The island where explorer John Wesley Powell launched his two groundbreaking explorations of the Green and Colorado rivers in the 1800s will be the site this weekend for Green River’s official final party of the summer.
River Festival, now in its 18th year, will feature live music, a marathon, a shrimp boil and much more, all offered on Expedition Island on Friday and Saturday.
The festival sponsored by the Green River Chamber of Commerce is the city’s way to say farewell to summer, said Lisa Herrera of the chamber.
“It’s the last hurrah of summer before the fall season hits us,” she said. “It’s a good time.”
Powell launched his expeditions of 1869 and 1871 from the island and today, it is a 7-acre city park.
Activities at the park this weekend will begin Friday with a shrimp boil and spaghetti dinner, a “Micro Brew Beer Garden,” craft vendors, fireworks and live music by the band NoWhere Fast.
Saturday morning will begin with a pancake breakfast and the “Run with the Horses Marathon,” a run that will take participants from Expedition Island along the area’s Wild Horse Loop Tour and back.
“There’s a real good chance you will see wild horses up there,” Herrera said.
The marathon draws people from around the world, this year including a 64-year-old woman taking part in her 307th marathon.
The “Micro Brew Beer Garden” will be open through the weekend, as will the craft vendor booths.
Other activities on Saturday will include a car and bike show, a dog fetching competition, a “duck race” — where toy ducks are released on the Green River — and a horseshoe tournament.
For more information on the River Festival, visit the chamber’s website at GRChamber.com.
