The 6th Annual Wild and Scenic Red River Fest is coming to Clay City Park May 18 and 19, with a preparty event May 17. Organizers said the weekend will include a variety of activities for both children and adults. There will be live music, vendors, a silent auction, and much more.
Although the event is free, proceeds will be collected from boat rentals, a silent auction, and one-dollar beers. The funds will go to Friends of Red River, which heads much of the cleanup involved with the river. Laura Gregory is the Watershed Program Director for Kentucky Waterways Alliance and Board Secretary for Friends of Red River. She said the event is more than just a good time.
“It’s about celebrating this unique river that we have in our area, nationally protected, wild, and scenic river; and it’s all about clean water. The Red River is where a lot of people get their drinking water, and we just want to make sure that it’s clean water,” said Gregory.
Outside of the many other activities available, there will also be fun-float launches on a four-mile loop of the river. Officials said canoes and kayaks are the best watercraft to use on the river, and boats will be available for rent. Gregory said there is plenty of wildlife to be seen along the route.
“In this section, you’ve got turtles, and herons, and different fish species, and muscles, and it’s different every time you go. Those are some of the common ones,” said Gregory.
Gregory said Friends of Red River will use the festival proceeds to continue cleanup and conservation projects along the river as well as installing new river access points for people to enjoy. She said she hopes that when people get out and enjoy themselves on the water, they will become stewards of the river and want to protect it.