NARROWSBURG, NY — Back in 1991, several organizations came together to introduce a festival to celebrate the Upper Delaware, art, music and ecology. 

“The Hudson has its Clearwater Revival and the Chesapeake has its celebration,” said Damascus resident Barbara Yeaman, founder of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, at the time, “so why not celebrate the Upper Delaware River? It’s our greatest asset.” 

This Sunday, July 28, marks Riverfest’s 33rd anniversary. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) is responsible for this wonderful event.

In 1991, and now, Main Street is blocked off. The street filled—and fills now—with musicians, artists, vendors and many, many visitors. 

Riverfest extends from 5th Street to Bridge Street. This year, it will host 44 artisans and will feature handmade crafts and one-of-a-kind designs from pottery to paintings and more.

There will also be seven nonprofits on hand, explaining what they do. Their work ranges from health advocacy to environmental causes. 

And of course there will be food vendors as well.

Art, music and fun

DVAA executive director Ariel Shanberg offered up more details.

At 10 a.m., the festivities kick off with River Dogs on Parade, a juried dog show featuring peoples’ favorite canines.

At 11 a.m. acclaimed violinist, guitarist and vocalist Odetta Hartman and vocalist Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez step onto the main stage. They’ll perform American, jazz and R&B music. “This is a soulful way to start the morning,” said Shanberg.

Next up is Farm Arts Collective, which will perform excerpts from “Alice in Scienceland,” a musical, science-filled spin on Lewis Carroll’s novel.

Winding up the afternoon and “rocking it out,” said Shanberg, is Cliff Westfall and his band. Westfall is compared to Elvis Costello and has toured with Bruce Springsteen; he brings country and bluegrass to Riverfest.

There will be plenty for kids too, from making environmental mandalas to learning natural dyeing with teaching artist Adrianne Hloderwski—and they can enjoy an activity pavilion hosted by the Chi Hive. 

The annual poster auction begins at 1 p.m., showcasing the works of 61 artists. The one of a kind posters range from paintings and collages to sculptures and photographs. Bidding begins online at bit.ly/dvaaposter and continues the day of the festival.

It’s about ecology too

Among the environmental booths are the Upper Delaware Council (UDC), the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (known for working to conserve lands) and the National Park Service (NPS).

UDC executive director Laurie Ramie shared her knowledge of the Upper Delaware River and the organization where she has worked for decades.

This part of the river has the distinction of a rare designation: in 1978 it was added to the National Wild and Scenic River system, qualifying it as a true national treasure, Ramie said. 

The upper river runs from Hancock, NY to Mill Rift, PA and is 73.4 miles long. It encompasses 55,574.5 acres of land that have remained predominantly under private ownership. 

The UDC was established in 1988 and consists of representatives from 13 towns and townships that border the river—in addition to representatives of the two states. The National Park Service is the federal partner. 

The UDC office is located in Narrowsburg, which Ramie said received its name because it represents the narrowest part of the 330-mile-long Delaware River. It also is home to the river’s deepest point (113 feet) at the Big Eddy, which serves as the scenic backdrop for Riverfest. 

The UDC promotes stewardship to ensure this special waterway is protected against the degradation of resources. Ramie cited potential overdevelopment and pollution as examples.

“The UDC is pleased to be a part of Riverfest,” she said, and noted that the DVAA provided informational booths free of charge to select nonprofit organizations. 

The environmental side of Riverfest also includes the National Park Service. It is part of the Department of the Interior, and oversees 429 iconic places like the Grand Canyon.

Ingrid Peterec, chief of interpretation, is part of the NPS division that covers the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River; it consists of 73 miles of river corridor from north to south (Hancock to Sparrowbush). 

What makes the river so special according to Peterec is the water quality. The river is also a wonderful natural resource for people seeking to enjoy paddling, kayaking, fishing and more.

The park service also has an outreach educational program for youth in the Upper Delaware Valley in the summer. The main message this year? Ensure your safety and wear a life jacket.

You can stop by the NPS booth at Riverfest to learn more, email upde_interpretation@nps.gov or call 570/685-4871.

Shanberg of the DVAA thanked the Main Street merchants supporting Riverfest as well as the Town of Tusten and the event’s major sponsor, the Jeff Bank, and media partner Radio Catskill. Last but not least, he thanked all the volunteers without whom “it wouldn’t be possible.”

The beauty of art and nature are both enhanced and preserved by Riverfest. 

Come savor them.

To learn more or if you’re interested in volunteering, call the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance at 845/252-7576 or visit www.Delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.