Don't miss this finale: Riverfest is coming to an end in Clarksville after three decades
Clarksville's longest community festival is coming to an end after 35 years.
In Clarksville, the weekend after Labor Day has been known as time to go to McGregor Park and enjoy live music and vendors for over three decades. But after this year, it will mean finding a new tradition.
Earlier this month, the Parks and Recreation Department announced that this year's Riverfest on Sept. 9 - 10 will be the finale.
“This is the final Riverfest with a great selection of offerings for the community to enjoy,” Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said. “We warmly invite the community to come together, and also make it the best Riverfest ever. And be encouraged in knowing that the festival scene in Clarksville has a very bright future.”
What will be next? The city isn't sure yet, but they are asking for the public to fill out a survey to get their opinions.
What is Riverfest?
The first Riverfest was held in 1988 at the fairgrounds, according to Theresa Harrington, who worked at the Parks and Recreation department at the time.
The first year of Riverfest centered around arts and crafts after the Parks and Rec received a grant. After the success of that year, they began planning for the next year.
The second year of the festival featured a Duck Race. Participants paid a dollar for a plastic duck, and then all the ducks were dropped over a bridge. The winners received skis, lifejackets and more. The third year, Riverfest was moved to the Cumberland Riverwalk.
Over the years, Riverfest events have included the Queen of Clarksville at the Riverboat, a Thursday night reception to kick off the weekend, an area for kids, fireworks, the Regatta cardboard boat race and, of course, the live music.
"The great thing about the festival is the whole community came together as volunteers to help," Harrington said. "You can't have an event like that without volunteers being a part of it."
In 2020, the 32nd annual Riverfest looked a little different because of COVID. Instead of just a week, in-person and virtual events were held from Sept. 1-12. New events that year were a virtual talent competition, drive-in fireworks and a virtual 5K.
In 2021, the numbers of COVID cases and hospitalizations were so high that Riverfest was canceled, making this year the 35th year, but 34th Riverfest.
"Riverfest has done great things over the 35 years. I know this is its last year, but I'm sure the parks department will come back and do something differently," Harrington said.
What's there to do at the Sept. 9 - 10 event?
Riverfest is known for its live music, but that's not all there is to do during the two weeks. This year, there will be over 50 artisans showcasing their work and over 10 various food vendors. A hand-crafted beer selection will be provided from The Blackhorse Pub & Brewery.
For children, Riverfest will have activities provided by Fort Campbell, Waterdogs Scuba and Safety, Google, Artlink and Pony Pals Party Ponies. From scuba diving lessons to interactive workshops,
A spotlight on Austin Peay
One of this year's stages is sponsored by Austin Peay State University. Performers at the APSU stage include students, professors and community members.
This is the first time APSU has had a stage at Riverfest. The performance will be a chance for the College of the Art and Letters Department and Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts- Community School of the Arts to showcase all that they do, which might be more than what people know of.
"We're excited for this opportunity to do something involved with the community to showcase everything that we offer in our college and provide our students an experience to perform on the local stage here in Clarksville," said director of communications for the College of Arts and Letters Kara Zahn.
The headliners this year are Broadway stars and APSU professors Deonté L. Warren, who starred in “Aladdin” and "Wicked" Victoria Fowler.
Along with the stage, APSU is providing free activities:
Painting class with Department of Art + Design alumna Sarah Spillers
Printmaking with Department of Art + Design professor Patrick Vincent
Instrument petting zoo with professors and students from the music education program
Who's performing?
This year, there will be two stages full of performers: the Publix stage and the Austin Peay State University stage with performances beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Publix Stage
Performances at the Publix stage, also known as the main stage, will start at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, with the headliner going on at 10:45 p.m.
Here's what to expect:
12:30 p.m.- 1:15 — Seth Sherley-Philomuse
1:45- 2:30 — J.J. Hankins and Garrett Seay - The 1980
3- 3:45 — Harold Dawson
4:15- 5 — Odiss Kohn
5:30- 6:15 — Herrick
6:45- 7:30 — Dusty Leigh Huston
8:45-9:30 — Ryan Griffin
9:45-10:30 — Tyler Rich
10:45-11:45 — Little Texas
On Sunday, performances go from noon until 6 p.m. Here's the schedule:
Noon- 1:00 p.m. — Col. James - The Stable
1:30- 2:30 — Nicholas Edward Williams
3- 4 — Lawson Harris
5- 6 — Haven Madison
“I can’t think of a better, or more fitting way to cap off our long history of Riverfest headliners, than by showcasing one of our own Clarksville products, Haven Madison,” said Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts in an announcement Friday. “She has really captured the nation’s attention, and represents Clarksville so well as a quality individual, as well as a multi-talented singer and songwriter.”
APSU Stage
APSU's stage will be in the middle of the Cumberland Riverwalk. On Saturday, performers will hit the stage from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Here's the schedule:
11 a.m.- 11:15 — Dance Force of Clarksville
11:15- 11:30 — CAST & Crowns Performing Arts Center
11:30- 11:45 Acros Dance Express
11:45- Noon — Natalie's Dance Network
Noon- 12:30 p.m. — Spoken Word by APSU Professor Stephanie Dugger
12:30- 1 — Heads Against a Flower by APSU Music Students & Alumni
1- 1:30 — Spoken Word by APSU Professor Raymond Deeren
1:30- 1:45 — Dynamic Dollz
2- 2:30 — Nashville Front Disco by APSU Music Students & Alumni
2:30- 3:30 — 101st Airborne Division "Air Assault" Screaming Eagles Rock Band
3:45- 4:30 — LIVE Govs on the Go Podcase - David Alford, a.k.a. Bucky Dawes from Nashville
4:30- 5:30 — Jeff Stout- Legacy
5:30- 6 — APSU Student Cabaret
6-7 — Cliff Berlik - Deondra & 46 Story
7-8 — Music by Deonte Warren and Victoria Fowler
On Sunday, performances will go from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Here's who you can expect to see:
11 a.m.- Noon — Daryl McCarthy- Vudu Childe
12:30- 1:30 — Michael Bellamy- The String Unit
2-3 — Herman Outar - Full Circle
3:30- 4:30 — Shelby Lee Lowe
Reporter Kenya Anderson can be reached at kanderson@nashvill.gannett.com or on X at KenyaAnderson32.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Riverfest is coming to an end after three decades on Sept 9 - 10
