Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival 2012!
We are excited to announce the dates for this year’s festival:
August 9-12, 2012.
Mark your calendars and invite your friends for our hometown celebration of road-biking, mountain-biking, paddling, regional craft beer, and rocking music! Stay tuned for further announcements & start working on your human-powered boat design for the 2012 Mighty Muskingum River Raft Race!!!
*updates to website to follow… 2011 info will remain available in the meantime*
And THANK YOU thank you THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the 2011 first annual RTA Festival such a raging success!!
Debuted at the Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival, the Marietta City Trail Map highlights Mariettta City public biking and hiking trails. The River Trail is a 2.5 mi. paved bike path (for biking, walking, running), and all other noted trails are single-track trails open for mountain biking and hiking. We hope that this map will help local and visiting folks alike get out and enjoy the trails that Marietta has to offer! Click on the photo above to link to a printable PDF.
An interview with upper tier RTAfest sponsor Tony Styer of the Marietta Brewing Company. He and James talk about the success of the pre-party and discuss the upcoming events that will take place on the Brewery stage!
Cycling routes!
Wondering what the suggested road & trail bike rides are going to be? Check out the “trails” section of the website. Additional route maps & directions will be available onsite at the Armory during Friday & Saturday daytime. Group rides leave @ 10 am, or pick up directions and head out on your own. Remember! Rides are unsupported. Bring all gear, water, snacks, etc. that you will need.
Local Waterways to Explore
Wondering where you might paddle while you’re in town? Check out this interactive map (also on the “rivers” page of our website www.rtafest.com/rivers) for suggested routes and drop-in & take-out spots:
View Marietta Rivers in a larger map
Here’s how YOU could win a sweet Perception kayak while enjoying a leisurely day shopping in downtown Marietta: *(note that businesses all have copies of the entry form. You may request a form at checkout)
*And stay tuned for announcement of our MEGA RTA drawing. Hint: there’s another kayak to be won, but that’s not the only thing!!!
Inviting Sponsors and Donors…
The River, Trails and Ales Festival is a grassroots nonprofit festival that celebrates community, outdoor recreation, and local business, while showcasing the terrain, environment, and culture that the Mid-Ohio Valley offers. The festival will not be possible without the generous support of organizations and businesses sponsoring the event through financial and/or product donations. If you are interested in becoming a Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival Sponsor, please contact us by email at rtafest@gmail.com, or complete the sponsor form (link below). There are a number of ways to contribute! Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival will also gladly work with you and your organization to create a customized sponsorship package. Click here to download our sponsor form. Questions? Please contact us via email at rtafest@gmail.com. Looking for another way to participate? Consider being a vendor/exhibitor at the festival, or contact us about volunteering!
We are excited to announce that Cadillac Lester and Sacra Via are confirmed to perform the festival! Also confirmed, a special fire performance by The Burning Dawn. Check the “Performers” page for more information about each of these groups.
Stay tuned for more announcements!
In conjunction with the Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival, the weekend of August 13-14 also welcomes the Pygmy Boats Rendezvous. This event allows you the opportunity to paddle/row with Pygmy Boat owners, get some boat building tips, and show off your hand built boat while spending a relaxing weekend in historic Marietta. Please click here for the Marietta Rowing & Cycling Club website for further information and registration.
What’s a Pygmy Boat? For more information on Pygmy Boats, check out their website here.
Also check the “Rivers” page on our website for more photos from the 2009 event!
Start building now! The Mighty Muskingum River Raft Race is your chance to channel your inner Huck Finn and race your hand-built human-powered raft down the Muskingum River. This event is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Lower Muskingum River. The race will take place at 2 pm on Sunday August 14, starting at the Indian Acres Boat Ramp (@ the Washington County Fairgrounds) and finishing at the Harmar Bridge in downtown Marietta. Check-in will begin at 1 pm. Click here for more information, registration, and photos from previous years.
