Experience RiverFest 2026: History, Fun & Family Activities

RiverFest returns to the Susquehanna this June with a full weekend of history, recreation, tours, music, food, and family-friendly activities along both sides of the river.

Presented by the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, RiverFest celebrates the stories, landscapes, and traditions that connect Lancaster and York Counties. This year’s festival is especially meaningful as the region marks America’s 250th Anniversary and prepares to light all 26 historic bridge piers across the Susquehanna.

And I’m excited to share that Uncharted Lancaster will be part of the fun.

Come See Uncharted Lancaster at the Outdoor Recreation Expo

I’ll be set up at the RiverFest Outdoor Recreation Expo on Saturday, June 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, located at 41 Walnut Street in Columbia.

Stop by the Uncharted Lancaster booth to say hello, talk local history, and check out my books and other Uncharted Lancaster merchandise. I’ll have copies of my books available for sale, along with additional merch for anyone who loves exploring the hidden history, legends, and forgotten places of Lancaster County and the Susquehanna River region.

The Outdoor Recreation Expo is a free RiverFest event and a great chance to find a new hobby, learn about volunteer opportunities, connect with local outdoor organizations, and plan your next river adventure. New this year, the Expo will also feature recreation demos and hands-on clinics from local outdoor partners throughout the day.

There will also be food trucks nearby, and visitors can watch the Bridge Burner Challenge racers as they take on one of the weekend’s most exciting events.

The Bridge Burner Challenge

The Bridge Burner Challenge kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Racers will run along the Northwest River Trail and paddle across the Susquehanna, bringing plenty of energy and excitement to Columbia River Park.

If you’re planning to come out for the race, the Expo, or just a morning by the river, make sure to stop by the Uncharted Lancaster booth while you’re there.

A Weekend Full of River History

RiverFest is held on the anniversary of the burning of the massive wooden covered bridge across the Susquehanna during the Civil War. In the summer of 1863, local communities came together to defend this important crossing, a vital link for goods, people, and communication.

Today, RiverFest honors that history while also celebrating the Susquehanna as a place for recreation, storytelling, discovery, and community.

Across the weekend, RiverFest will feature walking tours, van tours, boat tours, museum activities, living history programs, scavenger hunts, music, food trucks, and special programs connected to Columbia, Wrightsville, Marietta, Historic Mifflin Farm, and the river itself.

Highlights include Underground Railroad tours, Columbia architectural walking tours, Flames Across the Susquehanna boat tours, Historic Wrightsville museum activities, the Burning of the Bridge Diorama, historic cemetery tours, and more.

The weekend concludes Sunday evening with the RiverFest Finale, when all 26 historic bridge piers across the Susquehanna will be lit at 7:45 p.m.

Event Details

Uncharted Lancaster at the RiverFest Outdoor Recreation Expo
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut Street, Columbia, PA
What to expect: Books, Uncharted Lancaster merch, outdoor recreation vendors, food trucks, demos, hands-on clinics, and the Bridge Burner Challenge

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Visitor parking is available at Front and Locust Streets in Columbia. For the full RiverFest schedule, tickets, and event details, visit RiverFestPA.com.

I hope to see you by the river on June 27!

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