With the COVID-19 pandemic still having a widespread impact, Clarksville Parks & Recreation is adapting the traditional 3-day Riverfest celebration into nearly two weeks to include in-person and virtual events!
Riverfest Juried Art Show
The Juried Art Show showcases the work of local professionals, amateurs, and aspiring artists in three divisions: professional, amateur, and youth. Categories are open to all divisions: Photography, Painting (includes acrylic, oil, and watercolor), Drawing, Digital Art, Graphics and Printmaking, 2D and 3D Mixed Media (non-sculptural), Fiber Arts, Animation, 3D Categories: Sculpture, Wood, Ceramic, Glass, Jewelry, and Metalworks.
This year’s event will be an exhibit, showcasing selected artwork at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Thursday, September 10, 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Friday, September 11, 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm, and Saturday, September 12, 10:00 am- 3:00 pm. Winning artwork will be labeled with a ribbon, then displayed on the big screens to recognize those artists.
Riverfest Virtual Talent Competition
Our finalists have been chosen! Vote now for your favorite! The winner will perform at Riverfest 2021 before the event headliner.
Cardboard Boat Regatta
1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12 will be the popular Riverfest Cardboard Boat Regatta. Teams will build cardboard boats and set sail on the Cumberland River. Each team will be allowed 3 guests to watch. No other spectators will be permitted. Live broadcasts of the event will be available through social media and will be announced closer to the event. Participants must wear cloth face coverings.
Riverfest Virtual 5K
Run through the McGregor Park 5K or 1 mile course and receive a commemorative Riverfest Virtual 5K t-shirt. 5K participants will also receive a Riverfest 2020 water bottle. The cost is $20 for the 5K and $10 for the 1 mile.
D.I.Y. Riverfest
We can’t all be together but we can share our celebrations together. The D.I.Y. Riverfest celebration will consist of individuals, families, and groups sharing pictures of themselves with the official Riverfest 2020 koozie and using the hashtag #ClarksvilleRiverfest2020. All participants will have a chance to win VIP tickets to Riverfest 2021.
Clarksville Downtown Market
Saturday, September 5 & 12
The weekly open-air, Clarksville Downtown Market will join the Riverfest celebration with a continued selection of local farmers and artisans who offer locally-grown fresh produce, food items, and handcrafted products. Saturday, September 5 will be Health and Wellness Day, and Saturday, September 12 will be Riverfest Day the market, complete with special deals from local vendors.
Movies in the Park - “Trolls World Tour” and “Onward”
Saturday, September 5 & Friday, September 11 at Liberty Park
Movies in the Park will continue with its original schedule of Trolls World Tour showing on Saturday, September 5. There will be an additional movie added Friday, September 11 showing Disney Pixar’s newest movie, “Onward.” For both events, a variety of food vendors and sponsor tents will be available during the pre-show fun all while maintaining social distancing with large squares painted on the grass to serve as a seating area on the Liberty Park Athletic Fields.
Fireworks
Riverfest 2020 will conclude with a drive-in fireworks display from 9:00 - 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, September 12. The fireworks will be shot from Liberty Park, and extremely limited parking will be available at the park. Visitors are encouraged to find parking around the area to view the show. The fireworks will be shot higher than normal, so as to be viewed easier from longer distances from the park. Citizens viewing the fireworks are encouraged to practice social distancing by remaining at their vehicles.