Ronceverte River Festival committee members are excited to announce that the river festival will be making a return this June.
According to Ronceverte River Festival Committee Chair, Mark Mengel, the festival will kick off on Friday, June 11, with a grand parade and end with a fireworks display on Saturday, June 12.
Typically, the festival lasts three days, but due to the lack of fundraising activities, and the last-minute scramble to organize the event, the committee decided to make the festival the best that they could by omitting Sunday’s activities.
It wasn’t until March of this year that festival organizers even knew they would be able to have an outdoor event, Mengel said.
“It excited us, but we couldn’t do what we wanted to do,” Mengel continued. “This year, rather than a bigger event that would have been slapped together, we decided to have a smaller event, done well.”
“The fact that we are having a festival is wonderful,” he added.
As always, throughout the festival, children and adults will be able to enjoy live music, games, contests and enjoy the ever-popular Great Rubber Ducky Race.
Mengel also announced that the festival committee was able to contribute an additional $2,000 toward what may be one of the best fireworks displays ever.
Also, the committee has been able to announce the Ronceverte River Festival Queen — Bridgett Altizer.
The following is a schedule of events provided by the Ronceverte River Festival Committee:
Friday, June 11
5:45 p.m. — Parade line-up starts at Island Park. Participants in the parade do not need to register, but must be present early enough for line-up. Trophies will be awarded for the best non-motorized miscellaneous, antique car, street rod, dance group, civic organization, float/walking group, motorcycle, farm/antique equipment, horse-drawn, equestrian, fire truck, EMS squad and festival committee favorite.
7 p.m.-7:30 p.m. — Buddy Allen and the Cheat River Band will perform at the amphitheater.
8:30 p.m. — The Victor Kent Family Circus performs at the Island Park.
Saturday, June 12
10 a.m. — Rock painting, duck pond and best-dressed duck coloring contest continues.
11 a.m. — Strawberry shortcake sale sponsored by the Friends of the Ronceverte Library; children’s games begin and the Victor Kent Family Circus performs.
11:30 a.m — Three on three basketball tournament sponsored by the Ronceverte Lions Club.
3 p.m. — Sale of the Great Rubber Ducky Race tickets ends, music by The Thomas Taylor Band and the Victor Kent Family Circus performs.
4 p.m. — The Great Rubber Ducky Race. Winners are notified by phone or mail following the race.
4:30 p.m. — More music by The Thomas Taylor Band.
5 p.m. — Duck hunt.
6 p.m. — Punt, pass and kick competition sponsored by the Ronceverte Raiders, the Victor Kent Family Circus performs, the best-dressed duck contest ends and judging begins.
7:30 p.m. — Fallen Rock performs at the amphitheater.
9 p.m. — The Victor Kent Family Circus performs and voting for best-dressed duck ends.
10 p.m. — Fireworks.
Tickets for the Great Rubber Ducky Race are currently on sale for $5 at various locations throughout Ronceverte, Fairlea and Lewisburg.
Mengel added that volunteers are always needed for events at the Ronceverte River Festival. To become a volunteer, contact Mengel at 304-647-8864.
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