331c.html
