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.