FOLAR’s 3rd ANNUAL “RIVER FEST”, A FREE OPEN-AIR ENVIRONMENTAL ARTS AND COMMUNITY FESTIVAL, INVITES EVERYONE TO CELEBRATE THE L.A. RIVER
 
Arts offerings to include New Poetry-centered ‘Lewis Lounge’, to Honor FoLAR Founder Lewis MacAdams, and Performers ‘Xipe Totec Dance Company’ and ‘Undecided Future’
 
Ticketed Event…Available Now!

 

Friends of the LA River (FoLAR) invites everyone to its 3rd annual River Fest, a FREE, all-ages, open-air environmental arts and community festival at the scenic LA State Historic Park on Sunday, August 11, 2024 from 3:00pm to 9:00pm.
 
The event will showcase the nexus of nature, climate change, culture, history, people, and the LA River. With heavy emphasis on the arts, River Fest will offer a variety of local artists with live music and dance performances, a visual art gallery, and eco-activities for the whole family. The event will also feature top L.A. food trucks, and a marketplace with 50 booths from local environmental, arts, Indigenous, and partner organizations like Water Replenishment District, REI Co-op, 100 Acre Partnership, and more. While free, registration is required, and tickets will go fast. Registration is now open on FoLAR’s website.
 
Debuting this year is the Lewis Lounge, a tribute to FoLAR founder and poet, Lewis MacAdams, inspired by the flow of both life and the River. Today opens the multigenerational call for poetry, asking “How do you connect to the River?” All submissions will be displayed, some called to read live during a curated poetry jam, hosted by Los Angeles’ famed Mike the Poet Sonksen.
 
"The L.A. River connects so many diverse communities across its 51 miles and River Fest 2024 is about bringing those communities together to celebrate the ways in which the River continues to inspire us. With an incredible lineup of artists, advocates and community members, we hope River Fest will give all Angelenos the chance to experience the L.A. River's unique ability to enhance our collective wellbeing... and to have some fun together along the way,” states Candice Dickens-Russell, FoLAR CEO.
 
The activities at River Fest will share stories of environmental justice, community leadership, challenges faced by the River, and Indigenous perspectives on nature and the River. Highlights include Aztec dance company Xipe Totec, pop soul band Undecided Future, an indie rock/pop band Child Seat (pictured at right) and Los Silverbacks a World Music group that combines Latin and African Rhythms. In addition to the noted festivities, FoLAR’s River Rover, a 38 ft. mobile visitor and education center will be on hand along with FoLAR’s education team.
 
All free general admission tickets for River Fest 2024 cover entrance into the festival, access to this Exhibitor and Artist Village and performances, as well as a complimentary raffle ticket. Food, drinks, art and other items or services offered by River Fest vendors may be purchased at the event. A limited number of VIP tickets are available, providing an all new VIP area with shade, seating, optimal stage viewing, VIP parking, VIP check-in, a VIP gift bag, two drink tickets and five complimentary raffle tickets. All River Fest proceeds will contribute to FoLAR’s year-round K-12 environmental education programs, stewardship events, and local advocacy work.
 
River Fest was created to reflect FoLAR’s values, offering a more equitable and accessible community celebration of both FoLAR and the River that runs through so many of the region’s communities. This ultimately supports FoLAR’s mission to build capacity for communities, students, and future leaders to advocate for nature, climate, and equity on the LA River.
 
FoLAR will be celebrating its 34th annual Great LA River CleanUp this Fall, featuring multiple locations throughout the entire river, with opportunities for everyone to help support the River and make meaningful connections to it.
 
The 2024 River Fest is made possible through major supporters M2O, Niagara Cares, Bank of America, City of Long Beach, REI Co-op, Elysian Valley Arts Collective, Lil Dicky, Stantec, Water Replenishment District, City National Bank, and Athens Services.
 
While the event is FREE, registration is required. To register for River Fest and get more information, please visit https://folar.org/riverfest/. Click here for direct registration.
 
Ride-sharing and use of the Metro’s new regional connector project are encouraged. Limited paid parking will also be available at LA State Historic Park.

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Friends of the Los Angeles River (FOLAR):
Friends of the Los Angeles River is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to build capacity for communities, students, and future leaders to advocate for nature, climate, and equity on the Los Angeles River. FoLAR is a leading force in educating youth, guiding policy, and connecting communities to the River. (folar.org)