RiverFest welcomes new events for 2011

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - IPFW RiverFest 2011 returns this Saturday with lots of new attractions including a Zip Line across the St. Joseph River.

The 500 foot zip line will be located next to the Ron Venderly Family Bridge.  It will be open from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. on Saturday with rides costing $15.

While the zip line, music, fireworks, food and fun activities may be what brings people to the IPFW campus for the event, RiverFest is really about teaching people about the rivers in Fort Wayne and Allen County, and the quality of water all over northeast Indiana.

RiverFest 2011 also features the inaugural Artist’s Rockin’ Chair Auction, in which eight rocking chairs, decorated by local artists, will be available in a silent auction, with the highest bidders announced Saturday night at 8 p.m.

RockFest will turn up the volume on 14 of Fort Wayne’s best and most entertaining bands. It’s going to be an afternoon and evening jam-packed with the best of pop, rock, and classic rock bands from this area. Two stages will allow the music to keep flowing for a non-stop concert event with the St. Joseph River serving as the backdrop. As midnight grows near, the fabulous music will be joined by the thunder and pyrotechnics of the Lutheran Health Network fireworks display as it illuminates the sky.

There will also be a boat show, KidsFest and much more.

Be sure to say hello to NewsChannel 15 personalities who will be broadcasting live throughout the day to bring viewers highlights from the event.   For a downloadable map of the RiverFest layout, click here.