August 16, 2003
River Festival holds something for everyone
By Melissa Brown
The Daily Item
SUNBURY — From rock bands to children’s sprinklers to
female wrestling stars — there was something for everyone
Friday night at River Festival.
Children cooled off under the sprinklers at the "Kid’s
Night Out" at Oppenheimer Pleasure Grounds from 6 to 8 p.m.
Parents and children alike enjoyed free hot dogs for dinner
and pony rides on the basketball court. But with the blazing
heat early in the evening, most children spent their time
running back and forth in the park’s sprinklers.
Michele and Leo Hill of New Columbia brought their two
daughters, Cayce, 7, and Kylee, 2, to play in the water.
"They like to get wet and go down the slides. It makes
it more slippery," Michele said as she and Leo stood around
the edge of the sprinkler area.
Other parents stood near the sprinklers too while their
children played. Lisa Costa of Halifax, formerly of Sunbury,
said her two daughters "spent most of their time in the
water." The girls, Shannon, 7, and Allison, 6, came there
with their mother and grandmother, Ada Newman of Sunbury.
"It’s a great day for it," said Chris Beaver of Danville
about the sprinklers. Her children, Taryn, 9, and Brett,
6, brought two friends with them.
At Cameron Park, people formed long lines around the Civil
War monument to meet Lita of World Wrestling Entertainment.
Lita fan Michelle Dampman, 29, of Sunbury, was excited to
meet the wrestling star after waiting in line. Dampman said
everyone only got 10 seconds to meet Lita but she did get
an autographed picture.
"She’s cool," Dampman said. "I asked her if she was going
to be on TV again and she said ‘yes.’"
"She’s my only favorite female wrestler."
Donald and Charlotte Gaugler of Sunbury came to River Festival
for different reasons. They were there for their son-in-law,
Sam Zechman of RD 2 Selinsgrove, who is in dire need of
a heart transplant. Friends of Zechman had a sandwich stand
to help raise money for an operation.
Carol Chamberlain, 63, of Sunbury, said she has been to
River Festival every day so far and has enjoyed the entertainment.
"I liked that children’s pageant they had Wednesday night.
Oh my gosh, I thought that was great," Chamberlain said
of the Little Miss and Mr. River Festival pageant. She also
enjoyed country singer Jacqualee Reich Thursday night.
Chamberlain came to River Festival Friday night with friend
John Ebersole of Trevorton.
"I took a vacation day to come down here," said Ebersole,
who works third shift.
Of course, no one can come to River Festival without sampling
the food. Chamberlain and Ebersole said they walked around
and ate Friday before band Jesse performed. Chamberlain
said she particularly liked the soft ice cream.
Saturday will be "the big day," Chamberlain said. She and
Ebersole planned to come out and check out the craft stands.
"It’s gone great. We’ve been really pleased with the turnout,
the crowds, the volunteers. It’s been going very well,"
said Patty Carter, River Festival committee member from
The Daily Item.
Carter also said Saturday will have lots of musical entertainment
on three stages at Cameron Park, Chestnut Street and Arch
Street. River City Band, Don Shappelle and Tiger Tattoo
will be some of the musical performers.
An antique car show and a boat parade at 10 p.m. also will
be held. The Augusta regiment will have an historic encampment
behind the Clay Wolverton House at Arch and Front streets,
Carter said. There will be games, a train ride and bounce
house for children as well. River Festival events run from
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
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