Rockingham County has its pick of festivals, music and more this weekend

Celebrate by the water at the summer's end, whether it's on the river in Eden or at Lake Reidsville during Eden's 5th Annual RiverFest or the 7th Annual Stone Soul Picnic. A hard rock concert and a nonprofit's annual community fundraiser are other options this weekend.

5th Annual RiverFest

RiverFest coordinators expect unprecedented crowds at this year's Eden festival.

"I think all the elements are coming together to produce record numbers," said Cindy Adams, Eden's coordinator of tourism and special events. She estimated 12,000 people packed the streets of the Olde Leaksville Shopping District last year.

"The weather's going to be perfect. We couldn't have prayed to get a better weather forecast," said Peggy Good, president of the Olde Leaksville Merchants' Association.

Adams said 86 artisans, crafters and civic clubs and 30 food vendors will line the downtown streets at this year's RiverFest. That's not including the Kids' Zone and the exhibitors at the River Village, a new addition this year.

"We really want to live up to our name, which is RiverFest," said Adams. The city has partnered with Three Rivers Outfitters and the Dan River Basin Association to offer more activities on and near the river.

"Three Rivers Outfitters is providing three opportunities to get out on the rivers," said Adams. "We want people to know that these will be guided and they'll be safe."

The Dan River Basin Association will offer a host of children's activities at the river Saturday, and the Disabled American Veterans will serve their "famous" stew at the Leaksville Landing.

"We're trying to bridge that gap between the street and the river and trying to make them one," said Adams. Two stages of entertainment, special deals at the downtown stores, a car show, an antique-engine exhibit and a variety of arts and crafts vendors are some of the offerings on the streets of Olde Leaksville during the festival.

Adams said RiverFest has a "wonderful slate of talented musicians" to entertain the crowds. One of those groups is Ron Martin & Friends, a local group that has written a song about Eden - "Bordertown."

One of the largest draws at RiverFest is headliner and country star Trent Tomlinson.

"He's a big name in the country music world, so we're fortunate to have him," said Adams. "We have people coming from several states away to see him. He brings a lot of energy to the stage, so a lot of people are looking forward to it. I believe Saturday night will be a phenomenal crowd."

Without the help of the sponsors and the downtown merchants, RiverFest would not be the "premier festival" it is, said Adams. Mike Dougherty, Eden's director of business development, said festival coordinators work hard to make the event better each year.

"We want it to be the signature event of Rockingham County," he said. One of the major objectives is to promote downtown revitalization. The downtown merchants have been a driving force behind RiverFest.

"The merchants have really gone out of their way to support this. They've really gotten behind it," said Dougherty.

"It's nice seeing the crowds. I think the crowd's been growing every year," said Tom Barbour, owner of Barbour Studio & Gallery on Washington Street. He hopes RiverFest will give the local economy a boost.

"I think this is something people need - getting out and seeing some activity," said Barbour. His studio and gallery will be open and a friend, Ryan Eicher of Silver Springs, Md., will demonstrate the process of blowing glass.

Ella McBride-Chatham, owner of Riverhouse Gift & Gourmet on Washington Street, is "looking forward to seeing a lot of folks." Friend Debbie Dishmon will have mosaic tile coffee tables for sale.

"People can do early Christmas shopping," she said. She hopes to get some first-time customers who might not have known there was a gift and gourmet store in Eden. Riverhouse Gift & Gourmet opened a month after last year's RiverFest.

Marty Wall, owner of House of Health, looks forward to celebrating RiverFest for the first time in the store's new, expanded space at 641 Washington St.

"It's a great way to advertise your business to 15,000 people who might not have seen you," said Wall. "It helps get people downtown. We're here and things are looking up for the downtown area."

Wall has joined several other businesses in decorating his window in a river theme.

"I'm just trying to get in the spirit of it, playing on the river theme, using batteaux to transport product, and in this case, it's vitamins," he said. He used scrap pieces from store renovations to make the display. Wall's 8-year-old daughter, Avery, enjoyed using Barbie dolls to help create the window display. She looks forward to the activities in the Kids' Zone.

"It's a lot of fun for the family. We had a really good time last year and expect to this year," said Wall. Among the children's activities this year are pony rides and T-shirt decorating.

RiverFest's begins at 5 p.m. Friday and continues until 10. The festival is 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. For more information about RiverFest, visit www.edenspecialevents.com.

7th Annual Stone Soul Picnic

Get ready for a celebration at Lake Reidsville this weekend during the 7th Annual Stone Soul Picnic.

"It's a fun-filled day for the entire family," said Harry Brown, director of the Reidsville Parks and Recreation Department.

QMG-97.1 does the Stone Soul Picnic in communities throughout North Carolina during the summer. "We put on a first-class event here," said Brown. Lake Reidsville will host the last Stone Soul Picnic of the summer.

"Being the last one of the summer, a lot of people are just looking for something to do as a family," said Ginnie Williams, picnic coordinator. "It's a good family outing."

Williams encourages families to bring a blanket or lawn chairs and have a relaxing, enjoyable day at the lake. She said the games provide fun for the children, and the music appeals to everyone.

Williams expects a large crowd.

"I'm expecting up to 5,000 people," said Williams. "It's been growing every year. There's a faithful following that comes."

The entertainment begins at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. at the amphitheater. The music begins with gospel and ends with "smooth R&B," according to Williams.

"I'm really pleased about the local groups we have," she said. Wilbert Reaves is this year's local featured performer. He takes the stage at 2 p.m. A member of the Bethel Male Chorus, Reaves has branched out as a solo performer and released a gospel CD "Restored."

The Stone Soul Picnic will also feature a gospel group, A.C.T. - Anointed and Called for This Time - under the direction of Eric Callands. "C-Unit," the Rockingham County High School step team, will perform under the direction of Assistant Vice Principal Joan Tatum.

Also on the schedule is a fishing tournament, planned for 9 a.m. to noon, senior bingo at Shelter No. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., old school games, a dance contest and horseshoes and three-on-three basketball tournaments from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for the horseshoe and basketball tournaments is from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Food, crafts and accessory vendors will sell their wares from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"I like to see the community and the surrounding areas all working together in one accord," she said.

Admission is Lake Reidsville's regular $1 gate fee per car. Free tram rides will be available throughout the day. Lake Reidsville is at 630 Waterworks Road.

REMMSCO's 26th Anniversary Party and Annual Community Festival

REMMSCO Inc. will host its 26th Anniversary Party and Annual Community Festival from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at 108 N. Main St., across from the Reidsville City Hall parking lot. The festival is part of the National Recovery Month Celebration - "Join the Voices for Recovery: Real People, Real Recovery."

Among the guest speakers Saturday are N.C. Rep. Nelson Cole, Sheriff Sam Page, Commissioner Harold Bass and clients in the process of recovery from substance abuse. In an awards ceremony, Glenn Washburn will be honored for his years of support to REMMSCO.

Guests at the anniversary party will enjoy live entertainment by local musicians, a free hot dog lunch and birthday cake and children's activities such as a moon bounce, relay race and bean bag toss. Guests will also have a chance to buy a raffle ticket to raise money for REMMSCO. Among the raffle prizes are a $500 gas card, a 32-inch Toshiba HDTV and an Emerald Isle beach vacation. Guests will also have an opportunity to bid on items in a silent auction. Proceeds will go to REMMSCO.

Rockingham County Throwdown

"My Hero is Me" and "Bloodjinn," both hard rock and "screamo" bands, are headlining this year's Rockingham County Throwdown at the Eden Fairgrounds on old N.C. Highway 87. Both bands will take the stage Saturday. Admission to the throwdown is $10 for one day or $15 for both days. Gates will open at 4 p.m. Friday and at noon Saturday.

Chinqua Penn Plantation's Fall Music Series

The Astanza Project will perform at Chinqua Penn Plantation's fall music series Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. The Astanza Project's music fuses a variety of styles, including Latin, jazz, flamenco and gypsy. Admission is free. Chinqua Penn wines, soft drinks and bottled water will be available. Bring a picnic dinner.

Snaketacular 08

Snaketacular '08 at the Natural Science Center of Greensboro will celebrate the reptile world. View Ron Key's collection of rattlesnakes and other pit vipers. Witness the weighing and measuring of Bertha, a Burmese python. The Snaketacular event begins at 10 a.m. and ends 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is included in the Natural Science Center's general admission fee, which is $8 for adults, $7 for children and seniors and free for children under 2. The Natural Science Center is at 4301 Lawndale Drive in Greensboro.

Staff writer Miranda Baines can be reached at mbaines@reidsvillereview.com or 349-4331, ext. 35.