Formed in 1994, the event was originally known as the Harry Curley Memorial Canoe Race, in honor of “Mr. AuSable Canoe Race”, Harry Curley.  The event was renamed in 2003 to the Curley Memorial Canoe Race after the sudden passing of Kevin Curley, a popular Oscoda canoe paddler and avid race organizer.  In the years since, the race has come to honor other members of the Curley family involved in canoe racing, as well as all individuals who have contributed to Michigan canoe racing, whether through organizing races, volunteering, or participating.  The Curley Awards Picnic, held annually after the C-2 race, gathers donations for the MCRA’s Canoer’s Memorial Monument fund.

There is a C-2 (two-person canoe) race held on Saturday and a C-1 (one-person canoe) race held on Sunday.