Burkesville has long been described as “The Best Kept Secret in Kentucky.” We’re proud of our pristine surroundings, but the word is out – River Festivus has put Burkesville back on the map!
River Festivus was created seven years ago as part of a community effort to designate Burkesville as a certified Kentucky Trail Town, and what better way to do that than to celebrate one of our greatest assets – the mighty Cumberland River – which flows right through our downtown.
This annual two-day event seeks to attract tourists to the area, showcase the natural beauty of our county (and Kentucky as a whole), spur the local economy, and give visitors a taste of down-home Appalachian foothills hospitality. We offer attendees the chance to race down the river in our Mighty Cumberland River Run (an American Canoe Association sanctioned race that draws kayakers, canoers, paddleboarders, and adrenaline junkies from all over the U.S.), catch the biggest trout in the Trout Fishing Capital of the World, climb the infamous Alpine Hill in our Run for the Hills 5K/10K, take a more leisurely pace down the river as part of our Festivus Float, celebrate Appalachian culture with a Cross Cut Saw Competition and Catfish Wrangling, and enjoy some great music with our (FREE!) Battle of the Bands and headliner concerts – this year with THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND! Seeking an adventure? New to River Festivus in 2024 is the Festivus Fun Run – an “Amazing Race”-style quest that will take competitors from the banks of the mighty Cumberland into the hills and hollows of our stunning surroundings to find clues, solve puzzles, and complete wild, family-friendly challenges! We also feature a vendor market full of local artisans, crafters, small businesses, and delicious food from around the region, as well as a full-service beer garden provided by our very own Southern Kentucky Distillery. There’s something for everyone – it is a fun-filled, can’t-miss weekend!
River Festivus has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. What started as a humble kayak race has blossomed into a booming event that draws thousands of people from all over the U.S. each year! But none of it would be possible without the help of our wonderful, generous community – River Festivus is entirely donation-funded by a rural county with a population of less than 6,500 – people who love this state and this community as much as we do and seek to help our fellow Kentuckians flourish. Burkesville is truly a special place to call home! Come see for yourself this summer! Meet us on the banks of the mighty Cumberland, August 16-17, 2024, and find out why life on the river is the life we love!
RIVER FESTIVUS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
12:00pm-8:00pm River Festivus Event Registration Open
RF Headquarters Tent Veterans Memorial Park Upper River St
3:00pm River Festivus Fun Run Take-Off
Southern Field, Veterans Memorial Park
4:00pm River Festivus Vendors Open
Veterans Memorial Park Upper River St
6:00pm River Festivus Battle of the Bands
Southern Kentucky Distillery Stage
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
7:30am 5K/10K Registration, Race 8:00am
Cumberland Co Welcome Ctr 111 Hill St
9:00am 12 Mile River Run/9:30am 7 Mile River Run
1304 Bakerton Ferry Rd
10:00am Vendors Open
Veterans Memorial Park Upper River St
10:00am/4:00pm Riverboat Revue
Cumberland Queen Riverboat Stage Veterans Memorial Park
10:30am Festivus Float
Burkesville Boat Ramp
10:00am-4:00pm Cruise-In
Upper River St
11:00am Borderline Line Dancers
Paul Smith Stage
12:00pm Backroads Jeep Ride
Living Word Church 173 Living Word Drive
1:00pm Cross Cut Saw Competition/Catfish Wrangling
Veterans Memorial Park
2:00pm Dry Land Boat Race
Veterans Memorial Park
6:00pm Battle of the Bands Champion
Southern Kentucky Distillery Stage
8:00pm The Marshall Tucker Band
Southern Kentucky Distillery Stage
-submitted by River Festivus
Facebook.com/Riverfestivus