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Smith River Fest 2010

Welcome to Smith River Fest

Are you looking for a fun summer getaway? Join us this August in Southern Virginia as we celebrate Smith River Fest 2010!

This event is held on the Smith River in Bassett, Virginia each year. The festival is in it's third year and growing bigger and bigger each time. Featured events include a river race, film festival, guided family fun floats, arts & crafts vendors, kids activities and music.

Keep checking back as more details are added to the site.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, Aug. 26th- 7-8:30 p.m.
Smith River Film Festival
217 East Church Street, Martinsville

Enjoy an evening of thrills, spills and splashes at the Historic Rives Theater. Watch short films showcasing the beauty and fun that area rivers offer and vote for your favorite.

Admission is $7. Proceeds from the event benefit the enhancement and addition of river access points and trails along the Smith River in Martinsville-Henry County. The 2009 event helped fund a new river access at Mitchell Road; now open to the public! Contact 276-634-2592 to submit a film.

Friday, Aug. 27th 7-10:30 p.m.
TGIF Outdoor Concert
65 West Main Street, Martinsville

All paddlers and festival-goers are invited to come to UpTown Martinsville Farmers' Market for an evening of music and dancing with a live performance by 58 West. Admission is $5

Schedule of Events (cont.):

Saturday Aug. 28th 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Smith River Fest Expo
271 Trent Hill Drive, Bassett

Join us of a day of festivities at the North Bassett River Access. While waiting for the release of water set shuttle (shuttle trips are less than ten minutes!), browse through vendor booths and check out the latest in paddling gear offered by local outfitters. Admission is free!

Food vendors will be available and there will even be a free rock climbing wall and bouncy house for the kids!

Bring your gently used recreation gear and accessories so that they can find a new home at the Gear Swap hosted by Friends of Philpott. 10% collected from each sale will benefit the development of a new handicapped accessible park at Bowen's Creek.

8 am to 12 pm- Water Release from Philpott Dam
1058 Philpott Dam Road, Bassett

Once the water is flowing (we recommend waiting until 9 am to get on the river), enjoy a swift ride down the Smith River through six miles of class I/II+ rapids from Philpott Dam to Bassett. Music and food vendors await the paddlers at the end of this first leg.

The fun doesn't stop here- after taking a break at the Bassett River Access, hop back in and enjoy another four miles of paddling to The Great Road River Access.

10:45 am- Smith River Fest Race
Show us what you got as you traverse six miles of class I/II+ rapids on the Smith River from Philpott Dam to Bassett.

1:30 pm- Squirt Sprint Youth Race
Young paddlers can test their skills on a one mile course in Bassett.

2 pm- Family Fun Float
271 Trent Hill Drive, Bassett

Beginner paddlers can sign up for a guided family fun float to be held after the water levels go down. Visit the outfitter booths to sign up.

Check back often for more details!

Sponsoring Organizations:
Henry County Parks & Recreation
Franklin County Department of Tourism
City of Martinsville Parks & Recreation
Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation's Tourism Division
Dan River Basin Association

Event Organizers: