Designed to showcase the potential of the Kennebec River Gorge as the future home of the Skowhegan River Park, River Fest is Skowhegan's annual multi-day celebration of recreation and life on the Kennebec.

Schedule:

Saturday, July 30, 2022

2022 Riverfest Team Open Bass Tournament

8:00am-4:00pm: Cleaver Boat Landing & Kennebec River

A Maine Bass Nation Tournament hosted by the Somerset Bassmasters. For details, rules, and registration info, click here.

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

National Night Out

5:00pm-8:00pm: Coburn Park

Join the Skowhegan Police Department, Somerset County law enforcement agencies, and local organizations for free burgers and hot dogs, family activities, games, and more in Skowhegan’s beloved Coburn Park.

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Mickey Powers Memorial Lobster Bake (Curbside Pickup)

11:00am-7:00pm: Municipal Parking Lot

Join the Rotary Club August 4th for the annual lobster bake during River Fest and in honoring our former Rotarian and friend, Mickey Powers. Pre-order, pre-pay and pre-schedule your pick-up time! Must complete your purchase by August 1st. $20/single lobster meal or $29/double lobster meal. Each dinner includes corn on the cob, roll, butter, and a Bankery cookie. When you purchase your meals online, you will select the 1-hour time block to pick up your lobsters curbside. Proceeds support the Skowhegan Rotary Club’s charitable giving in the Central Maine area. Pre-sale and curbside pick-up only! Purchase your tickets here or over the phone ticket sales Monday-Friday 8a-4p by calling Mills, Shay, Lexier & Talbot at 207-474-9532.

Standup Paddle Boarding Clinic

Noon-3:00pm:  Cleaver Boat Landing

The Skowhegan Outdoors team loves to paddle board, and they want to spread the love! Join the team for a paddle boarding clinic, where you can try out inflatable paddle boards under guided instruction. The Skowhegan Outdoors AmeriCorps Program is an initiative of Main Street Skowhegan.

Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament

1:00pm: Lakewood Golf Course

Hosted by the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce, this annual golf tournament can’t be missed. Registration includes one round of 18 holes, one ticket for a lobster dinner, and one player’s portion of a cart. Registration form coming soon!

Thirsty Thursday Trivia

6:00pm: Bigelow Brewing

Test your knowledge with Tyler! Tasting room open 4-8 p.m.

Glow Stick Paddle

8:00pm: Cleaver Boat Landing

It’s back for 2022! Bring some glow sticks and your canoe or kayak for a visually compelling experience! This year Skowhegan Outdoors program facilitators and staff will lead this fun river paddle! The Skowhegan Outdoors AmeriCorps Program is an initiative of Main Street Skowhegan. Check back for registration info!

King’s Night Out

8:00pm: Lakewood Theater

This is the story of what happened in the hotel room next to the hotel room where Ann was whisked out of bed and into the Manhattan night by King Kong. Read the full description or purchase tickets.

Friday, August 5, 2022

Move More Kids 5K Run, Walk, Race

7:15am: Coburn Park (start and end)

Join Somerset Public Health for a fun run around Skowhegan. Registration opens at 7:15 a.m.; race start time is 8:00 a.m. $5.00 entry fee (CASH ONLY) Proceeds to benefit People Who Care Food Cupboard. Questions? Contact Kristie at (207) 431-0174 or [email protected]. Register online here.

Fly Fishing Clinic

12:00pm: Lake George Regional Park

Join Fins & Furs Adventures and Skowhegan Outdoors to learn the basics of fly fishing. Registration link coming soon!

The Fossils

5:00pm - 8:00pm: Bigelow Brewing

Enjoy music on the hill with local food and a brew!

Moonlight Madness

5:30-10:00pm: Water and Commercial Street

Join us for kids’ activities provided by Skowhegan Parks & Rec, live music, numerous vendors, and the famous bed races (see below).
Vendors please register here!

River-Themed Trivia with Mary

6:00pm: Start, Bloomfield’s Tavern

Test your trivia skills at Bloomfield’s (40 Water St.).

Bed Races

7:00pm: Water Street

Hosted by Skowhegan Parks & Rec, teams of five compete head to head in this madcap event by pushing beds on caster wheels down Water Street. See Parks & Rec for a registration form or register at Moonlight Madness until 6:30 p.m. For ages 14 and up.

King’s Night Out

8:00pm: Lakewood Theater

This is the story of what happened in the hotel room next to the hotel room where Ann was whisked out of bed and into the Manhattan night by King Kong. Read the full description or purchase tickets. 

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Skowhegan Farmers’ Market

9:00am-1:00pm: Somerset Grist Mill parking lot, Court Street

Area farmers sell vegetables, meat, cheese, breads, and more.

Family Fun Day Activities

9:00am-3:00pm: Municipal Parking Lot

Presented by Skowhegan Parks & Rec, activities include rock-wall climbing, river rock painting, a watermelon-eating contest, and more. Vendors sign up here.

9:00am- 3:00pm: Riverfront Greenspace (behind 151 Water Street by Walking Bridge)

Enjoy games by the river, including cornhole, Jenga, Connect 4, and Checkers.  

Vendor Fair

9:00am- 3:00pm: Municipal Parking Lot

Calling all vendors to sell your wares! Vendors sign up here.

Ducky (Inflatable Kayaks) & Raft Rides through the Gorge

11:00am: Skowhegan Gorge

Join Main Street Skowhegan’s Skowhegan Outdoors Program for a float through the gorge on an inflatable kayak (called a ducky) or a raft. More details coming soon!

Middle Ground

5:00pm - 8:00pm:  Bigelow Brewing

Music from Middle Ground is always a crowd pleaser!

Dinner in the Park

5:00pm-10:00pm: Coburn Park

Enjoy a delightful outdoor dining experience and a sky lit up with fireworks in beloved Coburn Park. The evening will include a cocktail hour, locally sourced buffet dinner, live auction, live music, and fireworks over the river. Event hosted by Main Street Skowhegan. Proceeds to benefit Skowhegan revitalization projects. Get your tickets here! Don’t delay, ticket sales end on July 29!

King’s Night Out

8:00pm: Lakewood Theater

This is the story of what happened in the hotel room next to the hotel room where Ann was whisked out of bed and into the Manhattan night by King Kong. Read the full description or purchase tickets.

Kennebec on Fire Sculpture Lighting

8:00pm: Great Eddy

Skowhegan’s Kennebec on Fire installation — five metal sculptures with fire braziers — will be lit in the Great Eddy for the evening! Grab a seat at Coburn Park or at Philbrick Beach (located at the end of Joyce Street beyond the water treatment plant) for the best view!

Fireworks

9:00pm: Great Eddy

Fireworks will light up the night sky. View this spectacular River Fest culmination from downtown, the eddy, or the pedestrian bridge. If there is a downpour or severe weather,  the rain date will be Sunday, Aug. 7. Please check the Skowhegan River Fest Facebook page for updates.

River Bottom Funk Band

9:00pm: Bloomfield’s Tavern
Dance the night away to New Orleans soul, rock, funk, and disco music!

Sunday, August 7, 2022

King’s Night Out

4:00pm: Lakewood Theater

This is the story of what happened in the hotel room next to the hotel room where Ann was whisked out of bed and into the Manhattan night by King Kong. Read the full description or purchase tickets.

Merry-Go-Roundup

5:00-6:15pm: Coburn Park

Enjoy live music & desserts (for purchase) in the park. A Concerts in the Park series event made possible by the Wesserunsett Arts Council, the Coburn Park Commission, and Skowhegan Savings Bank!

Date: July 30, 2022  - August 7, 2022

Location: Various Venues in Skowhegan, ME

Click here for More Information