It’s summertime on the river and the fun begins with the 2017 Ronceverte River Festival, from Thursday, June 8-Sunday, June 11, with a full schedule of events for the whole family to enjoy.
This year marks 30th year the festival has opened the summer season on the second weekend in June for Greenbrier County residents and visitors alike. The festival is held annually at Ronceverte’s Island Park, on Hwy. 219, six miles south of Lewisburg and I-64.
One of the biggest draws to the festival is the Great Rubber Ducky Race, bringing hundreds to the Island Park amphitheater, with 30 prizes to give away, almost all worth $100 or more. Tickets are on sale right up to an hour before the race. Food vendors and arts and craft tables will be on display every day of the festival, and, on Saturday, don’t miss tasting the strawberry shortcake on sale all day, sponsored by Friends of the Ronceverte Library.
The kids will love the bounce houses, dunking booth, games and fishing derby. Music and entertainment will keep everyone tapping their toes throughout the weekend. On Friday night, at 7 p.m., the Grand Parade will honor the Ronceverte River Queens.
Saturday has a full agenda to include a fishing derby for kids 14 and under at 8 a.m., a five-mile run and a one-mile run early in the day, a volleyball tournament, a car and bike show, a horseshoe tournament, a basketball tournament and the Greenbrier River Iron Shields-Poker Run, plus, at 4 p.m., the Rubber Ducky Race. Later, there will be a recognition of past River Festival Queens, and “a tribute to the Everly Brothers” by American Pride.
On Sunday, starting at 9 a.m., is the small mouth bass tournament, and at noon, the not-to-miss River Mud Bog, followed by Irish road bowling and a corn hole tournament. Gospel singing will entertain all afternoon, and a grand finale fireworks display will close the four-day event at 9:30 Sunday night. Whew! Don’t miss it.
