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The Nanticoke Riverfest is a perfect
example of an idea gone crazy.
What started out as an idea by a few friends to go tubing down the
Nanticoke River, has grown into a two-day city-wide celebration.
In 1993, those friends talked with some other friends and decided
to go tubing on the river. The idea got out of control and the
group grew. It’s then that the friends became concerned that more
would join in and safety would be an issue. Tubing down the river
with 10 people is one thing; with 50 or more is another thing all
together.
It’s then that Ron MacArthur, the founder of the Riverfest,
approached George Beauchamp, who was director of the Greater
Seaford Chamber of Commerce at the time, about sponsoring the
Nanticoke Float-In. The chamber jumped in and provided a cookout
for the first float-in participants.
Members of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department provided manpower
on the river to keep an eye on the floaters. About 50 people took
part - and had a great time.
The next year, the event became the Nanticoke Riverfest with a few
booths (and some other sponsors) set up in the area of Water
Street. That was the springboard for the event because it took off
from that point. The float-in doubled in size the second year and
has increased in popularity each year.
The last two years, more than 600 people have participated.
The Riverfest Committee decided that the event should accomplish
two things:
1.
Promote downtown Seaford.
2. Highlight the beautiful Nanticoke River.
A milestone was
reached when the event grew so large that High Street and the area
around Gateway Park in downtown Seaford had to be closed to
traffic to accommodate the large number of vendors and events
taking place.
Also as the event grew, the City of Seaford took over as lead
sponsor of the event providing much-needed manpower and in-kind
services. Shannon Sapna, a former city employee, served as
chairman for several years and the event progressed several
notches under her leadership.
Last year’s event attracted more than 15,000 people. And to think
it started with a few friends wanting to go tubing. |
