RiverFest comes to New Westminster waterfront this weekend

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On Friday night, RiverFest will feature great music on the YVR Main Stage on the New Westminster waterfront between 6 and 9 p.m.

Then all day Saturday, the music will continue to ramp up, offering great bands from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the added excitement of things for the kids—crafts, games and more hands one activities—a tugboat parade at about 3:30 p.m., and short films at the Fraser River Discovery Centre.

And as part of the new partnership between the Discovery Centre and the Hyack Festival Association, there are twice as many reasons to come down to the river this weekend.

On top of activities and music, the waterfront will also feature the Artists on the River exhibition, featuring artists and artisans who produce original pieces focusing on the river or who have been influenced by the river.

The impetus for the festival is B.C. Rivers Day and World Rivers Day—both which got their start in this province.

“What better place to celebrate these two events than in New Westminster, a community with deep connections to the Fraser River,” said Catherine Ouellet-Martin, executive director of the Fraser River Discovery Centre. “With its new Pier Park, River Market and a Discovery Centre completely dedicated to the Fraser, the city’s waterfront is a perfect setting to celebrate B.C.’s greatest river.”

The quality of the musical offerings at the festival is sure to impress, said Douglas Smith, Executive Director, Hyack Festival Association.

“We are absolutely delighted with the YVR Main Stage line-up,” Smith said.

RiverFest is the result of combining two previous events held on the Quay—Hyack’s FraserFest and the Discovery Centre’s Artists on the River.

The hallmark Paddlewheeler boat tours and workboat parade return along with art exhibits and interactive activities from conservation organizations and community groups that build upon the river and environmental themes.

The event also marks BC Rivers Day a world-wide event held every year on the last Sunday in September. This year is the 32nd anniversary of BC Rivers Day.

With its strong connection to the river, New Westminster is marking the occasion with RiverFest, bringing environment, art and entertainment together, in celebration of the living, working Fraser River.

RiverFest is free to the public and will take place on the boardwalk at Westminster Quay on Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29. For more details, visit the Facebook page.

newsroom@newwestnewsleader.com