The Randy Rogers Band, one of the biggest acts in Texas country music, headlines the Stripes River Fest 2016, which returns to the banks of the Concho River Sept. 16-17 with three concerts, a competitive washer-pitching tournament and a kid’s court with tons of fun activities.

courtesy COSA
courtesy COSA
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Many River Fest activities are free.

Tickets to the Randy Rogers Band concert on Saturday, Sept. 17, are on sale only at roadhousetickets.com. All tickets are general admission and cost $20. VIP packages are available for $60 each. Children 12 and younger will be admitted free.

River Fest’s festivities begin Friday, Sept. 16, with a concert headlined by Tejano artist AJ Castillo, who performs in both Spanish and English. Stefani Montiel and Los Tejanos will open the show, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Bill Aylor Sr. Memorial RiverStage, 18 E. Avenue A, and continues through midnight. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now. The first 200 tickets will be priced at $12; thereafter, tickets will cost $14. They can be purchased at cosatx.us/tickets and at the City’s five outlets: the McNease Convention Center, 501 Rio Concho Drive; Blair’s Western Wear at 4230 Sherwood Way, Pinkie’s Liquor Store at 1415 S. Bryant Blvd., Barbed Wire & Roses in Sunset Mall, and the Goodfellow AFB Event Center Information, Tickets & Tours Office. Tickets are also available by phone at 325-658-6464.

Also Friday and Saturday nights, the Southside Lions Club will host its annual Fiestas Patrias celebrating Mexican independence at El Paseo de Santa Angela, 20 E. Avenue D. The celebration, including food, music and dancing, begins each evening at 6:30 p.m. and will continue until midnight.

River Fest’s fun continues all day Saturday, Sept. 17. Among the offerings will be a morning fun run culminating with a free family concert at the finish line at the RiverStage; Shannon Kids’ Stage performances by local youth groups and doctors; a three-on-three basketball challenge; a golf tournament at Santa Fe Golf Course; a kids court with a petting zoo, pony rides and bounce houses; paddle boating, kayaking and canoeing; and the Vega Washer-Pitching Tournament, along with bocce ball and chess, at The Bosque games court area.

Saturday’s packed lineup includes:

  • 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – Concho River Run. The theme is “Pirates and Mermaids,” with street performers dressed as each along the route. Registration information for the 5K run will be announced July 21. The entry fee will be $15 plus additional fees.  A free family concert will be offered at the finish line at the RiverStage.
  • 10 a.m.-noon – A three-player scramble golf tournament, Santa Fe Golf Course. Registration is $25 per player at the course’s clubhouse at 111W. Veterans Memorial Drive (formerly River Drive).
  • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Six-on-six sand volleyball tournament at The Bosque. The teams will be coed with a minimum of two males and two females on the sand at all times. The cost is $10 per player paid on the day of the event. Registration will be courtside from 9 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Sept. 17, and will be limited to six teams. Play begins at 10 a.m., with cash prizes awarded by San Angelo Host.
  • 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Kids Court, featuring a petting zoo, pony rides, at least seven bounce houses (including two large inflatables), a sandbox and games in the former Neff’s Park area. Unlimited access bracelets will be available for $5.
  • 10 a.m.-7 p.m. – Concessions and vendors in the Neff’s Park area.
  • 10 a.m.-7 p.m. – Bocce ball and chess in The Bosque. Free.
  • 10 a.m.-7 p.m. – Paddleboats can be rented from The Grove, the concession stand in The Bosque for $10.50 for 30 minutes.
  • 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.-7 p.m. – Canoes and Kayaks at Celebration Bridge. The $5 wristband for the kids court includes these rides.
  • 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.Free family concert at the RiverStage following the Concho River Run.
  • 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Three-on-three basketball challenge. Two divisions: for players 16 and older, and for 15 and younger. Registration is $5 per player beginning Sept. 12 at the City’s Recreation offices, 702 S. Chadbourne St., from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays or call 325-657-4450. Registration will be limited to first six teams paid in each age group. Teams may have male and/or female players. Games will be to 15 by ones, double-elimination, winner-take-all. Players will call their own fouls, with the tournament director settling disputes. The tournament director or his designee may call the last couple of games.
  • Noon-6:45 p.m. – Kids Stage performances in the Neff’s area featuring local youth groups, ballet students and high school bands from noon-4 p.m. followed by a kids talent show from 4:15 p.m-6:15 p.m., followed by a musical performance by Shannon doctors 6:15 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
  • Noon-7 p.m. – Live music presented on the Chadbourne Stage under the Chadbourne Street bridge. Free.
    The lineup is: 11:30 a.m.-noon – Mike Rausch and Ron Spears, 12:05 p.m.-12:35 p.m. – Rowdy Richter and T. Gozney Thornton, 12:40 p.m.-1:10 p.m. – Robin Mahon and Ashley Munoz, 1:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m. – Brice Daniels and Satchel Williams, 1:50 p.m.-2:35 p.m. – Vicki Purdy, Tamara Laney and Kim Abel Snell, 2:40 p.m.-3:10 – Hugh Vincent, 3:15 p.m.-4 p.m. – Playground Fink, 4:10-4:55 p.m. – Chad Holloway Band, 5:05 p.m.-6:05 p.m. – The Trials, 6:15 p.m.-7 p.m. – Rockin’ Mambo Zombies.
  • 1 p.m.-3 p.m. – River Raft Race on the Concho River. For more information, call 325-949-3333.
  • 1 p.m.-7 p.m. – Washer-pitching tournament in the games court in The Bosque. Registration is $40 per team. For more information, visit the Vega Washer Pitching Facebook page.
  • 6 p.m.-11:30 p.m. – Randy Rogers Band performs at the RiverStage with special guest Kyle Park opening the show. General admission tickets are $20 at roadhousetickets.com

In the event of inclement weather, the Coliseum will accommodate the concerts. All other events are subject to a schedule change because of weather.

 The first River Fest three years ago celebrated the 100th anniversary of Santa Fe Park and the then-recently completed improvements to the Concho River downtown. The fest proved such a success that it has since continued as an annual affair with the support of the title sponsor, Stripes Convenience Stores.

"We have three aims with River Fest,” Civic Events Director Sidney Walker said. “First, we want to make it bigger and better than last year. Two, we want to grow it into one of San Angelo’s signature events, along with the rodeo and Christmas at Old Fort Concho. We’re well on our way to reaching both of those goals. But the last mission is the most important: We want everyone to come out and have a fantastic time!”

For more information, go to cosatx.us/riverfest.

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