September’s Riverfest with its call to “Rally by the River” where sternwheelers dock, entertainers perform, river cruises are held and everything from a talent contest to a chili cook-off are featured, is sure to liven up Pomeroy’s riverfront beginning on Thursday and ending on Saturday night.

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POMEROY — September’s Riverfest with its call to “Rally by the River” where sternwheelers dock, entertainers perform, river cruises are held and everything from a talent contest to a chili cook-off are featured, is sure to liven up Pomeroy’s riverfront beginning on Thursday and ending on Saturday night.

Activities kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday with an opening ceremony by Drew Webster Post 39, American Legion, followed by a parade of firetrucks from across the Bend area. Evening entertainers will be Dale Kulchar and Chad Dodson and ” Still Standing.”

Again this year the Sternwheel Ruble will be providing cruises on the river. Two special cruises are included this year. On Tuesday (9-11) as a special tribute to firemen everywhere there will be a cruise for Bend area firemen as a gift in appreciation for their dedication. Brenda Roush, festival co-chair, says nine tickets are being issued to each fire chief who will then distribute them to firemen in his department.

The other special cruise will be for senior citizens and their guests at the special price of $4 each. It will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday. On that cruise will be entertainers, Jeff Seager, a musician from Charleston, W. Va., Suzanne Holstein, “Granny Sue,” of Ripley, W.Va., and Donna Wilson of Middleport, storytellers. The three will also present a program in the amphitheater at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The artists are part of the Stories by the River’s Edge program partially funded by the Ohio River Border Initiative.

On the schedule are four public cruises with the Ruble leaving the levee at 1, 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Friday. There are six on Saturday, beginning at 12:30, and ending at 8 p.m. with the fireworks cruise.

Friday’s entertainers will be Southbound Band from 6 to 8 p.m. and Southern Accent from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday’s lineup of entertainment includes singer/songwriter Mindy Fraasch, Insured Sound, Chase Likens, the Point Pleasant lad of American Idol fame. Wrapping up the festival following the fireworks will be music by “Home Town,” Gary Ellis and his band from Columbus.

Again this year the festival will feature “We’ve Got Talent” competitions for adults on Friday at 8 p.m. and for kids up to 18 on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. with cash prizes for the winners. The traditional Saturday night teen dance on the lower parking lot with Rockin’ Reggie will begin at 7 p.m. There will be bounce houses and carnival rides along with special activities for kids on both days.

Announcement of the winners in the chili cook-off will be made at 1 p.m. just as the Pomeroy Merchants Association’s annual duck derby gets underway. Tickets for the derby will remain on sale until noon Saturday. This year there will be a 50-50 split of ticket sale proceeds going to the owner of the duck which crosses the finish line first.

The popular men’s sexy leg contest will be held at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday with trophies and cash prizes being awarded.

A balloon launch in memory of Ann Layne who handled the line throwing contest at the festival for many years and others who passed during the year will be held on Saturday evening just before the 9 p.m. fireworks display.