Wayne Allen | Daily Times
Students of Rhythm and Rhinestones perform at that River Days Parade on Saturday.
WAYNE ALLEN
PDT Staff Writer
The River Days Grand Parade was held Saturday morning in downtown Portsmouth. Thousands of people were estimated to have turned out to watch the parade and all of the floats.
The grand marshall for this year parade was all of the past River Days Chairmen. According to released information the decision to name past chairmen the grand marshall was to, honor 50 years of River Days Festival Chairman for their dedicated years of service to the Portsmouth community in making each year of the River Days Festival a success.
Among the past River Days Chairman was Dr. Ray Carson who has been involved with the festival since it’s inception 50 years ago.
Carson joined with his son Dr. Micheal Raies and Chip Maillett to announce the parade at the intersection of Gallia and Waller Streets in Portsmouth.
The late Charles Maillett once announced the parade as well.
“Ray and my dad ended up doing this (announcing the parade) so now we (Maillett and Raies) are the second generation,” Maillett said to those in attendance.
Saturday activities for the festival included the 49th annual Miss River Days Queen Pageant that took place at the Vern Riffe Center For the Arts.
The river front entertainment included the band While We Wait, Hamption Ave., Reagononics and Night Ranger.
Sunday’s activities included the annual Ducky Derby at noon. The Shane Reunion Band will take the river front stage at 5:30 p.m.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the 25th Big Band Reunion Concert will take place in Tracy Park in Portsmouth.
Doc Roc and the Remedies will take the river front stage at 7 p.m. The band Direct Energy will take the river front stage starting at 8:30 p.m.
The annual fireworks show will take place on the river front at 10 p.m.
On Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the 40th annual Antique & Collector Car show will take place on second street in Portsmouth.
For more information about the 50th annual River Days Festival visit the festival on Facebook.
Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.
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