Big fun on the French Broad this weekend

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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The party on the French Broad River keeps getting better every year. This year’s Rockin’ River Fest will feature local bands, food and river races. There will be artists, vendors and a doggie parade. You have until Friday to enter a raft in the race, so jump on it.

It doesn’t get much better than this, folks. Click here to download a map for parking. To have a table at the festival, click here.

Click here for more info.
The dets:

Where: French Broad River Park, Amboy Rd, Asheville

When: Saturday August 2nd, 2008

What: Fun for the whole family! Raft Race, music showcase competition featuring local bands, food, beer, kids parade & activities, pet parade & adoptions, games, vendors, artists and more. Free to enter festival.

Why: Celebrate the French Broad River

Who: RiverLink, 96.5 WOXL, and you

Schedule of events:

10:00 am Raft Race begins – Registration deadline extended to Fri Aug. 1.

11:00 am Kid Parade – kids can decorate their bike, rollerskates, skateboard or walk (any nonmotor means of transportation) and win prizes donated by Diane Bauknight State Farm Insurance in Arden for most creative, funniest and cutest within each of the following age categories: 0-3 yrs, 3-6 yrs, 6-9 yrs and 9-12 yrs. Costumes and decorations encouraged! Meet at the main stage starting at 10:30 am.

11:30 am Dog Parade – Show off your pooch in the Rockin’ RiverFest Dog Parade, organized by Animal Compassion Network, with the opportunity to win a prize for cutest, smaller or biggest dog as voted by our celebrity judges. Costume is optional. Registration begins at 11am near the main stage.

Noon – 5:00 Music Showcase & Other Performances

Noon: SILVERGUN SUPERMAN

12:30 pm: Asheville Aerial Arts

1 pm: BY MORNING

1:30 pm: Pet Adoption Features

1:40 pm Musician’s Workshop feature

2 pm: ODDSTAR

2:30 pm: Baraka Mundi Belly Dancing

3 pm: HOLLOWPOINT

3:30 pm Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedians

4 pm: JAZZ THE RIPPER

4:30 pm Announce winners of raft race

5 pm Announce Music Showcase winners

6-8 pm After-Party @ Wild Wing Cafe – The Wild Wing Winner of the Music Showcase will be the featured band of the evening. So come out, have fun and bring your Rockin’ River Fest Cup with you to get $1.00 Beer! Great games and prizes with Wild Wing Cafe and 105.9 The Mountain.

Other Fun Stuff for the whole family:

Asheville Hoops – Hula Hooping with Mel MacPink

WNC Nature Center Petting Zoo

Volleyball & Bocce Ball sponsored by Special Olympics of WNC

Spray-on Tattoo Artist Carey Baker ($2-$3)

Cornhole Bean Bag Toss sponsored by Asheville Radio Group

Face Painting by Asheville Face Painting & Funtastic Faces ($3, $5 & $7)

Good Eats/Drinks:

Circle In The Square Pizza

Satay-A-Go-Go Thai Food

Wild Wing Cafe

Miller/Yuengling

Cheerwine products

Bottled Water

Parking: Parking will be available at Carrier Park on Amboy Rd, Karen Cragnolin Park (former Edaco Junkyard) on Amboy Rd and in gravel lot at intersection of Lyman St. and Clingman Ave. Free shuttles will be available to/from French Broad River Park beginning at 10:30am till 5:30pm from these locations. Limited handicapped parking will be available at French Broad River Park. Public parking will not be allowed at French Broad River Park. Click here for map of parking locations.