Sternwheelers with barges attached are ready to haul passengers up the Kanawha River during St. The free rides are scheduled at 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 p.m.
, on Saturday. The annual celebration will begin today and continue through Sunday. Riverfest in St.
Albans will feature a former member of the Harlem Globetrotters, gospel, rock and country musicians and food galore. The event opens today with country music performances featuring Brynn Marie, Steven Salyers and Restless Heart. The free concert starts at 7 p.
m. The festival continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Helen Warren, a charter member of the Riverfest board of directors, said the family-oriented festival will have something for everyone.
"We're going to give away 1,000 basketballs to kids on Saturday afternoon," she said. "Archie Talley, a former Globetrotter, will give demonstrations and talk to the kids at 2:30 p.m.
Food vendors will be offering a variety of treats beginning at 5 p.m. today and Friday, 11 a.
m. Saturday, and noon Sunday. "We've got some wonderful groups who are doing food for us this year," Warren said.
"The Lions Club will be here again as will various church groups and band sponsors." Children from 3 to 10 will have a chance to win prizes at the kid's tractor pull at 4 p.m.
Kids will get to pedal the toy tractor and trailer to the finish line to win a trophy. "But the more they peddle, the harder it will become," Warren said. "As they move forward, the weights in the tractor will seem to get heavier and heavier.
" Riverfest is also loaded with musical entertainment throughout the weekend with a stage at Roadside Park. The stage is set for festival seating so remember to bring a lawn chair. It will be Oldies Night beginning at 7 p.
m. Friday with Catch a Wave, the Esquires and the Legends. More country music will be featured at 7 p.
m. Saturday with Crawdad Smoothie, Tommy Griffith and Audio Outlaws and T. Gospel music will be featured on Sunday beginning at 5:10 p.
m. with Vernon Larrabee, New Creations, Justified, Jay Humphries Trio, Charlton Jordan, Tony Gore, the Freemans and Michael Combs. Other activities include a 5K run/walk around the loop area of St.
Albans at 8 a.m. Saturday, and XMCW Professional Wrestling at 4 p.
m. Friday and Saturday. The Riverfest Parade will begin at 11 a.
m. Saturday at St. Francis Catholic Church and end at the Loop.
The Rubber Ducky Race will be a drawing this year, instead of a race on the river. Tickets are $5 each and are available on site. "The highlight of the festival has always been our fireworks," said Warren.
"We're pleased to have C O Motors again sponsor the event which will start at 9:15 or so Saturday at the park. "We want Riverfest to be a family-friendly event," she added. "There will be no alcohol served and if you're caught with it, the police will escort you out.
We want everyone who attends to feel safe and to have fun." Contact writer Mary Childress at maryc@dailymail.com or 348-4886.
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