San Angelo Celebrates Annual Stripes River Fest

The old, the young, and even the four-legged, turned out in the hundreds for the annual Stripes River Fest this past Friday and Saturday on the Concho River in downtown San Angelo.

The event included games and activities for children and families including blow-up jumpers, kayaking, food, live music and a 5K nighttime color run. Volunteers from Goodfellow Air Force Base and Stripes helped to ensure that the event run smoothly, and representatives from several area businesses sponsored booths and activities.

Friday night, American Idol finalist, Danny Gokey, performed at the San Angelo Riverstage. Gokey, who competed on the eigth season of American Idol, is now a Christian/Gospel musician and recording artist. San Angelo native and Central High School Alumni, Taylor Agan, also performed Friday night. Agan, a senior at Belmont University in Nashville Tennessee, is an up and coming singer/songwriter in the Christian/Gospel genre like Gokey.

Saturday was filled with outdoor fun as families descended on the river. Children ran through the grassy field across from Celebration Bridge and some rolled around in inflatables while GAFB volunteers through a massive ball in their path. Braden Love, a San Angelo elementary student, loved this booth the most. Liz Love, Braden’s mother, said that this was their first time at Riverfest but they were having a wonderful time.

“He’s had the most fun here. He especially loves the inflatables,” Love said.

Cipriano Fuentes, another first time visitor, posed for photos with the Stripes’ Taco mascot. His mother said that while he was skeptical of some of the larger inflatables, like the giant slide, he was having fun nonetheless.

“His favorite part so far has been the petting zoo,” she said.

While it seemed that the inflatables where the biggest hit with Riverfest’s youngest patrons, the adults seemed to enjoy kayaking down the Concho River. The Grogan’s Outfitters booth was packed with people lined up and ready to get in their boats.

San Angelo families were not the only ones to enjoy the event. Local businesses and food stands thrived from the attendance at River Fest. The Baddabing Pizza food cart, a regular at many local events, was serving their delicious, brick oven pizza, while other food carts had turkey legs, roasted corn on the cob, snow cones, and even margaritas for the adults.

Another business represented at River Fest was Semper Fresh Kettle Corn. Semper Fresh is owned and operated by Marine veterans, and they could be seen donning their famous dark green P.T. t-shirts while they served up kettle corn to the hungry crowd.

The fun wasn't over for River Fest patrons as the sun set, either. Saturday night also included live music and a 5K color run as well.

Though a relatively new San Angelo tradition, River Fest is certainly thriving every fall. If this past weekend was any indication, the Stripes River Fest will certainly be around for years to come.