Wilmington Riverfest, located on the riverfront in downtown Wilmington, is a street festival that is held annually on the first weekend in October. The first Riverfest was held in 1979 when a few Wilmington locals felt that the downtown architecture and beautiful river were underappreciated. They wanted to remind visitors and the people of Wilmington of all the amazing things the riverfront had to offer. Riverfest was such a success its first year that the budget and resources of the event were greatly expanded to create the huge event we have each year.
http://www.wilmingtonriverfest.com/history.html
This year’s Riverfest was held on the weekend of October 3rd-5th. It stretched from the foot of Market Street all the way to Cape Fear Community College. Riverfest now lasts three days and this year’s festival brought roughly a quarter-million visitors to the riverfront festivities. Wilmington officials decided to expand Riverfest all the way down Water Street to Chandler’s Warf, making the festival even bigger and better this year. Some of the attractions this year included 200 craft and food vendors, fireworks, entertainment on two stages, the Great Waiters Wine Race and Run the River 8k race.
Even on the days that Wilmington isn’t holding big festivals downtown, the riverfront is still an incredible place to spend the day or the evening. With a variety of attractions, a beautiful view and a welcoming atmosphere, it is no surprise that the riverfront is now in the running for one of the best in America. USA Today is running the “Best Riverfront in America” contest, which takes into account all of the aspects that makes Wilmington, and other riverfronts, great. Wilmington is running against larger cities with bigger riverfronts, so take a minute and cast your vote today!
Place your vote here: http://bit.ly/1ru88I9