Riverfest returns to Clarkesville on June 24

SRWA members promote the upcoming Soque River Festival during the Mountain Laurel Parade in Clarkesville in May. (Facebook)

The Soque River Watershed Association and Habersham County Animal Shelter are bringing back the popular community Riverfest.

The event will take place at Pitts Park in Clarkesville from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 24.

Riverfest has been on hiatus for the past several years, and organizers are looking forward to its return.

“While fundraising is a necessary activity of any nonprofit, the purpose and goal of this event is to bring together the community around the Soque River and educate folks that this river provides not only recreational opportunities but also is our drinking water resource for almost everyone in the county,” says event coordinator Scarlett Fuller.

This year’s event will feature live music, kid’s activities, games, food trucks, a raffle, and fly fishing instruction. The animal shelter will have pets at the park in need of homes. So, if you’re looking to adopt a pet, this would be a great opportunity to do so.

There will also be a cardboard boat race at 1 p.m. with a first-place prize. Racers are encouraged to create their boats at home in advance, but for those who don’t, limited supplies will be available at the park to construct boats on the day of the event.

This event is free for the community, but donations will be accepted. All donations are tax-deductible and go back into the Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) to ensure the Soque stays healthy and protected, says SRWA Board President Brad Coppedge.

“We want the community to know that SRWA is still here, still active, and still plays a vital role in protecting and preserving the Soque River now and in the future,” he says.

For more information about SRWA, visit www.soque.org.