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Skowhegan River Fest
July 31 - August 3
Designed to showcase the potential of the Kennebec River Gorge as the future home of the Skowhegan River Park, River Fest is Skowhegan’s annual multi-day celebration of recreation and life on the Kennebec.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31
Glowstick Paddle
Meet at 7 p.m. | Cleaver Landing Boat Launch
Join Skowhegan Outdoors at Cleaver Landing for the River Fest Glow Stick Paddle 2024! Bring glow sticks to light up your watercraft while paddling down the Kennebec. We will launch at 7:30 p.m., so arrive early to decorate your boats! Register here
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1
Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County Fundraiser
7 a.m.- 4 p.m. | Joe’s Flat Iron Cafe
Visit Joe’s Flat Iron Cafe on Thursday, August 1st to enter into a raffle for seven different prizes and sign up to win a special door prize: a basket full of locally sourced products valued at $75. Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 per ticket.
Additionally, Joe’s Flat Iron Cafe will be serving a specialty drink for the month of August. $1 from every purchase of this drink will be donated to the Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County.
Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament
9 a.m. | Lakewood Golf Course
Hosted by the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce, this annual golf tournament can’t be missed. Registration includes one round of 18 holes, one ticket for a lobster dinner, and one player’s portion of a cart.
Mickey Powers Memorial Lobster Bake
11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Municipal Lot next to Chamber of Commerce
Join the Rotary Club for their annual lobster bake and to honor former Rotarian and friend, Mickey Powers. Each dinner includes corn on the cob, a roll, butter, and a Bankery cookie. Proceeds support Skowhegan Rotary Club’s charitable giving in the Central Maine area.
To guarantee your lobster dinner, tickets can be ordered by calling (207) 474-3324, online through this link,
or by stopping by Mills, Shay, Lexier & Talbot, P.A. 263 Water Street, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
There will be a select number of lobster dinners available the day of the event, but they will be limited to first come, first served.
Thirsty Thursday Trivia
6 p.m. | Bigelow Brewing
Test your knowledge with Tyler! The tasting room will be open 4-8 p.m.
Skowhegan River Fest Parade
6 p.m. | Downtown Skowhegan
The 2nd Annual River Fest parade will celebrate life on the Kennebec River. Join us along Water Street to celebrate Skowhegan!
Maine Outdoor Film Festival Screening
8 p.m. (Doors at 7 p.m.) | Riverfront Greenspace (behind 151 Water St.)
Presented by MOFF and Skowhegan Outdoors for your viewing pleasure. Visit Maine Outdoor Film Festival’s website for more information!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2
Inflatable Kayaking through the Skowhegan Gorge
10 a.m.- 3 p.m. | Skowhegan Gorge (Meet at Basecamp, 65 Water St.)
Join the Skowhegan Outdoors team for a float through the gorge on an inflatable kayak (called a ducky). We will run these trips in groups of 6 at the top of the hour. Register here
Moonlight Madness
5-9 p.m. | Downtown Skowhegan
We have several activities planned for River Fest’s annual street party! Check them out below…
Concessions
Dunk Tank sponsored by Computer Improvements
Bounce House sponsored by Joe’s Flat Iron Cafe
Climbing Wall
Axe Throwing
Makers Market – Applications OPEN!
Live Music – Six Wayz to Sunday & Middle Ground will be rocking the riverfront lot
Beer Gardens at Unwined & Old Mill Pub
Chainsaw Carving
Bed Races sponsored by Key Appliance
Top Hat School of Dance Performance | 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3
Move More Kids 5K FUN Run, Walk, Race
Coburn Park
See below for the 5K run schedule and additional details:
Registration Time: 7:15 a.m.
Move More Kids Youth Run Start Time (for age 7 and younger): 8:00 a.m.
Move More Kids 5k FUN Run/Walk Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
Entry Fee: $5.00 for 5K FUN Run/Walk (CASH ONLY)
Proceeds to benefit the Canaan Food Pantry
Pre-Register through this link.
** Please pre-register one person at a time
T-shirts available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
First place for male and female participants will receive a $25.00 New Balance gift card.
Inflatable Kayaking through the Skowhegan Gorge
10 a.m.- 3 p.m. | Skowhegan Gorge (Meet at Basecamp, 65 Water St.)
Join the Skowhegan Outdoors team for a float through the gorge on an inflatable kayak (called a ducky). We will run these trips in groups of 6 at the top of the hour. Register here
Vintage Fashion Pop-Up – Organized by LeeBeeVintage
10 a.m.- 4p.m. | Joe’s Flat Iron Café
Lee Bee Vintage and Joe’s Flat Iron Café are collaborating again to bring vintage fashion and delicious sips to downtown Skowhegan!
River Days Celebration
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Downtown Skowhegan
Bring the kids out for family activities! Activities will include:
Axe Throwing
Climbing Wall
New Balance Bike Trailer
Tessier Farm Petting Zoo sponsored by Whittemore & Sons
Chainsaw Carving
Bounce House sponsored by Joe’s Flat Iron Cafe
Live Music – See Cryin Out Loud & the Autumn Addicts downtown!
Makers Market – Application OPEN!
Paint Skowhegan | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Information & Registration for Artists!
Dinner in the Park
5-10 p.m. | Coburn Park
Enjoy a delightful outdoor dining experience and a sky lit up with fireworks in beloved Coburn Park. The evening will include a cocktail hour, a locally sourced buffet dinner, live auction, live music, and fireworks over the river. Event hosted by Main Street Skowhegan. Proceeds to benefit Skowhegan revitalization projects. Purchase tickets!
Fireworks
9 p.m. | Great Eddy
Fireworks will light up the night sky. View this spectacular River Fest culmination from downtown, the eddy, or the pedestrian bridge. If there is a downpour or severe weather, the rain date will be Sunday, Aug. 6. Please check the Skowhegan River Fest Facebook page for updates.