Saturday full of fun along the Petaluma River

<p>The Petaluma River offers residents a host of recreational possibilities. Pair that up with the city's very artistic community and you have the formula for Rivertown Revival, a new community festival celebrating both the river, art and music from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 24 at the River Heritage Center.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>The turn-of-the-century-carnival-themed festival features a day of art boat races, floating art sculptures, sideshows, live music, children's activities, arts and crafts vendors and food — all to raise funds for the Friends of the Petaluma River's River Heritage Center and the Petaluma Arts Center.</p><p>Though still a work in progress, the PRHC makes its home in the historic livery stable in Steamer Landing Park, on the McNear Peninsula. Friends of the Petaluma River plans for it to become a place where people can learn about the river, connect with it for recreation and enjoy various educational programs and exhibits.</p><p>The Rivertown Revival fits well with that purpose.</p><p>“It's going to be quite an unusual event for Petaluma,” said Elizabeth Howland, a Friends of the Petaluma River board member involved with helping to organize the event. “The idea was to combine art, music and the river for just a fun day for the people of Petaluma and surrounding communities.”</p><p>The festival is a completely volunteer effort sponsored by Friends of the Petaluma River and the Petaluma Arts Center, spearheaded by Kelin Backman of Clementine Eco-Events, who came up with the idea.</p><p>“It's just a group of community volunteers who thought it would be a good way to bring attention to the river and celebrate it,” said Howland. “And we wanted it to be a collaboration with the Petaluma Arts Council and the bringing of art and nature together.”</p><p>The highlight of the event is expected to be the art boat races.</p><p>“All the boats are human-powered,” said Howland. “They're highly decorated boats. It should be a lot of fun.”</p><p>Live local music during the day will be provided by Old Jawbone, Hillside Fire, the Crux, Baby Seal Club, El Radio Fantastique, the Hubbub Club and others. </p><p>There will also be carnival-esque sideshows, stilt walkers, unicyclists, fortune tellers, circus performers, palm readers and wandering accordionist Amber Lee.</p><p>“There are going to be tons of kids activities and arts and crafts,” said Howland. “There will also be a shaded area for babies and moms of young children to take a break from the sun.”</p><p>Admission is free. Tickets will be sold for the purchase of beer and food.</p><p>While the lot at the entrance to Steamer Landing Park will be open for parking, spaces are limited. There will be bicycle valet parking for those who choose to use more environmentally friendly transportation.</p><p>“This is our first stab at a festival, and ultimately we hope this will be the first of many Rivertown Revivals,” said Howland. “We just all wanted to do this for Petaluma and its people. They were our inspiration for this.”</p><p>For details, visit www.rivertownrevival.com</p><p>(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@arguscourier.com)</p>