On Saturday, June 19, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia will be host to the 12th annual Outdoor Festival and Tim Gavin Down River Race.  The Festival is an annual event to raise money for river and environmental conversation and to raise environmental awareness.  The Festival is used to bring together participants, activists, and enthusiasts of the many outdoor activities in our area including kayakers & canoeists, rafters, hikers, bikers, campers, anglers, climbers, bird watchers and others who share our love and concern for our natural environment.  The event is held to promote the healthy and peaceful enjoyment of everything that this unique area has to offer.  

    The Festival raises money and awareness by hosting a variety of events including the Festival itself, the Tim Gavin Down River Race, the Outdoor Film Festival and Swap Meet, and one or more river cleanups.  Money raised through the events is donated to river and environmental conservation charities to support their ongoing conservation work and research.  Some of the charity beneficiaries include Friends of the Shenandoah River, Friends of the Cheat, Friends of the Blackwater, and the West Virginia Rivers Coalition.  Harpers Ferry is a great day for a day trip (see Old Town Crier March 2010) and the Festival is a worthwhile reason to go.
 
The Tim Gavin Down River Race is dedicated to the memory of white water enthusiast and adventurer Tim Gavin.  Tim was a local kayaker, friend to all, brother, and father who died in a kayaking accident on the Upper Blackwater River in West Virginia in March of 1998.  Tim so loved the rivers and was dedicated to kayaking, that each year this race has become an integral part of the Festival.  The proceeds of the race are for river conservation.

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