RiverFest: Fire on the River

By Lauren Richwine, Communications Specialist

Fans of summer festivals now have a new event to mark down on their calendars. IPFW Riverfest will take place this year on Saturday, June 26, from 9 a.m. until midnight at the IPFW campus. And yes, there will be fire on the river. Rockin’ the River, which will take place from 4 p.m. to midnight, will include performances from multiple musical groups, flaming cauldrons of fire, and fireworks which will be set off from a barge anchored in the middle of the river.

Not to worry, the day will hold plenty of family fun as well. The event, as presented by Steel Dynamics (the event’s title sponsor for the first three years) will celebrate the city’s most prominent natural resource: our rivers. Family friendly events will include a 4K walk/run designed for families, a FamilyFest area with interactive games for everyone, and live entertainment. A fine art competition, The Rivers and Bridges of Northeast Indiana, and a fine arts and crafts sale will feature artists from around the region. There will also be river rides, educational river walks, and much more. A variety of concession stands will offer food throughout the day and evening, when adult beverages will also be available.

Irene Walters, executive director of university relations and communications at IPFW, recipient of the 2010 ATHENA Award, and director of IPFW RiverFest 2010, said the river itself will be an integral part of the days’ activities. “There will be fun activities for everyone throughout the day,” said Walters. “We’ll have flat water races with kayaks and canoes, a water ski show, pontoon boat rides, and much more.” She encouraged all pontoon boat owners to decorate their boats, bring them down to the river, and join the party.

There’s even been an online competition established that will extend an invitation to play at RiverFest to one lucky group. Any band that wants to play at IPFW RiverFest 2010 can enter the contest by submitting an MP3 or video recording from now through April 26.  Beginning May 1, the public can begin voting for their favorite band by going to www.ipfwriverfest.org/bandcontest. Voting concludes at midnight, May 14, 2010. The band with the most votes will be invited to perform at IPFW RiverFest 2010.

“There’s going to be something for everyone to enjoy here at the river, and along the way, if you learn something about our rivers and how to protect and preserve them, then I think we can say we’ll have a very successful event,” said Chancelor Wartell. 

For more information on IPFW RiverFest 2010 or how you can get involved, contact Louise Teague, IPFW RiverFest 2010 coordinator, at 260-481-6495 or teaguel@ipfw.edu or go to www.ipfwriverfest.org.