From Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, June 15, the 27th Annual Ronceverte River Festival will be in full swing throughout downtown Ronceverte and Island Park.
According to Sally Baker from the Ronceverte Development Corporation, this year’s theme of “Home Grown & Green in Twenty-14” “reflects a return to local talent and an effort to attract local crafters and artists as vendors.”
New this year to the Ronceverte River Festival are several fun-filled activities including, a 115-foot long Hillbilly Zip Line, a dunking booth, and a water walking ball, where participants can walk on water inside a large plastic bubble.
“I think the zip line is going to be a hit with the crowd this year along with the increased number of vendors and bands,” Baker said.
In addition, free concerts at the Island Park Amphitheater, carnival rides, and over 30 arts & crafts and food vendors are available for the public to enjoy every day of the festival.
Brenda Wilson, also from the Ronceverte Development Corporation, shared that her favorite parts of the Ronceverte River Festival are “the concerts and the excitement over the Rubber Duck Race.”
Thursday night’s concerts feature “A Night of New Voices” with the Greenbrier Academy African Drums at 6:45 p.m., the band Marguerite at 7 p.m., and Greenbrier East High School’s own Second Block Rock at 8 p.m.
The Grand Parade will start at 7 p.m. on Friday with parade lineup at 5:30 p.m. Friday night’s entertainment is “Appalachian Roots Night” with “Folk Like Us” at 8 p.m., Cabin Fever at 9 p.m., and Harmony Creek Junction at 10 p.m.
All day Saturday strawberry shortcake will be sold in front of the Ronceverte Library. Both the 5-mile run and the Fishing Derby will start at 8 a.m. The Volleyball Tournament is $20 per player and will be held at the Island Park softball field at 9 a.m. Following that, the Tahoe Tractor Club Show will begin at 10 a.m.
At the Ronceverte Island Park Basketball Courts the three-on-three Basketball Tournament will start at noon. Registration costs $10 per player and begins at 11 a.m. or to pre-register call 304-646-2356.
The festival’s signature Rubber Duck Race starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday. There is a limited amount of tickets for this year’s race, but the cost is only $5 per ticket. Various shops in Ronceverte are selling tickets until 3 p.m. on Saturday or until they are sold out. After the race, the Duck Coloring Contest and the Ducky Leg Contest will be held.
Saturday night the Ronceverte River Festival will be “Rockin’ the Island” with Rivertown Gypsies at 7 p.m., Lost Shaker of Salt at 8 p.m., and Butch and the Whitewalls at 9 p.m.
Sunday’s events include the Thunder on the River Mud Bog at noon near the community garden, Irish Road Bowling at 1 p.m., and children’s games at 3 p.m.
Sunday night the entertainment will “Celebrate the Sacred” with Red River Drum at 6:30 p.m., Little Sparrow at 7 p.m., Gloryland Quartet at 7:30 p.m., Bryan McManus with the Thompsons at 8 p.m., and Tracie Wilmer at 8:30 p.m.
The Ronceverte River Festival will end, as usual, with the Grande Finale Fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m.
For more information, please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/The2014RonceverteRiverFestival or call 304-647-3825.
Also, don’t forget to pick up a yellow flyer with event and entertainment schedules at the Greenbrier Valley Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.
Article submitted by By Sara Swann