Press Releases

Preparations for River Fest Flow Smoothly

Posted on June 2011 by karl

June 17, 2011

Times-Leader

Bill O’Boyle

The floating docks are in place for the dragon boat teams, the sediment has been removed from the boat launch and the river level is expected to be at an optimum depth.

And as long as the weather cooperates, RiverFest 2011 will be off and running today, continuing through Sunday.

“We’re in good shape,” said Vince Cotrone, RiverFest coordinator. “The docks are floating and they’re not heading toward Berwick. Everything is coming together.”

On Thursday, volunteers were busy getting both sides of the Susquehanna River ready for the three-day festival of music, fun and racing. Tents were going up to house vendors and displays, and the stage for music acts will be erected this morning at Millennium Circle in the River Common.

“We owe everything to our volunteers and partners,” Cotrone said while helping to clear sediment off of the boat launch. “Volunteers make it all work. If it weren’t for them, we could never pull this off.”

Jim Brozena, executive director of the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority, said recent high water levels left a lot of sediment and debris on the boat launch in Nesbitt Park, but it will be ready for today’s start of RiverFest.

Angela Gavlick, who is coordinating the volunteer effort, said more than 50 people will come out to assist with traffic control, set up and tear down the tents, clean up at the end of each day, assist with children’s activities, assist kayakers, sell tickets, assist vendors and man the information booth.

Gavlick said the volunteers were recruited by word of mouth, friends, posters, Facebook, past volunteers, advertisements and family members.

“Without volunteers, the event would not be able to grow and draw such large crowds,” Gavlick said. “Volunteers are instrumental in the success of this family-oriented river event.”

Gavlick’s husband, Norm, a commissioner with the state Fish and Boat Commission, will be on the water helping with the dragon boats. He also helped procure the floating docks.

John Maday, of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, said two 40-foot dragon boats will arrive in the city this afternoon and will be on display tonight at the opening festivities.

Jill Price, coordinating the dragon boat races, said eight teams, each with 21 members, will participate. The teams will practice Saturday at assigned times and the racing will be on Sunday.

She said awards will be given for three categories: first-place finish, best drummer costume and best team spirit.

“Since dragon boat racing is all about fun and friendly competition, we are hoping to see a lot of team unity and some fun/interesting costumes on the drummers,” Price said.

Participating teams are: GUARD Insurance, City of Wilkes-Barre, PA Water, Entercom, General Hospital, Luzerne County, The Times Leader and PNC Bank.

“Our dragon boat team is a combination of GUARD employees and their friends,” said Elaine Sola, who organized the team for GUARD. “Initially, I worried about finding enough people to compete but within a few days of sending an email to home office employees, we quickly assembled a team that is very excited about participating in this new event. We even have a waiting list of potential rowers in case someone has to drop out at the last minute.”

Karl Borton Jr., director of River Common Programming and Outreach, said RiverFest is one of Wilkes-Barre’s largest festivals, drawing 5,000-plus annual participants.

“It’s an event where you could kayak the river, participate in fun activities and see some of the most talented musicians, artists, and entertainers on the East Coast,” Borton said. “And all in three short days.”

RiverFest Schedule for the WeekendDragon Boat Practice TimesWeather Forecast Today

Wilkes-Barre River Common – Millennium Circle Portal, 5 to 9 p.m.

Evening by the River: Live Music on the River: George Wesley, Don Shappelle & the Pickups, Post Junction and MiZ, free fishing, children’s arts activities, dragon boats on display, paint a community mural, join the Third Friday Arts Walk, or paddle from West Pittston to Wilkes-Barre.

Saturday

Nesbitt Park: noon to 5 p.m.

* Live music by Don Shappelle, Kriki and K8

* Food, fun and activities for all ages

* Pony Rides: Woodland Stables, 1 to 4 p.m.

* Moon bounce & kids tree climb

* Kayaking demonstrations/rentals 4 to 7 p.m.

* Dragon boat training, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Conservation exhibits

* Paint the children’s mural

* Pest or Guest & Predator/Prey – PSU Master Gardeners

* Guided nature hikes – W-B Riverfront Parks Com.

* Bike safety: Free kids helmets, Wilkes-Barre Health Department

* The Lands at Hillside Farm animals

* A Closer Look at Backyard Mammals: Second Chance Wildlife Center, 1:30 p.m.

* Live birds of prey program by Carbon County Environmental Education Center, 3:30 p.m.

Concerts on the Common

* 6 p.m., Without Walls Dance Company

* 6:30 p.m., Eddie Day and the Star Fires

Sunday at River Common

* Dragon boat racing, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Family fishing program, noon to 3 p.m.

* Sojourn to Hunlock Creek

* Children’s activities

Practice times Saturday are:

* 11 a.m. — PA Water and PNC

* Noon – The GUARD and Wilkes-Barre City

* 1 p.m. – The Times Leader and Entercom

* 2 p.m. – Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and Luzerne County

Temperatures are predicted to be around 80 degrees each day of RiverFest. Showers could occur this evening. The Susquehanna River level was at 3.8 feet on Friday afternoon and should be around 3 feet through the weekend.

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