
RIVER FESTIVUS
Burkesville, Kentucky August 19-20, 2022
ABOUT RIVER FESTIVUS
The River Festivus is a community event that was created to celebrate life on the mighty Cumberland River in Burkesville, Kentucky. This annual multi-day event offers multiple ways to have fun.
To learn more about the River Festivus like and follow "River Festivus" on facebook. Also stay tuned to WKYR 107.9 and this website for updates.
FEATURED EVENTS


As part of River Festivus, Exile will perform following the winner of the battle of the bands contest on August 20th. Admissions is FREE, so invite all your friends and family
One of the feature events during River Festivus is the Mighty Cumberland River Run. This event offers you a chance to race your kayak, canoe, or stand up paddle board on the Cumberland River. Two races are scheduled for August 20th (7 mile and 12 mile). Registration is available at by clicking HERE
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If racing is not your style, join us for the Festivus Float. This event will take place after the 7 mile race gets underway. Invite your friends and make new ones as we float from Bakerton to Burkesville. Those who register will get custom River Festivus gear and are invited to a private event for paddlers after the event. To register for the Festivus Float click HERE
As part of River Festivus, a trout fishing contest will take place on August 20th from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Check-In will take place at the Cumberland River boat ramp in Burkesville off of Upper River Street. The longest trout will receive $200, 2nd longest will receive $75 and 3rd longest will receive $25. The cost to register is $20 per person. Those who register before August 14th will receive a custom River Festivus fishing cap.
To register visit: HERE
The Festivus 5K will feature an adventure up, down, and around Alpine Hill that overlooks the City of Burkesville and the Cumberland River Valley. The Festivus 5K is scheduled for August 20th at 7:00 AM with registration beginning at 8:00 AM. All participants who register by August 1st are guaranteed an event t-shirt. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Cumberland County 4-H Program. To register visit: HERE
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Use a crosscut saw that your grandfather or great grandfather might have used and cut a "cookie" off of a 12 inch diameter log. The fastest time wins a beautiful medallion and bragging rites until next year.
Come and compete in the individual and/or team competition at the 2022 River Festivus. Something for all ages, pre-teen-12 and below, youth-13 to 17 and adult-18 to 100. Teams can be men, women or mixed. Medallions will be awarded in each age group.
Registration will start at 11:30 on August 20th in front of the Veterans Park pavilion. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian signature.
Contact person: Neal Poindexter topneal@aol.com, 270-406-0564
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Subject to change
Check back periodically for updates
FRIDAY AUG. 19
4:00 PM
Vendors Open
Upper River Street and Veterans Memorial Park in Burkesville
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Mighty Cumberland River Run Racers and Festivus Floaters
Packet Pickup and Preregistration
Veterans Memorial Park Pavillion
6:00 PM - BATTLE OF BANDS
SATURDAY AUG 20
8:00 AM
114 Hill Street in Burkesville (in front of the public library)
Check-in/Registration: 7:00 AM
Start Time: 8:00 AM
Awards: 10:30 AM Veterans Memorial Park Stage
9:00 AM
12-mile Mighty Cumberland River Run Kayak Race
1304 Bakerton Ferry Road to 233 Gar Wicker Road
Safety/course meeting: 8:45 AM
Start time: 9:00 AM
Awards and Lunch: 12:00 PM (Cumberland County Fair Board Building beside City Park Pavillion)
9:30 AM
7-mile Mighty Cumberland River Run Kayak Race
1304 Bakerton Ferry Road to 233 Gar Wicker Road
Safety/course meeting: 8:45 AM
Start time: 9:00 AM
Awards and Lunch: 12:00 PM (Cumberland County Fair Board Building beside City Park Pavillion)
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
Burkesville Academy of Fine Arts:
Riverboat Review Showing #1
Riverboat Stage at Veterans Memorial Park
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Festivus Cruise-In
Upper River Street in Burkesville
Registration at 10:00 AM on Upper River Street
Enter to win Door Prizes and Split-the-Pot!
10:30 AM
Burkesville Boat Ramp Upper.River Street
Safety/course meeting: 10:15 AM
Start time: 10:30 AM
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Burkesville Boat Ramp
Awards: 5:00 PM at Veterans Memorial Park Stage
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cumberland River Trail Head on Upper River Street Burkesville
All ages welcome!
1:00 PM
Crosscut Saw Competition
Veterans Memorial Park Pavillion
1:00 PM
Cat Fish Wrangling
Veterans Memorial Park Pavillion
2:00 PM
Dry Land Boar Race
Veterans Memorial Park
4:00 PM
Burkesville Academy of Fine Arts:
Riverboat Review Showing #2
Riverboat Stage at Veterans Memorial Park
6:00 PM
Battle of the Bands - Winner Performance
Southern Kentucky Distillery Stage at Veterans Memorial Park (inside the walking track)
8:00 PM
Live Music: Exile
Southern Kentucky Distillery Stage at Veterans Memorial Park (inside the walking track)
Local Businesses Extended Hours:
SHOPPING TOUR
SUNDAY AUG 21st
Homecoming
To wrap up the Festivus we encourage both locals and visitors to invite your friends and family for a homecoming at one of our churches in Burkesville.
