Arts & Entertainment

Rivertown Revival Offers Affordable Fun for the Whole Family

On Saturday, July 21 travel back in time to Petaluma's earliest days with a funky, artsy community festival at Steamer Landing

Summertime is all about music festivals in beautiful settings.

But on Saturday, July 21 instead of driving to Mendocino County or the Sierras, Petaluma residents will be treated to one very cool festival right in the center of town.

Rivertown Revival is back for the third year in a row, with a full day of bands, acrobatic performances, an art boat race, $5 weddings and installation art. 

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It’s like a family-friendly version of Burning Man,” says Kelin Backman, the director of the festival, which last year drew more than 8,000 people and this year is expecting up to 10,000. “Or as I like to put it, a place where fun for the entire family doesn’t have to be an oxymoron.”

Entrance to the all-day event is just $5, with $1 from each ticket going to support Friends of the Petaluma River, a local organization working to refurbish the David Yearsley River Heritage Center inside the old Ghiradelli barn at Steamer Landing.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you’ve never attended, the festival draws inspiration from Petaluma’s earliest days as a river town, so period dress from the mid to late 1800s is highly encouraged along with aviator goggles, flouncy umbrellas, ankle boots (see Wikipedia entry on Steampunk subculture.)

Also check out our slideshow from last year for some costume ideas

Besides music, beers and noshing on food from local cafes and restaurants, visitors will also be able to dunk a teacher to raise money for local schools, dance, learn about some awesome community organizations and check out an aerial artist who will finish her routine with a plunge into the Petaluma River. (How does she do it?)

The event kicks off at 11am and continues until 7pm at Steamer Landing Park on the corner of Copeland and D streets. Bicycling or walking to the festival is highly encouraged as is bringing your own water bottle since organizers are going for zero impact. They also want to remind the public that dogs and smoking are not allowed.

For more information, check out the group’s Facebook page. See you at Steamer Landing!

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