Riverfest Expands

Wilmington’s Riverfest is celebrated in October and runs from the foot of Market Street to Cape Fear Community College. Currently drawing nearly a quarter-million people, Riverfest began in 1979 as a modest two-day event and has expanded to three fun and food-packed days.

Wilmington’s Riverfest is celebrated in October and runs from the foot of Market Street to Cape Fear Community College. Currently drawing nearly a quarter-million people, Riverfest began in 1979 as a modest two-day event and has expanded to three fun and food-packed days.

Riverfest has about 200 craft and food vendors plus fireworks, entertainment on two stages, the Great Waiters Wine Race, Run the River 8K Race, various exhibits and a children’s area. Additional Riverfest activities include skateboard competitions, street dance, wakeboard competition and a musical Battle on the River by a number of bands, a film festival, and Art in the Garden tours of gorgeous private and public gardens enhanced by art and music.

Pirates Invade

During Riverfest, the Invasion of the Pirates is a kind of festival within a festival, beginning with the arrival of the “pirate ship” on Friday evening, followed by the Pirates Ball. On Saturday, kids can participate in a treasure hunt and pirate costume contest.