TRR photo by Richard A. Ross “Connections,” a collage by Phyllis Billick, sold for $300 at the annual Riverfest auction. (Click for larger image)

RiverFest sheds rain and shines on with style

By RICHARD A. ROSS

NARROWSBURG, NY—Rain or shine, they were coming to the festival that cannot be missed. The occasion, the 13th annual Riverfest, drew record crowds.

Despite some early showers, the cars kept arriving, filling every available lot and space in the river town that annually transforms its Main Street into what visitor Erica Hafkin of Rockland County referred to as “akin to the feel and charm of San Francisco.”

The premiere attraction, of course, was the auction that featured 80 RiverFest posters created and donated by artists from all over the county. Auctioneer Pamela Moore Epstein’s skill, charm and wit got the crowd into the spirit. At 1:00 p.m. people massed under the tent and on the street for the opportunity to view and perhaps bid on an incredible variety of posters in every conceivable medium. Not only were there a record number of posters, but the auction revenues shattered last year’s total sale receipts by setting a new record of $15,300 dollars.