Logo The Catawba Valley Heritage Alliance would like to invite everyone to the
6th Annual Catawba RiverFest
Saturday September 13, 2008
Bud Geitner Park in Hickory (Map and Directions)
10am - 3pm
Free Admission  


Every year hundreds of people enjoy the Catawba RiverFest, so join us at Bud Geitner Park. There is something for everyone at RiverFest...  you never know what you might see.  
wild life boat


Catawba RiverFest is an annual celebration sponsored by the CVHA and a variety of local governmental and non-govermental organizations.  The focus of the festival is to provide everyone with an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the Catawba River as well as providing an opportunity for local organizations to highlight issues impacting the river.  RiverFest takes place every year in September at Bud Geitner park (Map and Directions).  The festival features music from local band Strictly Clean and Decent, food, booths from local organizations, and a water derby.  A schedule for the festival will be added soon.  

The festival provides an opportunity for local organizations to provide demonstrations to the public and showcase the services they offer.  The Carolina Raptor Center, Lenoir-Rhyne College, and the Catawba River Keepers were just a few of the organizations that have booths at our festival.  If your organization is interested in having a booth at this year's festival please contact Phil Piaski at piaski@bellsouth.net

Lenoir-Rhyne   Soil and water

The Fifth Annual Riverfest featured a water Derby with several levels of competition.  Congradulations to this year's winners and get ready for next time.  
youth race


Fifth Annual Catawba RiverFest

Saturday September 15, 2007
Bud Geitner Park in Hickory (Map and Directions)
10am - 3pm



Canoe Derby 02 Water Derby, Canoe and Kayak Races With Prizes Provided by Outdoor Supply Company
All levels of experience, all ages. Bring your own canoe or kayak. Life Jackets Required

Demonstrations and Children's Canoe Basics
Regional legendary paddler, David Benner of Morganton


Schedule of Events For RiverFest 2007 An impressive list of non-profit, governmental and educational groups will be present at the festival: Carolina Raptor Center with their prestigious show of live hawks, owls and eagles up close, Catawba Science Center with a glimpse of what the new aquarium will look like, The Catawba Riverkeeper, the Reese Institute for Conservation at Lenoir-Rhyne College, Duke Energy’s Lake Management, NC Cooperative Extension Services, Western Piedmont Council of Governments, Master Gardeners, Unifour Pond Society, Catawba County Parks and Recreation, NC Parks and Recreation, Catawba Soil and Water Conservation, NC Science House, Carolina Bird Club, NCSU Aquatic Plant Program, Catawba Valley Outing Club, Catawba Valley Paddle Trails Association, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, NC Division of Air Quality, and others.
10:00-11:00am  Registration for water derby(life jackets required)
11:00am-2:00pm  Water Derby          
11:00am-11:30 Special Presentation by Protect the Catawba Coalition to honor officials fighting inter basin transfers
All Day Strictly Clean and Decent with special guest Jim Ashton;
Paddling Demonstrations;
Try out a boat for free, Confluence Water Sports will have boats available to try;
Great Food will be available from Ice Cream Engineers