Riverfest Marks 30 Years of Bringing Arts, Crafts To Cherokee County

Staff Report

Marking its milestone 30th year as a favorite fall tradition for many Cherokee County, metro Atlanta and north Georgia families, the annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival will return to Boling Park later this month.

RiverFest will take place Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Presented by the Service League of Cherokee County, the juried festival features arts, crafts and gourmet products exhibitors, concessionaires and entertainers, as well as many fun and exciting activities for children of all ages.

Riverfest is the Service League’s largest annual fundraising event, with all proceeds benefiting the needy children of Cherokee County. Admission for adults and children 11 and older is a $5 donation. The event will take place rain or shine. Free parking and shuttle services are available. No pets, coolers, bicycles, skateboards, firearms or alcoholic beverages are allowed on site during the festival.

Commemorative 30th anniversary cups and photo displays of the Service League of Cherokee County’s 80-year history are just some of the many features of this year’s 30th anniversary celebration. Established in 1985 as an event that would provide fun for the entire family, Riverfest has firmly established itself as the cornerstone of the League’s fundraising endeavors and has become for many families a not-to-be-missed event for kicking off the fun of the fall season.

Riverfest showcases the best the south has to offer in handcrafted fine arts, crafts and gourmet products from more than 100 exhibitors. Shoppers will enjoy not only a diverse product selection, but also some of the best entertainment featuring local performers, dancers, musicians, bands and choirs. Football enthusiasts can watch the weekend’s most exciting games live on large, flat-screen televisions in the festival’s Northside Hospital-Cherokee “End Zone” tailgate area and register to win exciting raffle prizes.

Samples of some of the most delicious recipes from the Service League’s newest cookbook, “Gatherings & Traditions,” will be available at the festival, in addition to the wide variety of festival delicacies offered in the concessions area. Patrons will enjoy hand-decorated picnic tables in the newly expanded dining area and can even purchase raffle tickets to win one of these unique pieces of art at the conclusion of the festival.

Riverfest wouldn’t be complete without a children’s area filled with exciting new attractions for children of all ages, including a zip line, dunk tank and sports-themed games, not to mention many returning favorites such as pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, the ever-popular hamster bumper balls and more.

While recognizing the milestone 30th anniversary of Riverfest, the Service League will simultaneously be celebrating the League’s 80th year of service to the needy and underprivileged children of Cherokee County. Visit the Service League’s website for more information.

(Photo credit: Service League of Cherokee County)