The Ridgway RiverFest is a family-friendly celebration of the Uncompahgre River, our watershed and river recreation with all-age river races, live music, local food and drink, kids’ activities, watershed educational and cultural programs. The highlight of the day is the infamous “Junk of the Unc” race in which boaters maneuver their craft, constructed from scrap materials not intended for river travel, through whitewater rapids and others’ junk, trying to keep it all intact until the finish line.
RiverFest is produced by the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, a Ouray County nonprofit watershed group dedicated to helping protect the economic, natural, and scenic values of the Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed.
2023 Schedule will be released in May 2023
UPDATED 2022 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
12 noon Festival opens, including Silent Auction and
Booths with giveaways, interactive learning, and more
Food & Dessert by Southern Belle, Sunrise Burritos & Snowbirds Craft Shaved Ice
Beer by Colorado Boy and Margaritas by The Liquor Store
12-12:30 p.m. Race registration & Watershed talk on stage
12:30 p.m. Emcee David LeBlanc introduction & entertainment
12:45 p.m. Safety briefing next to river
1 p.m. Races start on river
1:30-2:15 p.m. Ute cultural presentation by Roland McCook on stage
2:30 p.m. Junk of the Unc competition on river
3 p.m. Announcement of Winners of the River Races, Junk of the Unc and
Uncompahgre River Classic peak flow contest
3-4 p.m. Live music by Jack Hadley Band on stage
3:15 p.m. First Silent Auction Section closes
3:45 p.m. Rubber Ducky registration closes
4 p.m. Rubber Ducky Race on river
4:15 p.m. Live music by Jack Hadley Band on stage
4:15 p.m Second Silent Auction wave closes
5 p.m. Festival closes and sales end for drinks, food, silent auction, etc.
See you next year!
