The Ronceverte River Festival is back for 2023 with a jam packed two-day event on June 9 and 10. From the parade on Friday until the last boom of the fireworks on Saturday night, it will be a fun filled weekend for everyone and all ages.
With 10 categories awarded trophies, the parade down Main Street has always been a terrific way to kick off the Festival. Line-up begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, and the parade starts at 7. This year a new “Queens” category has been added to show our appreciation of all the visiting “royalty”, and the top three floats will receive cash prizes.
Saturday is full of competition, starting with the Fishing Derby sponsored by Liberty Tax Service at 7 a.m. The Tahoe Farm Club Car Show starts at 10 a.m., as does the Seneca Trail Animal Hospital Pet Parade, and the always popular Children’s Games, presented this year by Peoples Bank, are at 11. The battles continue with Lion’s Club Basketball and Irish Road Bowling, sponsored by The Bank of Monroe, and the day culminates with the Great Rubber Ducky Race at 4 p.m. There are over 50 prizes this year with a top prize of $5,000. Radio Greenbrier’s 103.1 The Bear and will be broadcasting live and, along with Alcova Mortgage, offering an opportunity to win a special prize package in Savannah Georgia. Listen to Big Al in the morning for all the details.
Children are invited to enjoy activities and events throughout both days, with The Duck Pond, The Coloring Contest, Duck Hunt, Pony Rides, and a Petting Zoo. Quantum Inflatable of Charleston will be on the Island with their great selection of inflatables, a bungee jump and a climbing wall. We have also invited back The Kent Family Magic Circus, a mixture of circus, theater, and vaudeville, with a sprinkle of side-show. Come out and see them for what may be their final year touring as a full troupe. “Princess Olivia,” one of the featured performers, has decided to run away from the circus and join college. Additionally, there will be strolling performers and characters available for pictures. We expect Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers to be out in force.
All of your favorite fair food will be available with a few special additions. On Saturday morning the Ronceverte Lion’s Club will have breakfast available, followed by the traditional strawberry shortcake from the Ronceverte Library. The Tahoe Farm Club will be offering BBQ during the Car Show.
As always, the River Festival is anchored by great FREE musical performances. Friday night’s performer will be rising star singer/songwriter Kate Boytek. Kate has been pursuing her dream in Nashville and has appeared with country hitmakers Easton Corbin, LOCASH, Drew Parker, Tyler Farr, Eric Paslay, Trick Pony, Little Texas, and others. Kate’s songwriting style is both fresh and contemporary and yet has echoes of the classic singer-songwriters from the 1970s.
Saturday afternoon we are pleased to present the artistry of Lee Dean as he takes you back in time with the musical stylings of Elvis and Frank Sinatra. Saturday evening performers closing out the Festival will be local favorites The Goodson Boys, a musical group from the beautiful Greenbrier Valley, playing classic country and southern rock with a little bluegrass.
And yes, of course there will be fireworks…
For more information or to buy Duck Race Tickets, follow the Ronceverte River Festival on Facebook or visit roncevertewv.org.
Parade Information:
Come out and make the 2023 Ronceverte River Festival Parade the best parade ever!
Winners for the following categories will receive trophies
Antique/Classic Car: Classic automobiles and trucks more than 20 years old.
Street Rod: Vehicles that have been modified. May be new or old cars and trucks.
Motorized Miscellaneous: This category is a catch-all. It will include ATVs, tractors, motorcycles, and new unmodified cars.
Walking Group/Civic Organization: All groups walking or riding an undecorated vehicle that represent a business, school, team, etc.
Fire Truck: We will award this trophy to the Fire Department with the prettiest truck.
Horse drawn/Equestrian Adult: This is for riders and carriages over the age of 12.
Horse drawn/Equestrian Youth: This will be for riders and carriages 12 and under.
The Winners for the remaining categories will receive CASH PRIZES.
Decorated Bike Adult: This prize will go to a pedal powered entry which has been decorated and is ridden by someone over the age of 12. Prize is $50.
Decorated Bike Youth: This prize will go to a pedal powered entry which has been decorated and is ridden by someone 12 or younger. Prize is $50.
Float: Entries in this category must be decorated trailers or flat bed trucks.
First Place Prize is $300, Second Place is $200, and Third Place is $100.
This schedule may be subject to change.
Schedule of Events:
| FRIDAY JUNE 9th | |
| 5:30 PM | Parade line-up begins |
| 7:00 PM | Parade |
| Vendors open | |
| Inflatables open | |
| Duck Coloring Contest begins | |
| Duck Pond opens Petting Zoo and Pony Rides | |
| 8:00 PM | Kate Boytek performs in the Amphitheatre |
| 9:00 PM | The Kent Family Circus |
| (all circus times are approximate) | |
| SATURDAY JUNE 10th | |
| 7:00 AM 8:30 AM | Fishing Derby Signup Begins Car Show registration begins. |
| 9:00 AM | Lion’s Club Breakfast |
| 10:00 AM | Tahoe Farm Club Car Show |
| The Duck Pond opens | |
| Duck Coloring Contest continues | |
| Vendors open Inflatables open 103.1 The Bear Duck Ticket Give-Away Registration | |
| 10:30 AM | The Kent Family Circus |
| 11:00 AM | Strawberry Shortcake Sale begins Children’s Games sponsored by Peoples Bank |
| 11:30 AM | 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament sponsored by the Ronceverte Lions Club |
| 12:00 PM | Irish Road Bowling |
| 2:00 PM 3:00 PM | Live broadcast with Radio Greenbrier The Kent Family Circus Rubber Ducky Race ticket sales end. No exceptions! |
| 4:00 PM | The Great Rubber Ducky Race! |
| 5:00 PM | Father’s Day Pageant |
| 6:00 PM | Duck Hunt! |
| The Kent Family Circus Coloring Contest ends and voting begins | |
| 7:30 PM | The Goodson Boys in the Amphitheatre |
| 9:00 PM | The Kent Family Circus |
| 10:00 PM | FIREWORKS! |
