RiverFest is a grand celebration of the Santa Fe River and is a combination of fundraiser and the honoring of the river by the generation of new songs about it. This tradition was started in 2010 by Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, then president of OSFR, when she discovered that there were no recorded songs about the river. We now have well over 100 songs and heading toward 200.
Earlier RiverFest events were held in High Springs but it has now found a home at Rum 138 with its great soundstage and facilities with lots of space for vendors and tablers.
OSFR is grateful to Rum 138 for the use of its venue each year.
The following photos attempt to give some idea of the festivities enjoyed by the crowd on a sunny, warm spring day in North Florida.
The contestants
Yesterday’s post presented the three winners, listed here once more with photos from Merrillee.
Daniel Stepp Billy Ennis
Jared Rick Guerry
Jim Hearn Ray Myers
Mountain Haze Rick Ryan
Caitlyn Vinci Larry Condra
Ted McVey Tommy Stone
d
Mike Manetz Larry Hooper
Volunteers
Some were missed and my apologies
Bill Basta Dani Lee
Terry Phelan, Maryann Smith Cathy Messersmith
Terry Phelan Jackie Hart, Lisa Blythe, lost name, sorry, Sharon Yeago
Marian Moss, Patty Street, David Vaina
Video production and editing by Doug Jipson, with Kirk Moss
Lisa Blythe and Joanne Tremblay
Friends and Supporters
Hilda Gilchrist, Toni Macintosh Laura Dailey
Sanna Saare selling beverages Amigos Dive Center owner Wayne Kinard and Karen Mullins
Walter Bickmeyer with Gracie
Supporting Tablers
Joanne Tremblay, Scotti Jay (backs turned) Suwannee RiverKeeper John Quarterman, Sierra Club Sarah Younger
Hailey Hall, in for Rick Copeland
Far left John Quarterman Suwannee RiverKeeper, on the right are Brenda Wells and Ryan Smart, Florida Springs Council
Trini Johanessen of Parknership
Judges left to right; Tom Machnik, Nicole Tart, Carol V. Richardson
Mermaid Danielle Shmalberg with admirers
Song contest founder Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson and MC E. Stanley Richardson
Our Santa Fe River (OSFR) RiverFest Pictorial Essay of 2023 is now in the record books! It is FABULOUS.
RiverFest, started by Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson in 2020, has helped to establish recorded songs about the Santa Fe River. RiverFest is now held at Rum 138 with a great soundstage, vendor, and tabler facilities. The posted photos of the 2023 winning contestants are great! The volunteer photos are great! The friends, supporters, and tablers photos are great! OSFR is great! KEEP THE MAGIC COMING!