River Fest [Riverfest] 2008

Frenchtown New Jersey will celebrate Labor Day with its 4th Annual River Fest on Friday, August 29, Saturday, August 30, and Sunday August 31 and Monday, September 1.

The festivities include all sorts of events like wine tastings, art openings, live music and a speaker series. For more information visit the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association River Fest Page Here.

River Fest 2006

Frenchtown, NJ will celebrate the 2nd annual RiverFest on Labor Day Weekend, September 1-3, 2006. This year RiverFest offers an entire weekend of festivities and events featuring free live music, a costumed pet show, a live radio broadcast, a fashion show, an arts and crafts show, educational exhibits and demonstrations, a benefit wine tasting, an independent film festival, a gourmet food tasting, several gallery openings, a book signing and more.

RiverFest was begun to celebrate the role of the Delaware River in local history and to support the preservation of the river and the surrounding environment. Each year the organizers plan to expand the role of not-for-profit organizations in sharing information with the public and advancing conservation and preservation.

The festival kicks off on Friday night at 6 PM with a special wine tasting fund-raiser to support the open space preservation efforts of The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance.






On Saturday and Sunday, two full days of live music are scheduled on the main stage located near the river between the Frenchtown Inn and Alchemy Clothing. Musicians from the local area and from all over New Jersey will be performing music ranging in style from pop music classics to funky rhythm and blues to country. During the day artists, craftsmen and craftswomen will show their latest creations in locations throughout downtown. There will also be additional educational exhibits and demonstrations sponsored by local non-profit environmental and conservation groups.

Additional activities include The 3rd annual River Moon Film Festival, a book signing, a trunk show, and special menus from Frenchtown's famous restaurants and caterers, along with The Lion's Club. Saturday ends on a high note at about sundown with the live broadcast of a live country music show from our local public radio station. Sunday ends with a reception for the film festival.

Wine Tasting

The festival kicks off on Friday night at 6 PM with a special wine tasting fund-raiser to support the open space preservation efforts of The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance (HLTA) under the main stage tent between The Frenchtown Inn and Alchemy Creative Clothing. This wine-tasting event is sponsored by land trust in association with the Wine Hut. Tickets are $25.00 per person, and can be purchased by calling 908 996-4421. For more information on the land trust and their vital work in our region, Visit The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance Website at www.hlta.org

Pet Show:

One of the featured events on Saturday will be the 3rd Annual Costumed Pet Show and Competition. This popular event features all sorts of animals in river themed outfits and costumes and starts at 2 PM. To enter your pet, contact Cleo Sharplin, RiverFest Chair, at Alchemy Clothing (908-996-9000). Prizes and ribbons will be awarded for costumes and creativity.

Fashion Show:

Another featured event, the annual fashion show hosted by local merchants, Alchemy Creative Clothing and Garbo + Sasha, is scheduled for Sunday, at 3 pm in the afternoon.

River Moon Film Festival:

For film buffs, The 3rd annual River Moon Film Festival, will feature 4-5 award winning independent films. Tickets for the film festival will be available on the day of performance at the River Union Stage box office on Harrison Street. For latest updates on the film festival check The River Union Stage Website at www.riverunionstage.org. The film fest closes on Sunday with a celebratory reception for ticket holders with wine and cheese.

Heartlands Hayride:

Saturday ends on a high note at about sundown with the live broadcast of Heartlands Hayride, a live country music show from our local public radio station WDVR.

Arts + Crafts Show:

RiverFest has a much larger group of participants in this year's arts and crafts show. These exhibitors include: Jessica Cwik: Short-Term Body Decor, Sheldon Pett: Beaded Jewelry, Archaoptrix: Jewelry, Paula Focazio: Decorative Tiles, Chestnut Hill: Gourmet Food, Jack Brennan: Brass + Copper Designs, Alexandria Historical Society, Reno Kumar: jewelry, Rina Manzino: hats, Sheila Smith, Jaimie Winslow, Jan Bear: Rag Dolls + Marionettes, Cindy Levinson: Jewelry, Rita Harris: Jewelry, Mindy Marks: Jewelry. Local artist and designer Val Sivilli will also be selling her official 2006 RiverFest T-Shirt, benefiting the FBPA, at Alchemy on Bridge Street. Exhibition space is still available and can be secured by contacting Cleo Sharplin, Festival Chair, at Alchemy at 908 996-7424.

Food:

The 2006 edition of RiverFest features an expanded selection of food choices in addition to our fine in-town restaurants, pizzerias, and pubs. Dish Catering, at the Bank parking lot, will be offering their signature Cuban Pork Sandwiches which is a pan toasted pita with slow roasted pulled pork, aioli and roasted red onion. They will also feature their boardwalk style fresh squeezed lemonades and their famous Belgian brownies. Frenchtown Inn Outdoors, in back of the Frenchtown Inn, will be offering an outdoor BBQ in addition to their full service restaurant and bar inside. Lions Club of Frenchtown, next to the main stage, will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, and soft drinks.

Exhibits:

The 2006 edition of RiverFest features a selection of non-profit educational exhibits by local organizations. Wolf Rescue will exhibit a wolf cub and provide information about the real life of this endangered animal. Delaware River Rescue Team River Rescue will present demonstrations and offer information about river safety. Bucks County Herald Newspaper will stage an educational exhibit entitled "Delaware River Floods Then and Now" showing fascinating shots of the many river floods in recent and not so recent history. The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance will present information about Land Preservation and the Environment, offering information on how everyone can assist in keeping Hunterdon County NJ livable and green. River Charter School will offer information about the unique educational formats of charter schools for children and offer activities focused on making fun stuff for kids. Any local non-profit is invited to join us. To secure a space for your not-for-profit organization contact Cleo Sharplin, Festival Chair, at Alchemy at 908 996-7424.

RiverFest Photos:

Click on photo to see larger version.

RiverFest 2006 Schedule:

Other events are in the making and news will be made available as they are definite. Check back here for the latest updates. There are no rain dates, the festival goes on rain or shine, as most events are tented. In case of bad weather, be sure to bring your umbrellas, and exhibitors are encouraged to set up their own tented booths.

RiverFest parking is available at 2 in-town lots, also to the rear of Kathy's General Store on Route 12, on many side streets and in lots generously made available by churches on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th streets (Saturday and Sunday AFTER 12:30 pm).

Sponsors:

River Fest 2006 is made possible by these sponsors: The New Jersey Department of Tourism, and Skylands Tourism Council of New Jersey, Riegel Federal Credit Union, and The Frenchtown Business and Professional Association.

It is also made possible by the generous permission for use of outdoor space by: George Michael of Georgetown Properties, TD Banknorth and The Borough of Frenchtown. The festival is also produced with the assistance and in-kind contributions of: Embarq (Sprint), Frenchtown.com, Frenchtowner.com, Civilian Clothing and Design, The Frenchtown Inn, River Union Stage, The Wine Hut and WDVR Heartland’s Hayride of Sergeantsville, NJ.