Official Press Release for RiverFest 2010

Asheville Radio Group and Riverlink team up to “Save the French Broad” with RiverFest 2010


RiverFest 2010 offers Western North Carolina a chance to celebrate summer in its own back yard playground, the French Broad River. The event, fondly known as RiverFest: Save The French Broad is now in its fourth consecutive year. It is a fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds going to fund RiverLink’s efforts to save the French Broad. RiverFest offers an afternoon of music, food, beer, art, and other fun activities. Sponsored by 98.1 the River, Prestige Subaru, Greenlife Grocery and Yuengling Brewery, it’s all free to the public, taking place on Saturday, August 14 at French Broad River Park in Asheville.

There's something for everyone at RiverFest: a raft race, kids' parade, Music Showcase & Competition, food from local eateries, beer, vendors, exciting arts performances and fun recreational activities. All proceeds will support RiverLink's efforts to make the French Broad River watershed a place to live, work and play. Last year’s event earned $8,000 that RiverLink used to continue its work on area greenways, conservation and education programs.

Register now for the “Anything that Floats” raft competition with chances to win great prizes including a Diamond Brand boat for grand prize, $100 Diamond Brand Gift Certificate for 2nd Place and $50 Diamond Brand Gift Certificate for 3rd place. Local celebrity judges will select winners based upon raft creativity and ingenuity. Raft registration is only $15 per raft and non-profits can raft for free if they launch at 11am. Pre-registration ends Wednesday, August 11, and registration forms are available at www.riverlink.org.

For those who wish to join the floating parade down the river but do not have time to construct a raft, The Asheville Outdoor Center (AOC) will offer canoes and other types of boats and tubes for rent. Interested parties should go to the AOC at 521 Amboy Road, just upstream from Carrier Park. Leaving your car there, a shuttle will take you to Hominy Creek for put-in and pick you up at the festival later and bring you back to your car at the AOC Canoe rentals are $15, with $5 of each rental going to benefit RiverLink.

The Kids' Parade begins at 12:15. Kids can win fun prizes for most creative costume in different age categories. Registration for the parade begins at noon when festival opens. The kids' area will also feature free face painting, a fun river-themed art project, hula-hooping with MelMacPink and more.

Sixteen bands entered our Music Showcase & Competition, and four will be invited to play on the mainstage during the festival. Those four local acts will be decided by a vote by River 98.1 FM listeners. See www.981theriver.com for details. Headlining the musical entertainment will be The Ralph Roddenbery Band. This Georgia-based foursome offering a dynamic blend of Americana and roots rock with a twist of the blues is scheduled to take the mainstage at 5 p.m.

In between music acts, our second stage will feature talented Asheville artists including the Southern Appalachian Cloggers, Baraka Mundi World Spirit belly dancers, Asheville Dance Revolution and Asheville Aerial Arts trapeze artists. Tasty treats will be available from Luella's BBQ, Ultimate Ice Cream, Blue Daisy Café, Carolina Bison, Bojangles, and Cakes By John. America's oldest brewery, Yuengling, will be providing beer sales.

Riverfest also offers an opportunity to purchase your Save the French Broad River Raffle ticket. We will be pulling the winning ticket for the August Prize Package, which includes an Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest Hammock, an Ex Officio Women’s Go-To® Sleeveless Dress, two Nantahala Outdoor Center rafting passes, a $25 gift card and Kleen Kanteen water bottle from Mast General Store, and more -- $512 in prizes altogether. Raffle tickets are only $5 each or three for $10 and tickets stay "in the hat" for all remaining monthly drawings from now through our grand prize drawing in March 2011.

All the entertainers are donating their talents to help RiverLink’s efforts to save the French Broad – so we say a big thanks.

For more RiverFest: Save The French Broad information including boat registration, parking and schedule of events, please go to www.981theriver.com or www.riverlink.org.