POMEROY - Riverfest - with its call to “Rally by the River” where sternwheelers dock, entertainers perform, contests are held and everything from a chili cookoff to a duck derby are featured - will get underway Thursday, Sept. 13.

Sure to liven up Pomeroy's riverfront, activities begin at 6 p.m. with an opening ceremony to be held near the stage area on the upper parking lot. That will be followed by the traditional parade of area fire equipment to include the most modern and efficient vehicles to those of antique style, some restored, others not.

Thursday night's festivities will conclude with a three-hour performance beginning at 7 p.m. by Warner Road, singing everything from rock and country to gospel.

The Friday entertainment schedule begins at 1 p.m. with a program by the Meigs High School Band and Flag Corps directed by Toney Dingess. Evening entertainment will feature Still Standing from 5:30 to 7 p.m. playing classic rock and country, Paul Doeffinger from 7 to 8:30 p.m., doing country and popular songs, and BIG Wiggle from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. playing rock.

Kicking off Saturday's events will be a second parade at 10 a.m. and is for anything and everything except fire equipment. Units are invited to just “show up” at 9:30 a.m. on the old Pomeroy Junior High School lot where the lineup will take place. Chairman Dingess encourages entries - horses, floats, antique cars and trucks, walking units, clowns and decorated bicycles.

While in the past decorated bicycles have always been a part of the parade, this year bicycles are being featured and will be judged with prizes to go to the winners. Bicyclists will travel from the field to the lower parking lot where the judging will take place and an awards ceremony will be held.

Sidewalk chalk drawings are included in the lineup of kid activities again this year. Young artists, ages up to 12, will meet at the upper stage area at 11 a.m. where they will be given chalk and assigned space on the sidewalk in front of Main Street merchants to do creative drawings.

Something new this year will be a cornhole toss to take place at noon on Saturday. The fee is $20 per team to enter the tournament, which begins at noon at the upper stage area. Prizes will be given for the best two teams.

Also new this year will be a showcase of talent to include two young local bands in the amphitheater. Performing from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday will be (JFK) Just for Kicks, and Missing in Affection (MIA). A teen dance will be held on Saturday night with Rockin' Reggie DJ from 7 to 10 p.m. on the lower parking lot. There will be dancing contests with prizes to go to the winners. Another afternoon feature will be the ever-energetic Big Bend Cloggers at 1:30 p.m.

The local band Law of Attraction will perform from 4:30 to 6 p.m.; Bud Carroll and the Southern Souls from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and Insured Sound will wrapup the festival music with a performance in the amphitheater from 8 to 11:30 p.m. taking a break at 9 p.m. for the traditional fireworks display.

The scene down by the river this weekend will be one of a dozen or more sternwheelers and numerous pleasure boats lining the docking area at the levee, vendors hawking their wares, food booths serving tasty treats to eat, lively activities for the young and old alike, and music filling the air.