CLEARFIELD – The 2009 edition of the Clearfield Riverfront Festival is nearing, and Clearfield’s official welcome to summer promises an event line-up sure to delight.
The festival, June 11-13, will be held in Clearfield’s Lower Witmer Park with free, family-style entertainment. Food vendors with selections for nearly every taste and crafters with varied specialties will also be at the park daily.
This year’s event features favorites that have become yearly staples, including the return of the parade after last year’s hiatus. A few new surprises are also in store for festival attendees.
The festival opens June 11 at 11 a.m. when food and craft vendors will open for the day and remain so through the evening’s entertainment. The parade will wind through downtown Clearfield beginning at 6:30 p.m. with entrants lining up at 5:30 p.m. Many entrants have already committed to appearing in the 2009 edition of the parade including local marching bands, twirling units, emergency responders and others.
The Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre’s cast of “Godspell” will perform selections from the summer musical both June 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. The event is a sneak preview of the show, which will run June 18-20 and June 25-27.
Tangent will entertain on the gazebo stage beginning at 8 p.m. The western Pennsylvania band promises to play classic rock favorites including Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Aerosmith and Van Halen.
Vendors open June 12 at 11 a.m. and will remain open throughout the day.
The Education Expo, or ED EX, will make a repeat appearance at this year’s festival. Area post-secondary institutions will have staff members on hand to answer questions regarding education choices available to students. If weather permits, the representatives will be in front of the gazebo. Should rain be in the forecast, the schools will stage in the pavilion near the Susquehanna River at the park. Representatives will be available for ED ED June 12 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Younger festival-goers will find that an inflatable bouncer has taken up residence at the park beginning at approximately 3 p.m. The bouncer will also be available for use on Saturday.
The Dance Company, under the direction of Dana Lamertina Timko, will entertain beginning at 6 p.m.
The cast of the Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre’s “Godspell” returns at 7 p.m.
The Zoo will take to the gazebo stage June 12 at 8 p.m. The band is known for their penchant for ‘80s rock, including music from Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne and Poison. A few newer bands have also found their place on The Zoo’s set list.
Festival events June 13 begin with vendors opening at 11 a.m. and remaining open throughout the day and evening.
Registration for the Diaper Derby will begin at 11 a.m. with races starting at 11:30 a.m. The Diaper Derby is a free event, open to children aged 24 months and younger. Registration is free and can be made at the festival information booth near the gazebo.
Racers will be divided into three age groups: 8 months and younger, 9-15 months and 16-24 months. Trophies will be awarded in each division.
All babies should be accompanied by at least two adults (one to “launch” at the start line and one to “catch” at the finish line).
At 1:30 p.m., the Dream Catchers, under the direction of Jo Maines-Lowman, will perform.
Randy Clark and the Renegade Ride will perform on the gazebo beginning at 8 p.m. Grampian native Clark will entertain with original country selections from his CD, “One Life,” including the title track, “When You Were Here,” “Don’t Forget Your Gun” and “Waste of Skin,” among others. The group will also play other country favorites.
Fireworks are set to light up the sky over the Susquehanna River at 10 p.m., with Randy Clarke and The Renegade Ride performing after the fireworks to close out the night.
Admission to the Clearfield Riverfront Festival, with CNB Bank and Veolia Environmental Services as major sponsors, is free.
Wok!W 102.9 FM will be providing live broadcasts from the festival grounds daily.
Directions, a map of the festival grounds, photos from previous years and more can be found online by following the “Clearfield Riverfront Festival” link.
Clearfield Riverfront Festival Event Schedule
Thursday
11 a.m. Vendors open and remain open throughout the day and evening
6:30 p.m. Parade
7 p.m. Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre performing music from “Godspell”
8 p.m. Tangent
Friday
11 a.m. Vendors open and remain open through the day and evening
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. ED EX
6 p.m. The Dance Company under the direction of Dana Lamertina Timko
7 p.m. Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre performing music from “Godspell”
8 p.m. The Zoo
Saturday
11 a.m. Vendors open and remain open through the day and evening
11 a.m. Diaper Derby registration at the information booth near the gazebo
11:30 a.m. Diaper Derby
1:30 p.m. Dream Catchers under the direction of Jo Maines-Lowman
8 p.m. Randy Clark and the Renegade Ride
10 p.m. Fireworks over the Susquehanna River
10:30 p.m. Randy Clark and the Renegade Ride continue
The Clearfield Riverfront Festival has been held in Clearfield’s Lower Witmer Park each year since 1991. The event features food and craft vendors, entertainment and activities for all ages.
