The annual Cheat River Festival is a celebration of new life, that which comes each Spring and the new life that can be found in the Cheat River watershed. “Cheat Fest” is FOC’s main annual fundraiser which helps us advance our watershed projects and supports the organization’s administrative costs. Rain or shine, Cheat Fest is always a good time!
Cheat Fest 2013 is just around the corner: mark your calendars for May 4th!
The Festival draws thousands of river, music, and art lovers to the shores of the Cheat on the first Saturday in May. Photo by Gabe DeWitt.
From noon till 11:00pm on Saturday, May 4, the festival grounds in Albright, West Virginia will once again transform into a haven for boaters, music lovers, and families. Bands from all over Appalachia entertain crowds with live music all day, while Fest goers browse the Art Market, learn about other non-profit organizations that share the FOC vision, bid on a great array of silent auction goods, buy from a variety of food and merchandise vendors, and above all, help support Friends of the Cheat.
Thanks to Cheat River Outfitters, the climbing wall is back! Photo by Dale Briggs Footage.
Another reason to love Cheat Fest: kids under twelve are free! This year, kids of all ages will congregate at the ever-growing kids tent from noon till 5:00pm for a host of hands-on activities, including acid mine drainage tie-dye (bring a T-shirt!), Star Wars-themed fun (“May the 4th be with you!”), and the Galactic Kids Parade featuring the High Street Jazz Band! Plus, don’t miss the chance to climb to the top: the always popular climbing wall is back!
Festival goers can test their athletic ability by participating in the 5K foot race or the Cheat Canyon “Mass-Occurence” Downriver Race. The Cheat River Festival is always a great demonstration of public support for increased awareness and access to the Cheat River’s outstanding natural and recreational qualities. Get your tickets today!
Cheat Fest 2012 fell on Cinco de Mayo, and our growing number of family attendees got to celebrate in grand style with Cheat themed piñatas, including monster “Ricky” the rainbow trout. Photo by Dale Briggs Footage
Want to be involved? We need volunteers! Please visit our festival volunteer page to sign up. For more information on our most recent Cheat Fest, check out the 2012 Cheat Fest Rewind on our blog, and check back as we update this page with more specific information on this annual celebration of the Cheat River and the work being done to restore it.
Questions? Contact Festival Coordinator Emma Donovan at 304.698.4524 or cheatfest@cheat.org.
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Kingwood, WV 26537-1478 info@cheat.org 304-329-3621 