Arts festival on the Big Eddy offers fun amid breathtaking scenery

NARROWSBURG, N.Y. — With summer in full force, it must be time for the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance’s annual Riverfest, a celebration of music, art, and ecology.
This free event will take place amid the breathtaking scenery of the Upper Delaware's Big Eddy (the deepest part of the Delaware, the star of the annual celebration) on Sunday, July 22, from 10 a.m .to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Spanning Narrowsburg, N.Y.’s Main Street from Bridge Street to 5th Street, booths will feature the works of local artisans, live music, kids activities, and much more.
Admission is free. For more information call 845-252-7576 or visit DelawareValleyArtsAlliance.org.
HighlightsHere are the highlights:
River Dogs on Parade — The day starts off at 10 a.m. with the return of “River Dogs on Parade.” Emcee Kevin McDonough will provide colorful commentary during this “don’t miss opportunity” for your pups to strut their stuff before a panel of judges and a jubilant crowd. Register your dog for $10 in advance by calling the DVAA at 845-252-7576, or sign up the morning of Riverfest in front of Narrowsburg Feed and Grain starting at 9 a.m.
Fine arts and refreshment — This year’s Riverfest will feature more than 40 artists' booths, seven information booths, a Kids Korner (including face painting by Joyce Prince), and a food court. Artisan booths include handcrafts in wood, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and stone, and fine art mediums of photography, sculpture, and painting. Along with many long-standing favorites returning to Main Street will be a number of new artists and crafters, including: Buck Brook Alpaca’s fiber-based products including rugs, socks, bears and more; original mixed-media animal drawings by Karen Flood; Barn Lab’s goat milk soaps and house-ware products; hand-crocheted sculptural jewelry and clothing by Vixen Vice Wearable Art; and breath-taking henna applications by Emma Switko.
'Riverfest Village' — In light of the building fire, which took place this May in Rassmussen’s Furniture Store, the DVAA has created “Riverfest Village,” a clustered section of vendor booths capped off by a pop-up version of Pinks Restaurant, which will be serving tacos. At around noon, Riverfest attendees will be able to experience a special performance by NACL’s stilt-walkers.
Signed books for sale — Book lovers will meet local authors selling their signed-copies of their books, including Lindsay Barrett George, Patricia Thomas, Kim Briggs, and Gayle Krause.
Environmental stewards — Riverfest also provides visitors with a chance to learn more about some of the many great environmental and service organizations in our community. Joining us in 2018 will be WJFF Radio, The National Park Service, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, and Catskill Regional Medical Center, among others, who will all have information and interactive offerings in their booths.
Poster auction — The Riverfest Poster Auction, the centerpiece of the day’s events, takes place at 12:30 p.m. on the main stage. More than five dozen original, one-of-a-kind posters created by local artists will be sold in a live public auction to the highest bidder. Auctioneer Tony Staffieri will get the bidding going. Artworks will be on display in DVAA’s gallery window. You be able to preview the works online and place bids on pieces in advance of the live sale. For more information go to delawarevalleyartsalliance.org. Proceeds support DVAA’s programs in the visual arts.
Main Stage Concerts — Live music will fill the street throughout the day. In the morning, enjoy the traditional, folk, bluegrass, and reggae sounds of the Sara Hulse Band from 10:30 a.m. noon. Following the poster auction, The Electric Chords will regale audiences with their groovy twist on rock music mixed with heavy blues and jazz influences, from 2 to 4 p.m. Both bands will perform on the Main Stage.
Food — Along with Pink Restaurant’s pop-up, visitors will be able to enjoy a range of delicacies and inventive treats at the food court near the Wayne Bank, ranging from healthy treats including DVAA’s famous sesame noodles and tabbouleh salad to savory bites including bacon on a stick and griddled hand-cut fries pomme frite style by first time Riverfest participants Faux Farms. Classic street fair favorites will also be provided by Luigi’s and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. For those seeking to satisfy their sweet tooth, don’t miss B-Line Ice cream, Organic Fairy Floss, and Corrente’s Italian ice. Plus Narrowsburg’s spectacular restaurants will be open for business throughout the day.
Free Wi-Fi — Frontier Communications provides free Wi-Fi hot spots throughout Main St. for visitors and vendors alike. Look for the Wi-Fi networks “FrontierCommunications-FreeWiFi."
Parking — Ample free parking can be found at the Fireman’s field/ball field on DeMauro Lane. A complimentary shuttle service from the parking area to the Tusten Theatre will be provided again this year with assistance from First Student.
Riverfest is presented by Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and sponsored by Catskill Regional Medical Center.