Celebrate the diverse range of avian wildlife in the Delaware Valley at this year's Riverfest Celebration on Sept. 4, 2016.
FRENCHTOWN - Celebrate the diverse range of avian wildlife in the Delaware Valley at this year's Riverfest Celebration on Sunday.
Themed Wings Over the River, festivities kick off at noon and will go until 6 p.m.
Bird Hatching, a bird parade and a screening "Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" will take place at Art Yard, according to a news release. There will be a Paper Boat Riverfest Regatta, a wildlife show, live music, environmental exhibits, food and family fun throughout the borough.
Visitors can dance in the streets to the sounds of local bands, and back by popular demand will be Star City Tribal Bellydancers. Live music will include Jon Savage and the Classic Rockers, The Revalotors, The Wallace Brothers, The Saddletones and Joe Cocco.
Eyes of the Wild will be back to entertain and educate on animals great and small. There will be a variety of local artists and environmental exhibits along Bridge Street, poetry by the river and shops will be featuring in-store entertainment and sales.
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Kids and adults can take part in paper boat building and boat races on the Delaware. Brokaw Photography will showcase The River Towns Photo Exploration Project.
Learn about the rich and diverse heritage of the Delaware River Valley with historian Hal Taylor. He will be at The Book Garden speaking about the role of the river in U.S. history and the environment and signing copies of his book, The Illustrated Delaware River.
Rick Epstein will conduct walking tours of downtown Frenchtown at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.; cost is $10. Meet in front of the Book Garden at 28 Bridge St. No reservations are needed.
Epstein came to Frenchtown in 1977. As editor of the Delaware Valley News, he learned much of his history from chatting with the old timers. He also read all the history books and even unspooled some microfilm in the cellar of the county library.
"I tell about the Great Fire of 1878 and the time Sarge Russell's wagon shed blew down on Louie Gelegonya's Ford Falcon, which was around 1979," says Epstein. "I can also show you an old leather mask used in the mystic rites of the Odd Fellows lodge, and explain how the guillotines of France sent our founder running to America in 1794."
Because hot weather is likely, Epstein has arranged for all the talking and listening to take place in shady places. "The tour takes about 70 minutes unless everyone decides they want the long version," says Epstein. For more information about the tour, call 908-200-0480.
Riverfest is organized by the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association; and sponsored by TD Bank, Stem Brothers, Shenberger Insurance, H.J. Opdyke Lumber and River Mills at Frenchtown.
Valet bike service and free park and ride from Artie's Free Park and Walk from DesignPlan Lighting.
For more information, visit delawarerivertowns.com or Frenchtown Today on Facebook. Contact Mike Tyksinski at Frenchtown Home and Hardware via email or 908-996-2283.