The Red River is the site of two big sporting events this Labor Day weekend.

Sheila Norman with the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission told me this is our area's first time to host the U.S. Powerboat Nationals. If you need a visual, she said to think of this like a car race on the water.

"That's exactly what it looks like," Norman said. "Colorful boats, stickers all over them, going at high speeds in and out of each other in an oval. Just like NASCAR."

The event will be held on the Red near the Texas Street Bridge, and can be viewed for free from atop Sam's Town Casino (you do have to be 21 to do that), or from the Louisiana Boardwalk. There, a kid's zone will be set up under the bridge, complete with entertainment and food vendors.

Registration and testing kicks off the weekend Friday, and competitive racing starts at noon Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The commission is working hard to make sure this event remains a Labor Day tradition for Shreveport-Bossier.

"We are excited to be partnering with Powerboat Nationals and bringing an event of this caliber to Shreveport and Bossier City on Labor Day Weekend," said Kelly Wells, Executive Director of the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. "We are also planning a fireworks show for Saturday Night, along with other types of entertainment throughout the weekend."

Because the Stoner Boat Launch will be the pit area for the racing boats, the ramp will be closed to the public through Monday, September 5. If you want to launch your boat and watch the races from the water, you can -- but you'll need to do that from Arthur Ray Teague or Red River South Marina this weekend.

In addition to the Powerboat Nationals, the HydroFlight Invitational is also being held on the Red River this weekend. Twenty-one competitors will be featured Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-noon, then again from 6-8 p.m. The field will narrow down to eight competitors for Monday's finals from 10 a.m.-noon.

That competition can be viewed each day from behind Bass Pro Shops, on top of Sam's Town Casino after 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or from behind the Barnwell Center Sunday and Monday only.

CLICK HERE for more information about the events.

More From 96.5 KVKI