Salisbury's Riverfest: Everything to know about the fun event coming to downtown

Olivia Minzola, Salisbury Daily Times
·4 min read

Join the city of Salisbury for a day of relaxation and recreation along the Wicomico River at the second annual Salisbury Riverfest.

The free event, taking place on July 29, will celebrate the river with games, activities, rubber duck races, food, beer, art and a Wacky River Races kayak obstacle course. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming, family-friendly festival.

Where & when is the event being held?

Salisbury's second annual Riverfest will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, along the Wicomico River, which runs through Downtown Salisbury. Head to the Riverfest website for a map of the festival grounds.

Attendees are more than welcome to bring their own stand-up paddle boards. A handful of environmental and educational organizations will be offering activities. These include:

  • Wor-Wic Community College

  • Poplar Hill Mansion

  • Salisbury Zoo

  • Wicomico Environmental Trust

  • Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake

  • Lower Shore Land Trust

  • Bressman Invasive Fish Lab, Salisbury University

  • Wicomico Public Library

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Will there be food & vendors on-site?

What's a festival without delicious snacks and vibrant vendors? There will be a wide array of food, craft and educational vendors on-site throughout the entirety of the event.

FOOD/DRINK VENDORS:

  • The Hook Up – Caribbean and more

  • The Tiki Hut – Shaved ice

  • Beer Barn – Beer for sale at the Beer Barn in the Riverwalk Games Park

CRAFT/ART VENDORS:

  • Nadine Moreno

  • WISE (Crafts)

  • Wood Creations by Randy

  • Nettie’s beauty boutique

  • Omosebi Jewelry Designs

  • Blackwood Studios

  • Jason Griswold

  • Pedro Mule

  • Watercolor con Amor

  • Handmade On The Homestead

  • Marvelous Creations by Madonna

  • Mystic Herbs Shop

  • BayBees Honey

  • Crystal River Soaps

  • OddTings

  • Mothman Custom Rods

  • Breathe Interiors

  • LVondredi Boutique

  • Krave. A Gluten Free Shoppe

  • Samantha’s Ink

  • That’s Sew Cool Bags

  • Crowbirdie Miniatures

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What is the schedule of events?

Cornhole and Bocce were setup to play in the Riverwalk Games Park Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Salisbury, Maryland.
Cornhole and Bocce were setup to play in the Riverwalk Games Park Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Salisbury, Maryland.

From kayaking to rubber duck races to dunk tanks, Salisbury Riverfest has it all. Take a look at the following family-friendly activities which are set to take place throughout this year's festival.

KAYAKING:

  • The event will take place between 3-4 p.m. and after the rubber duck race

  • Tandem kayaks will be available to rent for free during this time.

  • Participants must be at least age 8 with an adult.

ABC DUNK-A-THON:

  • The event will take place starting at 3:30 p.m.

  • Sign up for a 15-minute time slot and invite your friends, coworkers and loved ones to dunk you over and over again.

  • Don’t want to get in the tank? Support Arts, Business & Culture Department community events by trying to dunk someone in the tank. Participants can choose three balls for $5, seven balls for $10, or walk up and push the button for $20

WACKY RIVER RACES – TANDEM KAYAK RACE

  • The event will take place starting at 4 p.m.

  • Bob and weave your way through an array of fun obstacles. This is a tandem kayak race that’s amusing for the whole family. There will be awards for winners. Kayaks, paddles and life jackets will be available.

  • Free to participate. Register on-site at the launch pad across the river from the Wicomico Public Library.

  • Tandem pair must include an adult age 18 or older, and participants must be 10 and older to participate.

KIND SBY RUBBER DUCK RACE

  • The event will take place starting at 5 p.m.

  • Support Kind SBY by purchasing a duck for $1 and rooting it on in the Rubber Duck Race.

Can I volunteer?

Volunteers are needed for the festival.

The city could use volunteers for things such as helping with the dunk tank, getting people into or out of kayaks, and pouring beer. Those interested in volunteering may email Local Manager Caroline O'Hare at cohare@salisbury.md to express their interest and availability.

Kayaks were setup next to the Riverwalk Games Park for people to use for free Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Salisbury, Maryland.
Kayaks were setup next to the Riverwalk Games Park for people to use for free Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Salisbury, Maryland.

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What is the weather forecast?

Get your umbrellas ready and keep an eye on the sky this Saturday, for there's a small chance the Salisbury Riverfest may be pushed back another day due to incoming rain. The rain date for this year's festival is Sunday, July 30.

The Weather Channel is calling for mostly sunny skies during the morning hours of Saturday, July 29. However, scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop in the afternoon, with a chance of rain at 50%. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 97 degrees Fahrenheit, with winds blowing WSW at 10 to 20 mph.

Later that same day, partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms are expected before midnight, with a chance of rain at 50%. Temperatures are expected to drop to a low of 74 degrees Fahrenheit, with winds blowing WNW at 10 to 15 mph.

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Everything to know about the 2023 Salisbury Riverfest