SUNBURY — The Susquehanna River’s banks are dotted with municipalities that have benefited from its waters and that access to the refreshing, beautiful current is cause for celebration. Sunbury Revitalization Inc. (SRI) will host the Sunbury River Festival on Friday and Saturday in Riverfront Park along Front Street.
The festival features craft vendors, art, live music, a Car Cruise In, plenty of food and a number of activities from children’s games, educational presentations and guided tours of the river to make-and-take art projects. Amie Savidge, SRI office administrator, said she’s excited about all the craft vendors this year. There are custom etchings from the Wandering Woodcraft, pet treats for fur babies, handmade jellies, candles, a display of books by local author R.
J. Bonnett and much more. “Come down and start your Christmas shopping,” Savidge said.
“I chose vendors because I thought their merchandise looked amazing. It’s a really great way to support your local community and shop small.” Food vendors range from apple dumplings and Italian ice to Poppy’s Coffee Co.
, based in Middleburg; Shake Your Buns and Do the Twist, from Northumberland; JoJo’s Scoops and Sprinkles, from Sunbury, and wood-fired pizza, cheesesteaks, sausages and more. Savidge is also happy that the festival can be held in Riverfront Park again this year. Last year’s road construction forced events to take place downtown.
“It’s so beautiful down there at the river,” Savidge said. “It’s a calming feeling. We’re so lucky to be able to have the festival down there.
” Jody Ocker, SRI executive director, pointed out the variety of attractions for people of all ages. Frank Little Bear will speak about Native American culture. The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper will take people on “walking and wading” excursions along the river’s edge.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, Heath’s Gym Dance Crew, VanGo! Museum on Wheels, Weaver Balloons and Green Horse Farm Petting Zoo will all offer unique forms of fun and entertainment. The YMCA Arts Center and the Albright Center for the Arts, STEAM Innovation Labs and Marcellus Cre8s will offer art projects for people to exercise their creativity. “We have so many events for both adults and children,” Savidge said.
“I know my kids are excited to come down and see the art.” The annual Car and Motorcycle Cruise In will take place from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. at Cameron Park and in front of and behind Sunbury City Hall at 225 Market St.
DJs and live entertainers, including Raising Kane, Rockstar Revolution, DJ Redneck JamZ, the Sunbury City Band and DJ Stan Tharp will fill the air with music, some of them at the Sunbury Amphitheater at the Merle Phillips Riverfront Park. “The stage is going to face toward the river,” Ocker said. “It will be awesome for people in boats to enjoy the concert, as well.
” The River Festival is a huge fundraiser for SRI. This year will also include a 50/50 Cash Drawing and a Lottery Ticket Raffle where people can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win $900 in PA Scratch-off Lottery Tickets. The drawing for that will be on Friday, Sept.
20, at the Lake Augusta Wine and Brew Festival. “We want to make this appealing to the local community as well as people outside the community,” Ocker said. “This is a celebration of Sunbury as a river town.
It’s exciting.”.
