River Festival is a go in 2021

Residents can look forward to the annual River Festival in Green River in August.

The Green River Chamber of Commerce issued a press release last week confirming the long-running event would take place this year, with several events, including the Cajun shrimp boil, scheduled to take place.

“This is an important event for the chamber and for the community and we’re eager to bring something back that the community can enjoy,” The chamber’s office manager, Megan McComas, wrote in an email to the Star. “We are committed to conducting the event safely and will adhere to recommendations and guidelines established by the health officials.”

Kim Lionberger, director of the Sweetwater County District Board of Health, said representatives from the chamber have been in contact with her office regarding the River Festival and how the event can be hosted safely.

The shrimp boil will take place Aug. 20 with tickets for two scheduled meals available. The first meal takes place at 5 p.m., while the second takes place at 6:30 p.m. Different plates are also available, with a canoe ticket providing a half-pound of shrimp, with potatoes , corn, sausage and a drink. The boat ticket gives people a full pound of shrimp with sides while a date night special provides two people with the boat serving. As always, a spaghetti dinner will also be provided as a fundraiser for the Knights of Columbus.

The annual Flaunt Your Fish competition is also scheduled to take place during the event, with voting set to take place Aug. 20-21. Participants purchase a fish from the chamber and are tasked with decorating the fish.

The Run with the Horses Marathon will also be a part of the event. The event encompasses a 10K, half-marathon and marathon run taking participants through Wild Horse Canyon and along the Wild Horse Loop Tour. The event brings marathon runners from throughout North America to Green River. Past runners have told the Star the horses are a draw for them, but have also said it was one of the more difficult marathons they’ve competed in, citing the return segment down Wild Horse Canyon as the hardest stretch. Registration for the event takes place on the runwiththehorsesmarathon.com website, and takes place Aug. 20 from 4-5 p.m.

Other events scheduled include a car show at Evers Park, the Great Duck Race, as well as new events the chamber has yet to announce.