Did You Know Skowhegan’s ‘River Fest’ Features ‘Bed Races’?

If you are looking for a fun August road trip, this just might fit the bill!

The idea of racing a bed down the middle of Main Street in Skowhegan, for a $500 cash prize, sounds like a ton of fun, doesn’t it? That is just one of the many events happening next month.

The annual River Fest 2022 in Skowhegan, will take place from August 4th-August-7th. River Fest is Skowhegan's annual multi-day celebration of recreation and life on the Kennebec.

To say this is a jam-packed event would be an understatement! Here are some of the highlights you can look forward to.

Friday, August 5, 2022:

Move More Kids 5K Run, Walk, Race
7:15 a.m., Coburn Park

Fly Fishing Clinic
Noon, Lake George Regional Park

The Fossils
5-8 p.m., Bigelow Brewing

Enjoy music on the hill with local food and a brew!

Moonlight Madness
5:30-10 p.m., Water and Commercial Street

New this year, they have added axe throwing, as well as the famous bed races (with $500 on the line for the winner, a climbing wall, a bounce house, yard games, and other. Live music will begin at 7:30 with the River Bottom Funk Bank — a fundraiser for the Skowhegan Fire Association. Enjoy dinner from a variety of food trucks

River-Themed Trivia with Mary
6 p.m. Start, Bloomfield’s Tavern

Bed Races
7 p.m., Water Street
Hosted by Skowhegan Parks & Rec, teams of five compete head-to-head in this madcap event by pushing beds on caster wheels down Water StreetKing’s Night Out

Saturday, August 6, 2022:

Skowhegan Farmers’ Market
9 a.m.-1 p.m., Somerset Grist Mill parking lot, Court Street

Family Fun Day Activities
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Municipal Parking Lot

Activities include rock-wall climbing, river rock painting, a watermelon-eating contest, and more.
9 a.m.- 3 p.m., Riverfront Greenspace Enjoy games by the river, including cornhole, Jenga, Connect 4, and Checkers.

Vendor Fair
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Municipal Parking Lot.

Inflatable Kayaks & Raft Rides through the Gorge
11 a.m., Skowhegan Gorge

Middle Ground
5-8 p.m., Bigelow Brewing
Check out live music from Middle Ground

Dinner in the Park
5-10 p.m., Coburn Park
Enjoy an outdoor dining experience and a sky lit up with fireworks. The evening will include a cocktail hour, a buffet dinner, a live auction, live music, and fireworks over the river.

King’s Night Out
8 p.m., Lakewood Theater

Kennebec on Fire Sculpture Lighting
8 p.m,. Great Eddy
Skowhegan’s Kennebec on Fire installation — five metal sculptures with fire braziers — will be lit for the evening view!

Fireworks
9 p.m., Great Eddy
View this spectacular River Fest fireworks display River Bottom Funk Band

9 p.m., Bloomfield’s Tavern
Dance the night away to New Orleans soul, rock, funk, and disco music with the River Bottom Funk Band

Sunday, August 7, 2022:

Merry-Go-Roundup
5-6:15 p.m., Coburn Park
Enjoy live music & desserts in the park