Join us for our 2017 RiverFest this June! Click the flyer for more information.
June 4, 2017 – Niles to Girard Paddle
On June 4th, the day after RiverFest, you’re invited to join us for a paddle on the river! Click this link to view the pdf with full details for the paddle event!
About RiverFest
One of the first FOMR activities was to hold a “celebration” of the Mahoning River. RiverFest 2012 was held in October at the B & O Station in Youngstown, Ohio, located along the banks of the Mahoning river. This exposure allowed FOMR to educate the public about the river, the river ecology, and the environment.
June, 2013 brought the 2nd Annual RiverFest to the local public. This time, the Trumbull Canoe Trails Club offered free canoe and kayak rides to citizens who were interested in seeing the Mahoning River in a setting other than just passing over when crossing a bridge. The beauty of the River amazed residents who had not realized how the river could be presented and promoted to more environmentally friendly and green practices.
June 7, 2014 was the date of the 3rd Annual RiverFest at the B & O Station. FOMR has been assisted in its yearly effort to educate the public about the River and its riparian river bank by numerous entities in our community.
Our exhibitors include: the Ohio EPA Agency, the Trumbull Canoe Club, Mill Creek Park Metroparks, Youngstown State University (STEM and the student environmental society, YESS), the Alliance for Watershed Action and Resource Education (AWARE), the Trumbull and Mahoning County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Eastgate Regional Council of Government, Mahoning County Green Team, OH WOW Children’s Science Museum, Historical Societies, local Boy and Girl Scout troops, and the Sierra Club.
These entities represent a sampling of those who support FOMR’s mission to educate citizens about the value of the Mahoning River. The Artists of the Rustbelt Annual Summer Market inside the B&O station once again ran in conjunction with the Riverfest. The free canoe and kayak rides on the river were a big attraction with over one hundred people of all ages willing to patiently wait in line for the opportunity to enjoy the river up close and personal.
RiverFest 2015 was again held on the first Saturday in June and families from across the Valley came to celebrate the river. Entertainment from local musicians was enjoyed as was numerous children’s activities…free face painting, crafts, inflatable slides and bounce arounds, and an encampment by the Boy Scouts. This in conjunction with our exhibitors and the Artists of the RustBelt’s art show in the B&O Station.
RiverFest 2016 was our 5th annual celebration. This RiverFest was dedicated to the life of Michelle Arroyo, a native Mahoning Valley resident who lost her battle with cancer. Michelle was a supporter of the FOMR from its inception.
RiverFest 2017, the 6th annual event, is scheduled for June 3rd. The celebration begins at noon with opening remarks from the B&O stage and continues through 5:30 pm.
This year, members of the Ballet Western Reserve Academy located in the city of Youngstown will grace our stage at 3:00. Prior to their performance, the James Frank Trio will perform from 12:30 – 1:30; Jungle Terry and his animal friends from 1:30-2:30; and after the BWR, we will be entertained by Leather and Lace on stage.
Attendance is free as are all activities as the RiverFest is financially supported by R.J. Wean Foundation’s Neighborhood Success Grant, Vallourec Steel in Youngstown, the city of Youngstown, the B&O Station, and donations from local companies and individuals.
Artists of the RustBelt will be ready for business both Saturday and Sunday. The RiverFest, in the grassy area along the banks of the Mahoning, will have food venders to try; music will be performed on the stage; Trumbull Canoe Trails Club will be offering rides on the river; all of our exhibitors will be set up; children’s activities will be available. FOMR welcomes members of our community and beyond to come join the celebration….the party at the river’s edge.
