Elizabeth Firemen’s Riverfest returns with a splash

By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com

After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Elizabeth Firemen’s Riverfest will be in full swing starting Friday evening.
Fire Chief Chad Rager said there will be live music at the wharf starting at 6 p.m. with the band 1985 followed at 9 p.m. by Steeltown playing until 11:30 p.m.
There will be a fireworks display at 10 p.m. Friday, followed by a full day of activities Saturday.
“We have country bands and rock bands. Bring your boats and dock up at the wharf,” Rager said. “We got the riverfront cleaned up. There’s plenty of room for chairs to be set up.”
Rager said the fire department couldn’t pull off the community event without local support.
“This year we got a lot of donations from our local businesses. We need $25,000-30,000 to get up and running,” Rager said. “It’s something our firemen love to do to give back to our community.”
Rager said there is a full slate of activities Saturday, starting with the Firemen’s Pancake Breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Firemen’s Club, and a vendor show that will run from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Registration for the Anything that Floats Race begins at 9 a.m. The race itself kicks off at 9:30, with the make-shift decorated crafts traveling about a half mile or so. Rager said he’s hoping for a lot of participation in the race this year.
“I’m going to build something for Anything that Floats,” Rager said.
His twin brother Jeremy is coordinating the event and the two will work on their craft together, Chad Rager said.
New to the Riverfest this year is a Ducky Race to benefit the Who Rescued Who Humane Society. The numbered rubber ducks will be dropped into the river at the wharf with prizes of $500, $250 and $100 for the top three finishers. The event will be held Saturday at 10 a.m.
The focus moves from the river to the shore at 11 a.m. when area children participate in the Kids’ Battle of the Barrel, a scaled-down version of the classic firefighter competition. Rager said bathing suits are the recommended attire for the event.
“It’s kids from everywhere. They get wet head to toe, but the kids love it,” Rager said. “It’s one of the biggest events in the area.”
Rager said there will be plenty of activities going on for all ages.
“We have a lot of food vendors coming, and games. We’ll have a bouncy obstacle course,” Rager said
Line up for the Firemen’s Parade begins at 4 p.m., with the parade at 5. Fire departments are expected to attend from Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland and Fayette counties, with a few coming from out of state as well. Awards are given for the best appearing and best equipped fire trucks in a number of categories, plus awards for coming the longest distance and for judges’ choice.
Musical entertainment starts after the parade, with Chain Reaction taking the stage from 6 to 8 p.m. and Buckwild from 9 to 11:30 p.m.
“RT Pro Audio from Elizabeth Township is doing the lights and sound,” Rager said.
Rager said it takes a lot of work to prepare for the Riverfest, but it’s worth it.
“People look forward to it. We’re going to try to make it the best Riverfest ever,” Rager said.