Sorry... no DOGS are permitted in the RivahFest area... for the safety and convenience of all visitors - RESTRICTIONS
RivahFest 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Download the Festival Schedule 
Click here to view short RivahFest videos
RUBBER DUCKS TICKETS - CLICK HERE
Visitors - Send us your evaluation and feedback
Vendors - We need your evaluation and feedback
Welcome from Katherine Newman & Libbie Franklin, Co-Chairs
Check out RivahFest 2010 Photo Gallery
Welcome to the Tappahannock-Essex County RivahFest 2010, a fun community festival that will be held in downtown Tappahannock Prince Street on June 19, 2010. RivahFest 2010 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 19 event. And the best news of all is that entry to the RivahFest 2010 area is FREE - only a small charge for children's rides, and of course for food and drink.
“Tappahannock deserves a great festival,” said 2009 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 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 Band of Oz and supported by Southern Tide a local Virginia band and . Both bands feature between 8 to 10 musicians that will add to the flavor of these legendary bands for their first performance at RivahFest.
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, 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 (Terry Brooks or Marsha Wadsworth 888-973-4443 ), “Taste of Tappahannock” food court (Bruce Thomas 804-443-4343), and Farmer’s Market and Merchant’s Row have been combined into “Merchant’s Market” (Libbie Franklin or Sharon James at 888-973-4443 ). 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.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 Glenn Morse, Jeff James, Joey Reinhardt, Thomas Bradshaw, Sharon James, Terry Brooks, David Broad and 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; Rebecca Hubert & Glenn Morse, Sponsorship; David Broad, Rubber Ducks & Website; Joey Reinhardt, Publications; Bruce Thomas, Taste of Tappahannock; Jeff James, Maritime Area; Annette Coleman, Children’s Activities; George and Sandy Longest, Entertainment; Libbie Franklin and Sharon James, Merchant's Market and Merchant's Market; Liz Martin, RivahFest Idol ; Suzanne Rennolds, Treasures of Tappahannock Tour; Peyton Guest, Antique Car Show; and Pat and Liz Martin, Beer and Wine Garden. 
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 Glenn Morse at 804-761-3638 or 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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