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Sorry... no DOGS are permitted in the RivahFest area... for the safety and convenience of all visitors - RESTRICTIONS
RivahFest 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Check Times of each Activity Here
Download the Festival Schedule 
Click here to view short RivahFest videos
*** RUBBER DUCK TICKETS $1000 Cash Prize***
Welcome from Katherine Newman & Libbie Franklin, Co-Chairs
Check out RivahFest 2010 Photo Gallery
Welcome to the Tappahannock-Essex County RivahFest 2012, a fun community festival that will be held in downtown Tappahannock Prince Street on June 16, 2012. RivahFest 2012 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 16 event. And the best news of all is that entry to the RivahFest 2012 area is FREE - only a small charge for children's rides, and of course for food and drink.
“Tappahannock deserves a great festival,” said 2012 Steering Committee Co-Chair Katherine Newman. “It’s not only a source of community pride, it also promotes tourism and economic development.”Back by popular demand this year are a huge Arts, Crafts and Antiques section, Children’s Activities area, an expanded Merchants' 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 and the Mystic Soul Bubbas. This band features between 8 to 10 musicians that will add to the flavor of these legendary bands for their repeat performance at RivahFest. Opening the day will be Susan Greenbaum, followed by popular returning band Flashback.
There’s also a Maritime Area with boat displays and other nautical activities, an even bigger Antique Car display bringing car clubs from the Northern Neck and from the Richmond area, 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. New this year, the Tappahannock-Essex Volunteer Fire dept will host a 8:00 am early morning 5K Run at the Airport Road firehouse - registration is online or on RivahFest morning starting at 7:30 am - check the RivahFest TEVFD 5K Run details.RivahFest offers merchants and community groups an outstanding opportunity to gain visibility, make sales or raise money, Katherine Newman noted. “Merchant’s Market” 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 (804-445-2065), “Taste of Tappahannock” food court (Kristen Morris 804-443-4343), and “Merchant’s Market” (804-445-2065). 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. Starting again 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.RivahFest benefits from support by a score of local businesses that have encouraged their employees to serve on festival committees. In addition to Co-Chairs Katherine Newman & Libbie Franklin, Steering Committee members are Jeff James, Joey Reinhardt, Thomas Bradshaw, Kevin Dolan, Sharon James, Terry Brooks, Kristin Morris, Rebecca Hubert, David Broad and Treasurer John Clickener.
Additional committee chairs include Terry Brooks & Tiffany Bradshaw, Arts and Crafts; Phil Stinchcomb, Logistics and Safety; Katherine Newman, Promotions and Advertising; Rebecca Hubert, Sponsorship; David Broad, Rubber Ducks & Website; Joey Reinhardt, Publications; Bruce Thomas & Kristen Morris, Taste of Tappahannock; Jeff James, Maritime Area; Annette Coleman, Children’s Activities; Tom Bradshaw, George and Sandy Longest, Entertainment; Libbie Franklin and Sharon James, Merchant's Market; Liz Martin, RivahFest Idol; Priscilla Vaughan, Treasures of Tappahannock Tour; Peyton Guest, Antique Car Show; Pat and Liz Martin, Beer and Wine Garden, Corey Beazley, Safety and Security. 
The Rappahannock River Rubber Duck Race will be your chance to win $1,000 first prize, $500 second prize, or $250 third prize in Tappahannock Rivahfest first time event on the river. The race kick-off is 3 pm and you can watch the ducks battle wind and tide along the banks of the Rappahannock from St. Margaret's campus on Water Lane. Over 2,000 ducks will be in the running, uh, paddling... so get your tickets (PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Amex) from the Essex County Little League or online by clicking this link. A portion of the sales goes directly back to the Community as grants so you are making a contribution and at the same time raising your chances to win the $1,000 and other cash prize.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 Rebecca Hubert 804-443-8162
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
Rubber Duck Race
Kids Games
Face Painting
Caricature
Puppet Show
Balloons
Kids Rides
Artists
Food Vendors
House Tour
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