14th Annual River Festival - THANK YOU!

 After months of planning, Sunday of Labor Day weekend had finally arrived. The hard-working River Festival Committee, under the leadership of co-chairs Mary Ann Moffitt and Francie Winnen, was ready. Festival underwriters Dey and Waste Management had written generous checks. Table sponsors had committed to help fund the day. Permits had been granted and contracts signed. The stage was setup in the wee hours of Saturday night, the sound system installed and tested. The barricades were in place. Posters had been distributed and the programs printed.

A small army of volunteers from Dey, Southcorp Wines, Waste Management, The Sea Scouts, Napa Fire Explorers, New Tech High School, Napa County Juvenile Probation, members of Friends, and dedicated Napans, was already at work. Tents and umbrellas were set-up, dinner chairs and tables arranged. Vendors were preparing their food and the fully loaded ice truck was on the scene, a donated generator supplying power to one and all. The sublime juice donated by numerous wineries was ready to be poured. The beer was chilled, and cases and cases of water available in anticipation of a blazingly hot day.

By early afternoon, the “Target Family Afternoon Concert” was set to begin and The Napa High Marching Band members (all 110!) were standing by to strut their stuff. The Napa Valley Yacht Club had organized boats for the Boat Parade. Melissa Caraway and Chef Kelly MacDonald prepared to wow the sponsors with a delicious gourmet dinner by the Wine Train.

Asher Raboy and The Napa Valley Symphony were tuned up and ready to entertain. The Expo staff and Fire Marshall had carefully organized the fireworks show. For all of you who were there, you know the rest. The 14th Annual River Festival was underway! Many thanks to our volunteers and sponsors - and everyone who attended — for helping make this the best River Festival yet. For more details, photographs and a complete listing of all sponsors amd volunteers, see our Fall 2004 Newsletter. It includes an updated overview of our projects and activities as well.

We look forward to seeing you next year at the 15th Annual River Festival, Sunday, September 4, 2005!

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