Riverfest Is Back!

The Service League of Cherokee County is excited to bring its Riverfest Arts & Crafts Festival back to Etowah River Park in Canton, on September 25-26. Riverfest started in 1985 as a small arts and crafts show and has grown into the Service League’s largest fundraising event. The festival is a historic cornerstone north Georgia fall weekend activity for families. Now in its 37th year, Riverfest has earned a notable reputation for its family-oriented approach and warm relationship with its vendors and patrons alike.

Since the 36th annual Riverfest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Service League is thrilled to welcome traditional attendees as well as newcomers. After spending more time at home in 2020, people are looking to update their living space, and Riverfest vendors are prepared to delight patrons with unique finds like art, design, decor, clothing, and specialty items you will not find in stores. Riverfest typically hosts 150+ juried arts and crafts vendors, 10-15 food trucks, an entertainment stage full of local talent, and a children’s area with games, prizes, and jump houses. The arts and crafts vendors include handmade woodwork, paintings, soaps, jewelry, and children’s toys.

As the oldest charitable organization in Cherokee County, the Service League exists for one purpose: to help local children in need. Money raised during Riverfest is used to provide children with day-to-day necessities such as food, clothing, dental care, eyeglasses, medical care, rental and utility assistance, and college scholarships. The Service League also provides Christmas gifts for children who live in the Cherokee County School District.

During 2020, the Service League was not able to hold three of its fundraisers, but charitable work continued, and many children and families were helped when they needed it most. Two homeless families were given housing on Thanksgiving Day; two high school students received their first beds; power was restored to many homes where children had no heat this past winter; dozens of children received eye exams and eyeglasses; and several students with severe tooth pain were treated by a dentist. These are just some of the many children who were helped using the funds that were raised by the Service League.

The Service League of Cherokee County is comprised of 100 women who commit to a minimum of 50 hours of annual service for 10 years. The application process begins in early January each year.

Riverfest hours are from 10:00am-6:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am-5:00pm on Sunday. The entry fee is a $5 donation for adults and children ages 11 and older; children 10 and younger are free. For more information about Riverfest or the Service League of Cherokee County, please visit ServiceLeague.net.