Editor's pick: Riverfest celebrates a sweet 16th

Sunday, July 23, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. Main Street, Narrowsburg, NY. Free. www.ArtsAllianceSite.org or 845/252-7576.

Narrowsburg’s Riverfest is simultaneously a tribute to the environment and a showcase for the arts and artisans of the Upper Delaware River Valley, all played out on a Main Street that boasts a spectacular panoramic view of the river that it celebrates.

Festival goers stroll the street, mingling with street performers and stilt-walkers from NACL, browsing hand-crafted woodwork, jewelry, furniture, pottery, photography, glass, silk, dolls, hooked and woven rugs, paintings and lamps. They can sample culinary items from Jill’s Kitchen’s gourmet specialties to plain American fare from the Narrowsburg Fire Department or root beer floats from The River Reporter. They can meet an author and buy a book, have their picture taken, buy a newly designed Riverfest T-shirt or simply kick back and listen to music in a variety of idioms from Cajun shuffles to honky tonk. For kids, there are special arts and crafts projects.

Environmental concerns—perhaps of special moment this year in the wake of the record flooding—will be addressed by staff members and volunteers of the National Park Service’s Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, the Upper Delaware Council, Master Gardeners, Trout Unlimited, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners.

The River Dog Parade, an event introduced last year to general acclaim, will open the fest at 10:00 a.m., emceed by John Marchese. Pooches of all sizes and shapes, dressed in their best finery, will compete for prizes provided by River Dog, a new dog boutique on Main Street.

At 11:00 a.m., auctioneer Jerry Malek will open the Riverfest Poster Auction with Honorary Riverfest auctioneer, Pamela Moore Epstein. The auction features over five dozen original art posters created by the area’s finest artists and artisans. This will be the 15th such opportunity for collectors to snatch wonderful works of art—sometimes for a pittance, sometimes for a substantial sum. Auction proceeds benefit the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance’s Visual Arts Program, a year-round exhibition program at the Delaware Arts Center galleries.

Most Main Street shops and restaurants will be open for business too, providing visitors with yet more opportunities to browse, admire and sup.