California Riverfest returns this weekend with family fun, parade

By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com

After a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic, the California Borough Riverfest is returning this weekend.
The event sponsored by the California Borough Recreation Authority kicks off at noon Saturday with the firemen’s parade starting at the north end of town and heading down Third Street to the festival site on Wood Street. Recreation Authority member Amelia Mitchell said the trucks will be parked near the California Public Library, across from the former fire station.
All Riverfest activities will take place on Wood Street between Third Street and the Monongahela River.
“We’ll have crafters and food vendors and some information booths,” Mitchell said. “From 1 to 4 p.m. there will be music by the Pickle (radio station) and water activities for the kids. The fire department will be spraying their hoses for the kids to run through.”
Local bands take the stage starting at 4 p.m. with the Shadow Cats, a band new to the California Riverfest, playing from 4 to 6 p.m. Mon Valley Push will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. to close out the day’s events.
Sunday’s entertainment starts at 1 p.m. with music by The Classics. The second annual (with one year off in between) Classic Car Show will run from 1 to 5 p.m.
Mitchell said a crowd favorite, the Wild World of Animals from Eighty Four, will entertain and educate the audience from 3 to 4 p.m. Mitchell said that while the wild animal show is local, it has made frequent appearances on late night television.
“The last time they were here they started with a frog and ended with a leopard,” Mitchell said. “They have big cats, primates, birds of prey and snakes. It’s educational and the kids really enjoy it. You even get to touch some of the animals, like the snakes.”
Children’s activities, including trackless train rides, will take place throughout the day. Mitchell said the Pennsylvania National Guard will be setting up a climbing wall. The Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy, California University Theatre Department, Puppet Brigade and California Public Library will also be providing children’s activities.
Music returns to the stage at 4 p.m., with Knob Road closing out the event, which ends at 6 p.m. Sunday.

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