Sorry... no DOGS are permitted in the RivahFest area... for the safety and convenience of all visitors
RivahFest 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Next Year: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Download the Festival Schedule 
Click here to view short RivahFest videos
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Welcome Message from Tyler Lowery, Chair of RivahFest 2008
Check out this year's RivahFest 2008 Photo Gallery
Welcome to the Tappahannock-Essex County Chamber of Commerce sponsored RivahFest 2008, a fun community festival that will be held in downtown Tappahannock Prince Street on June 21, 2008. RivahFest 2008 will be even better than last year, when more than 12,000 visitors got a first-hand look at our community’s most outstanding features—and had fun doing it. Dozens of volunteers have been working for months to prepare for the June 21 event. And the best news of all is that entry to the RivahFest 2008 area is FREE - only a small charge for children's rides, and of course for food and drink.
“Tappahannock deserves a great festival,” said 2008 Steering Committee Chair Tyler Lowery. “It’s not only a source of community pride, it also promotes tourism and economic development.”The ever popular Fireman's Parade will open RivahFest on Friday evening at 7 p.m. with a judged parade through downtown, starting on Water Lane and turning on Prince Street. The Miss Flame contest open to young ladies from Essex and the surrounding counties will be staged at St. Margaret's Stage 2 on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.
Back by popular demand this year are a huge Arts, Crafts and Antiques section, Children’s Activities area, an expanded Farmer’s Market and the “Treasures of Tappahannock” historic walking tour. Two Entertainment Stages will feature a wide variety of performers, headlined by the legendary musical style of Steve Bassett, Ammon Tharpe with the Mystic Soul Bubbas and supported by one of Richmond, Virginia's favorite hometown hitters Janet Martin Band.
There’s also a Maritime Area with boat displays and other nautical activities, an even bigger Antique Car display, and the “Taste of Tappahannock” food area, featuring local seafood and festival favorites. A new additon, the Golf Hole in One drew over a thousand contestants with a chance to win a new truck - this year, new targets and multiple prizes will raise the challenge to a new level. RivahFest offers merchants and community groups an outstanding opportunity to gain visibility, make sales or raise money, Tyler Lowery noted. A “Merchant’s Row” has been improved this year to accommodate displays by local businesses and organizations. Vendor applications are being accepted for the Arts, Crafts and Antiques area (Terry Brooks 804-443-4855 or Marsha Wadsworth 804-443-4612), “Taste of Tappahannock” food court (Libbie Franklin 804-443-4343), and Farmer’s Market and Merchant’s Row (Kathy Kirila 804-443-2661). To ensure listing in the festival program, the deadline is April 15. Vendors can apply using easily downloaded forms from this web site.
The highly successful RivahFest Idol contest is open to teenagers 12 to 18 years old. New this year the St. John's Choral Concerts from 10 am to 3pm, a great place to cool off and relax during the heat of the day. In addition, event organizers are tackling the traffic challenges that RivahFest generates by providing satellite parking on both the north and south ends of the town limits this year - see map for location of shuttled parking areas.Spearheaded by the Tappahannock-Essex Chamber of Commerce, RivahFest benefits from support by a score of local businesses that have encouraged their employees to serve on festival committees. In addition to Tyler Lowery, Steering Committee members are Glenn Morse, Libbie Franklin, Katherine Newman, Thomas Bradshaw, David Broad and Chamber Treasurer John Clickener.
Additional committee chairs include Marsha Wadsworth & Terry Brooks Arts, Crafts and Antiques, Phil Stinchcomb, Logistics and Safety; Katherine Newman, Promotions and Advertising; Glenn Morse, Sponsorship; David Broad, Publications & Da Vinci Code Treasure Trail; Libbie Franklin, Taste of Tappahannock; Tyler Lowery, Maritime Area, Catfish Contest and Fireman's Parade & Miss Flame; Jennifer Lowery, Children’s Activities; George and Sandy Longest, Entertainment; Kathy Kirila, Farmer's Market and Merchant's Row; Liz Martin, RivahFest Idol ; Suzanne Rennolds, Treasures of Tappahannock Tour; Peyton Guest, Antique Car Show; and Pat and Liz Martin, Beer and Wine Garden. 
New in 2008, the Tappahannock Da Vinci Code Treasure Trail will stretch your sleuthing and deduction ability to capture the answer to 12 clues around downtown Tappahannock and compete for the $500 cash prize. Each clue will direct you to an intersection in the festical area from where you can use your crossword puzzle skills to find the code numbers. For more information, to volunteer or to suggest ideas, for this year or next year, please contact the respective committee chairs - these folks are the community leaders who are making this event happen and all your help and assistance is most welcome! Want to be part of RivahFest fun? Volunteer your help online
Commercial sponsors can be a Stage Sponsors or an Event Sponsor, or advertise in the RivahFest Guide. Download the Sponsorship Agreement or call Glenn Morse at the EVB 804-443-9381 - email Glenn Morse The June Parker Marina on Route 17 North will be running a Catfish Fishing Contest with over $3,000 in prize money, starting at 7 AM. To register go to the Contest Form web page and mail in the registration with your check $100 per boat, or bring it with you on the day - the registration fee on the day is $125 per boat. In the main Festival area, a Marine Events, Display and Services area will provide displays and river activities which will demonstrate our enjoyment of this beautiful riverfront community.
Taking advantage of Tappahannock's heritage, visitors can take one of the two free one-hour guided tours - The Tappahannock Walk and tour the historic locations of downtown Tappahannock - all located within a three by three block area - and led and narrated by a knowledgeable local resident. The tour will include the Customs House, Taverns, Debtors Prison, Courthouse, Schools and Churches and cover 200 years of history from the mid 1600's to the mid 1800's.RivahFest Activities
Two Music Stages
Choral Groups
Antique Cars
Duck Decoys
Crafters
SeaFood
Crab Race
Beer Garden
Wine Garden
Antique tractors
Antique Boats
RivahFest Idol
Clowns
Da Vinci Code Trail
Kids Games
Face Painting
Caricature
Puppet Show
Balloons
Kids Rides
Artists
Food Vendors
House Tour
Web page last updated: June 8, 2008
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