Riverfest Expands

Wilmington’s Riverfest is celebrated in October. 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. Originally, Riverfest took place on Water Street between Chandler’s Wharf and the Cotton Exchange. Waterfront Park was newly renovated in 1982 in time for the fourth and subsequent annual Riverfest celebrations, now running from the foot of Market Street to Cape Fear Community College.

In 1983, Riverfest featured the Riverboat Ragtime Revue, a live performance by a national touring company. Other special features included horse-drawn carriages and old-time street cars carrying celebrants from the Bavarian-style outdoor beer garden to the more than 50 arts and crafts exhibits. But the real highlight occurred on Sunday, when thousands of spectators flocked downtown to find a good view of the river for the annual raft race. Still today, homemade vessels make their run down the river to the delight of Riverfest goers.

Now, 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.