Grab your paddle, bring your family and friends to the lively and entertaining festivities of RiverFest 2015. It will be an exciting, action-packed day. Join the fun on the waterfront of the scenic Chester River in the Arts and Entertainment district of historic Chestertown, MD. The races for kayaks, canoes, and cardboard boats are open to the public and paddlers are encouraged to register now to be a part of this fun-filled day.
RiverFest will be held Daturday, September 26.
A kayak and canoe sprint will lead off the water events, with separate heats for different length kayaks, tandem kayaks, and canoes. Outrageous trophies will be awarded for the winners of each heat. Registrants receive RiverFest t-shirts, race numbers and admission to the Paddlers’ Poker Run. The races are sponsored by Chesapeake Bank and Trust.
Washington College’s Center for Environment and Society invites everyone to show their creativity and ingenuity in the ninth annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. The short, spirited and often soggy race features a variety of clever and whimsical boats that occasionally make it to the finish line. This rambunctious crowd-pleaser is as much fun for spectators as for the racers. This public is welcome to participate for numerous awards and cash prizes.
The Paddler’s Poker Run is open to all racers, or there is a separate registration for “card sharks” who prefer to stick with a more leisurely pace. Paddlers follow a course to five different kiosks along the river, from which each paddler takes a sealed envelope containing a playing card. At 4:30 all paddlers gather and open their envelopes to see who drew the winning “stud” poker hand, and the winner will take a cash prize. Non-winners get one more chance in the “draw” poker hand by buying up to four new cards. The winning “draw” poker hand takes the second cash prize.
When not on the river paddling, Wilmer Park will be filled with activities at the “Sun, Sail and Paddle Expo.” Paddlers can see what’s new in environmentally friendly watercrafts. Exhibitors from around the region will have watercrafts on display. The expo also features artists’ displays and sales, as well as family activities, music and food.
RiverFest is a daylong celebration of Chestertown’s scenic waterfront, our history, heritage and our vibrant community of art and artists. Races and Expo festivities will take place in Wilmer Park and along the waterfront in Chestertown’s Arts & Entertainment district from Noon to 5:30 p.m. Capping the day will be the Lighting Ceremony of RiverFest’s 25 foot tall, floating solar-powered sculpture at the end of High Street at sunset. RiverFest is sponsored in partnership by Washington College’s Center for the Environment and Society, and SANDBOX, and Chestertown RiverArts.
For more information about RiverFest, to register for the races or the exciting Paddler’s Poker Run, or to participate in the Expo, visit chestertownriverarts.org or call 410-778-6300.
Will jam Madar says
Hi, We have enjoyed a “Caterday ” here in Kent County for so years. Can you tell us what we can expect from a “Daterday”?
William Madar says
Hi,
We have enjoyed a “Caterday” here in Kent County for some years. What might be a “Daterday”?
Bill