Celebrate Life on the Mighty Cumberland River! August 15-16, 2025

Make plans to visit Burkesville, Kentucky August 15 and 16th 2025 for the annual River Festivus, where the music is free and memories last forever.


Schedule of Events 

Saturday  August 9

12:00 pm -4:00 pm • TROUT FISHING TOURNEY

FAMILY FUN RUN

Friday August 15

4:00 pm • VENDORS OPEN

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm • REGISTRATION FOR EVENTS OPEN

6:00 pm • BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Saturday August 16

7:30 am 5K/10K CHECK IN - REGISTRATION (Run/Walk)

  8:00 am 5K/10K  START (Run/Walk

9:00 am 12 MILE RIVER RUN (Paddle Race) 

9:30 am 7 MILE RIVER RUN (Paddle Race)

10:00 am • VENDORS OPEN

10:00 am • RIVERBOAT REVUE

10:30 am FESTIVUS FLOAT

10:00 am - 4:00 pm • CRUISE-IN

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm • KID’S CASTING DERBY

12:00 pm • JEEP RIDE

1:00 pm • CROSSCUT SAW COMPETITION

2:00 pm • DRY LAND BOAT RACE

4:00 pm • RIVERBOAT REVUE

6:00 pm • BATTLE OF THE BANDS WINNER

7:50 pm • RIVER FESTIVUS SPLIT THE POT DRAWING   

8:00 pm • MONTGOMERY GENTRY - FREE CONCERT

River Festivus

Battle Of The Bands

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🎸 The bands are in — now it’s YOUR turn to vote! 🎤

The River Festivus Battle of the Bands is heating up 🔥 and YOU help decide who takes the stage. The top 5 vote-getters will perform live on the SKD Stage at River Festivus on August 15 🎶 and compete for 💰 cash prizes plus the chance to open for Montgomery Gentry!

🗳 How to vote:
Head over to the River Festivus Facebook page and cast your vote for your favorite band!

📅 Voting opens June 21st and ends July 18th.
📣 The Top 5 will be announced July 21st.

🙌 Support your favorites, discover new talent, and help us pick who rocks the stage this year!

Vendor Registration

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Join River Festivus in Burkesville, KY, as a vendor! Sell your products, food, or services at one of Kentucky’s biggest festivals. Limited spaces available—sign up now!https://form.jotform.com/250144529726054

Mighty Cumberland River Run And Festivus Float

Get ready to paddle the Mighty Cumberland River.

Join us in Burkesville, Kentucky, on August 16, 2025, for the Mighty Cumberland River Run and Festivus Float, a highlight of River Festivus. Choose from two exciting race options or enjoy a relaxing paddle on one of the most scenic stretches of the Cumberland River.

Choose your adventure.

Mighty Cumberland River Run is a competitive 7-mile or 12-mile race down the cool, trout-filled waters of the Cumberland River. Compete for custom awards and enjoy free post-race meals and camping.

Festivus Float is for those who want a five-mile scenic paddle to enjoy the beauty of the river at their own pace.

Race and float details.

Location is Cumberland River, Burkesville, Kentucky.
Date is August 16, 2025.
Race start times.
Twelve-mile race at nine o'clock in the morning.
Seven-mile race at nine thirty in the morning.
Festivus Float at ten thirty in the morning.
Shuttle service will run every fifteen minutes to transport participants and gear.

Participant perks.

Mighty Cumberland River Run includes a custom cap, awards for top finishers, free camping, and post-race meal.
Festivus Float includes a custom event cap.

Registration and fees.

Mighty Cumberland River Run solo racer is $60 for the seven-mile or twelve-mile race.
Mighty Cumberland River Run tandem team is $100
Festivus Float adult is $35.
Late fee is an additional $10 after August 10, 2025

Register now.

Spots are limited and prices increase after August tenth. Do not miss your chance to be part of this incredible paddling event.

Head For The Hills 5k 10k Run Or Walk

Are you ready to take on the challenge of Alpine Hill? The River Festivus Run for the Hills 5K/10K is back. Whether you're a seasoned runner, a casual jogger, or just looking for a fun fitness event, this race has a course for you.

Set in the scenic town of Burkesville, Kentucky, this event is a highlight of River Festivus, bringing runners from all over to test their endurance, enjoy breathtaking views, and experience the charm of the Cumberland River Valley.

Choose Your Course

5K Flat – A smooth, scenic course perfect for runners and walkers of all levels.
5K Alpine – Challenge yourself with an exhilarating climb up Alpine Hill, overlooking Burkesville and the Cumberland River.
10K Flat + Alpine – The ultimate challenge, combining the best of both worlds with a mix of flat terrain and a rewarding climb.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Start Location: Cumberland County Welcome Center, 111 Hill Street, Burkesville, KY
Registration: 7:30 AM
Race Start: 8:00 AM

Participant Perks

All participants receive a custom finisher’s medallion and race bib. The event offers a chance to conquer Alpine Hill and be part of an unforgettable experience.

Race t-shirts are available for purchase during registration.

Registration and Fees

$30 per participant
$10 late fee applies after August 10, 2025

For questions, contact Traci at 270-406-2959.

Register Now

Don't miss your chance to be part of one of Kentucky’s most scenic and challenging races.

Sign up today at https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Burkesville/riverfestivus

For more information about River Festivus and other festival events, visit www.riverfestivus.com.

River Festivus Trout Fishing Contest

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🎣 Burkesville Trout Tournament – Catch & Release! 🎣

🗓 Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
📍 Location: Cumberland River, Burkesville, KY

💵 Registration Fee: $25

Schedule & Check-In:
6:00 AM–8:00 AM — Check-in at Burkesville Boat Ramp

Pick up your official River Festivus token at check-in

Take your fish photo with the token visible

🐟 Format & Rules:
• Catch & Release — biggest trout wins!
Measure your trout using the “Golden Rule” measuring device (provided)
Submit your fish photo to officials by 4:00 PM (plan ahead for cell service)

🏆 Prizes:
• 1st Place – $1,000
• 2nd Place – $500
• 3rd Place – $250

💼 Presented by: Experienced Stays (Lexington, KY)

📞 To Enter:
Call Samantha at (270) 459-0248 or Willie at (270) 459-3171

Tight lines and good luck! 🐠🌅

River Festivus Cruise-In

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Start your engines, Burkesville - the River Festivus Cruise-In is rolling into town! 🚗💨
Classic rides, roaring engines, live music, great food, and all-day family-fun - it's all happening on the beautiful Banks of the Cumberland!
✴️ All makes and models welcome!
✴️ FREE entry - FREE to admire!
✴️ Giveaways and surprises!
244 Upper River ST Burkesville, KY
August 16, 2025 • 10 AM - 4 PM
Parking begins at 9 AM
For more information, please call Craig at 270-433-1173

River Festivus Catfish Wrangling

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It’s man vs. mudcat in this side-splitting spectacle that plays on the Appalachian tradition of ‘noodling’ - or catching a catfish with your bare hands!
See who can make their way to the final bracket and earn CASH PRIZES and some serious bragging rites! Lots of laughs are guaranteed but you might wanna watch out for the 💦 SPLASH ZONE! 💦
Proceeds benefit CCHS Band Program

River Festivus Family Fun Run

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The River Festivus Family Fun Run (sponsored by Sulphur Creek Resort/Mike's Landing) is BACK!
This wild, wacky, and wonderful race through the heart of rural Cumberland County is where back roads become battlegrounds, and FUN runs as deep as the river! This isn't your average stroll through the countryside - it's a full-throttle, family-friendly test of grit packed with muddy missions, puzzling pit stops, and just enough small-town chaos to keep everyone on their toes!
Last year's participants all wanted one thing - MORE! We always aim to please (and secretly we love watching y'all get put through the wringer 😜) so 2025's Fun Run will be bigger and more challenging than ever! 🚨 IMPORTANT 🚨 To make time for all this extra adventure, the Fun Run will be held on Saturday, August 09, 2025 - ONE WEEK PRIOR to River Festivus!! 🚨
Think you have what it takes to become the next Fun Run Champ? Here's what you need to know:
Teams of two will compete in a trek across the county using clues to designated ‘road block’ locations. At each destination, the teams must complete their choice of tasks, and collect a passport to move on to the next location. Some tasks are physical, some are mental, but all are inclusive to a wide range of capabilities. When teams have collected their final passport ticket, they’ll dash back to River Festivus headquarters to compete in one Final Challenge. The first three teams to accomplish this mission will win some AMAZING prizes and be announced on stage at our Battle of the Bands!
• 𝟏𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄: FREE 3-Night stay in a private cabin at Sulphur Creek Resort, FREE pontoon rental from Sulphur Creek Marina, AND $500 CASH
• 𝟐𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄: $300 CASH
• 𝟑𝐑𝐃 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄: $150 CASH
$20 registration fee per team. Each participant will receive an EXCLUSIVE River Festivus Fun Run t-shirt as part of the registration!
Choice of shirt size is only guaranteed to those participants who pre-register.
** All teams MUST sign a waiver. At least one person on each team MUST have proof of a driver’s license and valid automobile insurance. River Festivus does not condone unsafe driving practices. We encourage all participants to drive safely, obey ALL traffic laws, and be aware of your surroundings. Local law enforcement will be notified of all event routes.

River Festivus Split the Pot

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Last year’s Split the Pot winner took home $20,000 but our goal for 2025 is much more ambitious! We’re working hard towards a $75,000+ pot - meaning YOU could be the one walking away with a potential
💵 $37,500+ 💵 PLUS an entire barrel of
🥃 SKD Bourbon!! 🥃
The bigger the pot, the bigger the prize! Tickets are $20 each - get yours TODAY from a committee member or one of the businesses below!
(Cash equivalent available in lieu of bourbon - $1600 value)
Kentucky Farm Bureau (Todd Morgan, Vince Holcomb)
Cumberland County Hospital
The Bait Shop
IGA
Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce

River Festivus Jeep Ride

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🛻 River Festivus Jeep Ride
📅 Saturday, August 16th, 2025
📍 Registration starts at 12:00 PM CST at the Cumberland County Extension Office ( 90 Smith Grove Rd., Burkesville, KY 42717)
🕐 Ride begins at 1:00 PM — route revealed during registration
🍔 Free lunch provided

💵 Cost:
• $30 per Jeep (includes 1 t-shirt)
• $5 per extra rider
• $15 per extra t-shirt
💰 Cash or Check Only

🎶 FREE CONCERT
Enjoy a free concert that night with Montgomery Gentry featuring Eddie Montgomery!

🎓 Proceeds benefit the Advocates for Recovery and Prevention Scholarship Fund

📞 More Info:
(270) 459-3329
(270) 433-0152
📘 Follow us on Facebook: Cumberland River Jeep Club

Thank You to All Our Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsors:


Platinum Sponsors:


Gold Sponsors:


Silver Sponsors:

 

 

 

 

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