About Riverfest
Our History
Flashback to 1978.. Downtown is deserted… retailers have moved to “The Mall” and other shopping centers, with only a few old-timers remaining on Front Street. Farsighted developers have made stores and warehouses on the northern end of town into the Cotton Exchange, a collection of specialty shops, pubs, and restaurants. Old abandoned homes and shops [...]
Our Mission
The Old Wilmington Riverfront Celebration, Inc. the organization responsible for the Annual Wilmington Riverfest, has been established as a charitable organization to benefit the Cape Fear River environment. To that end, it is our goal to actively participate with the community to raise capital for reinvestment in the human resources necessary to research and develop [...]
Riverfest Happenings
Riverfest Expands
Wilmington’s Riverfest is celebrated in October and runs from the foot of Market Street to Cape Fear Community College. Currently drawing nearly a quarter-million people, Riverfest began in 1979 as a modest two-day event and has expanded to three fun and food-packed days. Wilmington’s Riverfest is celebrated in October and runs from the foot of [...]
Photo Gallery Of Past Events
Today Riverfest has evolved into a three-day celebration with 150,000 visitors. It’s a family-fun shindig along the Cape Fear River with live music, arts and crafts, exhibits, dance performances, contests, children’s activities, food, river events, friendly competitions and fireworks.
Wilmington Riverfest Spotlights
Wilmington Riverfest- Donation to Cape Fear Community College
The Old Wilmington Riverfront Celebration, Inc. the organization responsible for the Annual Wilmington Riverfest, has been established as a charitable organization to benefit the Cape Fear River environment.
To that end, it is our goal to actively participate with the community to raise capital for reinvestment in the human resources necessary to research and develop river preservation methods and technology.
We will strive to promote the Annual Wilmington Riverfest to successfully raise funds for donation to the Cape Fear Community College Marine Sciences Division in the form of the Riverfest Endowment fund.
The endowment fund will be used to award scholarships based on academic achievement and desire to benefit the Cape Fear River and surrounding community.
Join In The Fun- Become A Part Of Riverfest Today
Due to 3rd Street construction, there may be some traffic congestion during Riverfest. The easiest ingress and egress to Water St. will be from the northern end, MLK to Front to Nutt to Water.
