The 16th annual Smith River Fest is set for Saturday, August 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Smith River Sports Complex, and Henry County Parks & Recreation Director Roger Adams said the event will be a jam-packed day full of activities.
“It’s a fun day for everyone. There’s something for anybody,” he said, adding that Yoga by the River will start at 10 a.m.
“We do free river tubing all day, you can check out a tube and a life jacket. We do free river shuttles, so if you want to come float in the river, we can shuttle you upstream or pick you up downstream. You don’t have to worry about shuttling a car,” he said.
River tubing will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the individual floats will be approximately 30 minutes long.
“One really cool thing we have is a demo pool where you can try out a canoe or kayak in a shallow water environment,” Adams said.
Demonstrations of fly casting and fly tying are scheduled, a mobile bike barn, kids cycle station, rock wall & bounce houses, and water gun battle station also are available. Most are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Infinity Acres will also be on scene with its animals all day.
The Joseph Young Magic Show will be held from 12:15-1 p.m., and the Beer Garden will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Helgramite Hustle Mud Run begins at 11 a.m., and registration for the event is from 9-10:45 a.m. at the entrance. A Kids Mini Mud Run will start at 12 p.m.
The River Race will be held at 1:30 p.m., and the mandatory safety meeting for the racers will be held at the starting line at 1:15 p.m. Registration for the River Race will also be at the entrance from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Adams said the River Race is approximately 4.6 miles.
“We have the Blue Ridge Duck Plunge in the afternoon with the Boys & Girls Club, that will be taking place the festival this year,” he said, adding several food vendors are scheduled to set up.
Karlee Raye will take the stage from 1:30-4 p.m., Adams said, adding “she’s from Lynchburg, and she’s got a new album out now. She performs a mix of country, rock, and original music.”
The Smith River fest is free to get in, and “most everything is free. The activities are free. The only thing you’d have to pay for is registering for the boat race, the mud run, and then, of course, if you want to buy food or something,” Adams said.
Sovah Health is the event’s title sponsor. Other sponsors include the Farm Bureau Insurance, Atlantic Union Bank, Press Glass, R&J Tire, Martinsville Speedway, the Center for Pediatric Therapies, the Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge, VA 811, and Auto Rehab.
