River Fest Schedule
River Fest 2017 Tentative Schedule
Wednesday, August 2
Lions Club Chicken Barbecue Lunch
11:30 a.m., Big Top
The Lions Club’s popular barbecue returns this year. A meal includes one half barbecued chicken, coleslaw, chips, a roll and butter, bottled water, and a whoopie pie. Ticket price TBD.
Bingo
1-8 p.m., TBD
Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County will host an evening of bingo.
Classic Car Cruise-In
4:30 p.m., Big Top
Classic, restored, and modified cars from the area will be on display.
Lions Club Chicken Barbecue Dinner
5 p.m., Big Top
The Lions Club’s popular barbecue returns this year. A meal includes one half barbecued chicken, coleslaw, chips, a roll and butter, bottled water, and a whoopie pie. Ticket price TBD.
Skowhegan Community Band Concert
5:30 p.m., Big Top
The Skowhegan Community Band will play the classics.
Thursday, August 3
Moonlight Madness
6-10 p.m., Water and Commercial streets
Hosted by the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce, this long-standing event includes kids’ activities provided by Skowhegan Parks and Rec, live music, numerous vendors, and the famous bed races (see below).
Annual Sundowner Canoe and Kayak Race
6:30 p.m., Swinging Bridge
Registration is from 4:30 to 6 p.m., with the race beginning at 6:30. Bart Hughes from SouthSide Tavern annually organizes this recreational 3-mile kayak and canoe race.
Bed Races
7 p.m., Water Street
Hosted by Skowhegan Parks and Rec, teams of five compete head to head by pushing beds on caster wheels down Water Street. Register at Moonlight Madness under the tent until 6:30 p.m. For ages 14 and up.
Friday, August 4
Skowhegan Rotary Club Lobster Bake
11 a.m.-8 p.m., Big Top
Lobster, hamburgers, and hotdogs will be available. Each meal comes with corn, coleslaw, a roll, a cookie, and a drink. Meal ticket prices are TBD.
Drivers and Duffers Golf Classic
Noon, Lakewood Golf Course
This golf classic is put on by the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration includes one round of 18 holes, one ticket for a lobster dinner, and one player’s portion of a cart.
Glow Stick River Run
8:30 p.m., Cleaver Boat Landing/Route 2 rest area east of downtown
Paddlers are equipped with glow sticks for a visually compelling experience. Registration fee is $5 and includes glow sticks. Register at the Skowhegan Community Center (39 Poulin Dr., 207-474-6901), and bring your own gear. Some canoes and kayaks will be available for those who wish to borrow.
Saturday, August 5
Pancake Breakfast
7:30-9:30 a.m., Tewksbury Hall behind the Federated Church
Enjoy pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage for only $7 per adult and $5 per child.
Skowhegan Farmers’ Market
9 a.m.-1 p.m., Somerset Grist Mill parking lot
Area farmers sell vegetables, meat, cheese, breads, and more.
Main Street Craft Fair
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Big Top
Main Street Skowhegan presents this fair featuring numerous vendors with a variety of wares.
Family Fun Day Activities
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Municipal Parking Lot
Presented by Skowhegan Parks and Rec, activities include rock-wall climbing, river rock painting, a watermelon-eating contest, and more.
Raft Rides
10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., Kennebec River Gorge
Moxie Outdoor Adventures sponsors free rafting rides! Organized by Skowhegan Parks and Rec, these rides are sure to be a memorable adventure. Sign up at the Skowhegan Rec tent near the climbing wall; rides are on a first-come, first-served basis until full. For ages 5 and up.
Move More Kids Day Activities
10 a.m.-1 p.m., Somerset Grist Mill parking lot
Presented by the New Balance Foundation and Somerset Public Health, Move More Kids Day includes hula hooping, relay races, an obstacle course, a fire truck tour, games, pizza making, and more.
Duck Derby
2:30-4:30 p.m., Skowhegan riverfront
Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County hosts this rubber-duck river race. Participants may adopt as many ducks as they like. Visit the Hospice website for more information.
Brewery Tour
5:30-8 p.m., starting from Bloomfield’s Tavern
A shuttle will take attendees to local breweries Oak Pond Brewing Co. and Bigelow Brewing Co. Must be 18 or older to attend.
Fireworks
9 p.m., Great Eddy
Atlas Fireworks will light up the night sky. View this spectacular River Fest culmination from downtown, the eddy, or the pedestrian bridge.
