The annual Buckhannon RiverFest Celebration of Our Water will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Buckhannon Riverwalk Park. We invite community members to participate in paddling, educational activities, arts and crafts, fantastic music by the Elk River Ramblers, and an interfaith water blessing. All activities are free and open to the public. This is a family friendly event and there are activities specifically for youth. Most activities will be held at Buckhannon Riverwalk Park, 54 Wood St., Buckhannon WV.

Each year, the Mountain Lakes Preservation Alliance and the Buckhannon River Watershed Association partner to organize this free community gathering celebrating our water and its life-sustaining qualities, held each year on the banks of the Buckhannon River.

Our festivities begin Saturday morning with a group paddle on the Buckhannon River from Hampton to Riverwalk. This 4.5 mile, calm water paddle is suitable for beginners and families. Paddlers drop off boats, gear and passengers in Hampton between 9 and 10 a.m. and then drive their cars to Riverwalk Park. We offer a shuttle from Riverwalk Park back to Hampton at 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. The Hampton Access Site is south of Buckhannon. Follow Route 20 out of town, turn left on Sago Road and follow the brown signs that say “Public Stream Access.”

At 10 a.m., festivities begin at Riverwalk Park. WVDNR will offer a fish-watching demonstration at the Riverwalk Park boat ramp and demonstrate electrofishing, a scientific observation method used to study fish populations. Beginner-friendly Water Flow Yoga by Lisa Gum also begins at 10 a.m. at Riverwalk Park and stretches the body and relaxes the mind.

Adjacent to the Riverwalk Park boat ramp, our Wonderful World of Water educational exhibits feature interactive and educational activities on Buckhannon River fish, macroinvertebrates, water quality and acidic mine waters, freshwater mussels, watersheds, plants and culture, properties of water, flooding and water conservation.

Other activities include community arts and crafts, such as painting the Clean Water walking tapestry. There will also be a scavenger hunt in the park with prizes. At noon there will be live music by Seth Maynard and the Elk River Ramblers. The music will be powered by solar energy. Free sack lunches will be provided courtesy of Free Meals Appalachia. Pizza will also be served by Sam’s Pizza.

Free kayaks and paddleboards will be available at the Riverwalk Park boat ramp from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Beginner instruction will be provided. If you’re a beginner, this is the perfect opportunity to try paddling on the Buckhannon River.

The day ends with an interfaith water blessing. Participants are asked to bring a sample of their “home water” from a local river, stream or tap. During the ceremony, we will mix all the water together, say some prayers to the water, and then return some of that water to the Buckhannon River.

Buckhannon RiverFest is held annually to celebrate clean water, healthy recreation, and our community. The Buckhannon River is the only municipal source of drinking water in Upshur County and we must do everything we can to protect it. This year marks the 8th year of the event. RiverFest was founded by and is now held in memory of April Pierson Keating, a local advocate for healthier environments and communities.