Reconnect with the river and journey to Riverfest on the banks of the Wilson’s River this Saturday, September 7, from 11am until 4pm.

Bring friends, family and a picnic - settle in for music, entertainment, open mic poetry, information stalls and displays – or try kayaking down the river with the canoe club.

Organised by Lismore Helping Hands - a grassroots community group that coordinated community recovery efforts after the floods in 2017 - Riverfest brings community together in celebration of our ongoing connection to our local Wilson’s River. 

Elly Bird from Lismore Helping Hands said the day was organised in collaboration with many local groups.

 “We have partnered with Wilson River Landcare, Northern Rivers Science Hub, The SES, Red Cross, Lismore City Council, Richmond River Historical Society, and the Far North Coast Canoe Club to pull together a great program on the day,” Elly said.

“There will be live music on the River Stage with Ben Wilson, Sara Tindley, The Romaniacs (featuring Amanda Shoebridge) and Mykaela. 

“There will also be SES river displays, information stalls, kids activities, art workshops, great food and good coffee and a River Talks speakers tent with informative and interesting presentations about our river system."

There will even be an open mic section on the main stage at 2.30pm – so bring your spoken word pieces and poetry and share your ideas with the community.

“This event is plastic free and we are asking people to bring their own water bottles, bring a picnic rug and settle in for the day,” Elly said.

“We’re really excited about Riverfest because it gives us a chance to learn more about what it means to live on a flood plain. There’s a rich and long history of people living, working and connecting to culture along the Wilson River and we want to celebrate that.

“By providing opportunities for our community to build a stronger connection to place, and learn more about what it means to live on a flood plain, we can also increase community resilience and disaster preparedness.

“Lismore City SES are looking forward to being part of Riverfest on Saturday, we are planning a river rescue display so that people can see our volunteers in action."

Lismore City SES unit commander John Ludlow said they will also have a range of information about flood and safety awareness.

Wilson River Landcare volunteer Kristin Den Exter said “having a little festival like this is a great way for people to come and share stories, and connect with the river”.

“We have to embrace that we live on a flood plain,” Kristen said.

“It’s the confluence of two different catchments coming together and we can never change that. 

“Our amazing wetlands and floodplains need those floods, but it causes us stress. 

“We know that good planning and understanding our environment can reduce that stress.

“I think the best way to fall in love with our river is by getting out onto it, and if you haven’t been out for a paddle before then Riverfest is a great time to have a go."

Far North Coast Canoe Club will be there on Saturday and Kristen said people can have a go in one of their kayaks. 

“The Club is also holding the Wilson River Challenge on Sunday from 10am, which will be finishing with a Splash for Cash 500m race at midday,” Kristen said.

“You can catch all the action at the old Rowing Club carpark.” 

Riverfest has been funded by The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) through their ‘Restore-Repair-Renew’ grant. 

“We are incredibly grateful to FRRR for their support and for the great work they do with Regional and Rural communities across,” Elly said.

What: Riverfest: Our River, Our Community

When: Saturday 7th September, 10am - 4pm

Where: Riverside Park, Victoria St, Lismore, near the Boat Ramp

More Info: facebook.com/resilientlismore