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RiverFest sheds rain and shines on with style 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. The rapidly escalating bids gave testimony not only to the desire of people to go home with the artwork, but also to the success of the auction itself as a means to raise money to support the DVAA gallery program. Food and drink were in great demand as people lined up to buy tasty delights from Jill’s Kitchen or gourmet hot dogs and smoked sausages from The River Reporter. Other taste treats up and down the street included Hershey’s ice cream, jumbo pretzels, a lemonade stand, fruit salad, cookies and delicious slices of watermelon. Stilt walkers from the NaCL kids’ stilt group paraded as vendors entertained browsers and buyers. Lori Stickley’s booth, gotsoap.com, enticed people with the alluring smells of cinnamon, oatmeal, lavender and patchouli scented soaps. “I love this spot here on Main Street,” said Stickley, who sells her wares at street fairs in the warm weather and on the internet the rest of the year. “I should have bought a store here years ago,” she said. Potter Anthony Biancoviso of Hillside Studios and his wife Sally Rowe spoke excitedly about the resurgence in Barryville. Biancoviso has been in the area since 1975 and has seen new people come and go. Both expressed the hope that newcomers will appreciate the area for what it is and not try to change it.
Beth Macroe was gathering information on the Delaware from the Upper Delaware Council display. She finds Narrowsburg enchanting. “It’s nice to see everyone here on a Sunday. I live in Liberty and like here, things are really looking up. There are lots of different artists.” DVAA Executive Director Elaine Giguere was delighted with the day, which featured the participation by more than one hundred artists. “We were so pleased that the day turned out well despite the threatening weather. I wanted to convey my special thanks to Pamela Moore Epstein for the tremendous job she did on the auction.” Early in the day the flotilla attracted three participants, tripling last year’s total. First place was won by the Town of Highland Renaissance group with its replica of a D&H canal boat. Second place went to Anne D’Agniello of Beach Lake, PA for her Hawaiian-themed vessel. Honorable Mention was bestowed on Tim Erson of Narrowsburg for his entry entitled Martin and Kyle Tug-n-Tow. Sons Martin and Kyle sailed on board. Kids had their faces painted and old friends and new ones chatted and strolled down the lively crowded street. WVOS disc jockeys Mike Sickell and Dave Robinson carried the happenings live on the air as Narrowsburg basked in the glow of the afternoon sun. As the title of Arlene Lawrence’s beautiful collage entitled “Forget Paris,” went up for sale, it was clear this day belonged not to the city by the Seine but to the town by the Upper Delaware. Click here for more images from RiverFest.
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