BUCKHANNON – The Buckhannon RiverFest aims to introduce more people to the joys of a free ride on a local river.
RiverFest organizer Kevin Campbell recently attended a Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board meeting to seek approval to host the annual RiverFest at the Riverwalk Park boat ramp on Saturday, August 24 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“It’s time for RiverFest again,” Campbell said. “It’s supposed to be bigger and better than last year, and last year was the best year yet. This is the eighth River Fest, and this year there are a lot more educational activities, especially for kids – demonstrations and things like that. Everything is free, even if you want to kayak down the river, it’s free; food is free, water is free, entertainment is free.”
RiverFest 2024 begins Saturday morning with a 4.5-mile community paddle on the Buckhannon River from Hampton to Riverwalk. Paddlers are asked to drop off their boats and equipment in Hampton. A shuttle will run from Riverwalk Park back to Hampton at 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
Events at Riverwalk Park begin with Water Flow Yoga and a fish-watching demonstration by the DNR. Both events begin at 10 a.m.
“The land recognition starts at 11 a.m. and at noon we start feeding people,” Campbell said. “Free Meals Appalachia donated 100 lunch boxes and we also donated pizza from Sam’s Pizza.”
The Elk River Ramblers will provide music at 3 p.m. and the interfaith water blessing will begin at the same time.
“We’re doing this to protect the Buckhannon River,” Campbell said. “We’re doing this to celebrate the tremendous value of this river and to encourage people to get out on the water. Last year we had over 100 people on the water and 60 percent of them were there for the first time. Last year they came from three states and we put up some heads and beds, so we’re hoping to have 150 this year.”
RiverFest is hosted by the Mountain Lakes Preservation Alliance; this year they partnered with the Buckhannon Watershed Association and the Buckhannon River Paddlers.
“There’s a lot of cross-promotion; people have been excited about it for months,” Campbell said. “I think we’ve got all the paperwork done and we’re ready to go.”
Mayor Robbie Skinner said he had heard a lot of excitement about the event this year.
“I’ve spent some time with the paddling group in Hampton and am also a huge fan of the river,” Skinner said. “We have a great river. I appreciate all the work that went into this event. Well done for working with all the groups that are interested in the river.”
This year there are a variety of exhibits to view, including Buckhannon River fish, macroinvertebrates or stream bugs, water quality and acidic mine waters, freshwater mussels, watersheds, plants and culture, properties of water (in ice making!), flooding, water conservation and recreation.
Free kayaks and paddleboards will be available to try out at the boat ramp. More information about the event can be found here.
