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By Erin PIttman

Sponsored by Town of Occoquan

If there’s one thing the Town of Occoquan is known for, well, in addition to the river, it’s craft shows and festivals. And you won’t want to miss their latest one coming up June 4 and 5!

Occoquan’s RiverFest & Craft Show promises fun for everyone with events from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

For the Arts and Crafts Lovers

The wonderful weekend you know and love is back in Occoquan! Get ready for more than 200 crafters, artisans, and makers to fill the streets of town. Festival visitors can shop for everything from accessories to wood crafts, fine art to children’s items. The show is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days.

For the River Enthusiasts

Come experience the Occoquan like you’ve always wanted to. Paddle along with Penguin Paddling. Tour the 42-foot Sea Dog, the floating laboratory moored by Potomac Riverkeeper Network. Join in the ½-mile SUP race on Saturday or cheer the paddlers on from the shore. And try your hand at a SUP or land yoga class on Sunday to feel your best all weekend long. Come soak in all the Occoquan has to offer.

For the Foodies

The Town of Occoquan never forgets the food lovers at their events, and this one is no exception! While the streets will be filled with artisans, they are leaving plenty of room for the food vendors. Follow the delicious aromas to your favorite food trucks, grills and gourmet-to-go vendors, as well as award-winning Occoquan restaurants.

Don’t miss the Beer and Wine Garden with live concerts starting at noon both days in River Mill Park. Woodlawn Press Winery and Waters End Brewery will be serving up pours to savor, while you relax and take in the beautiful views of the Occoquan River. Enjoy live music from Mystery Machine DMV on Saturday and The New Thirty on Sunday. Take the Green shuttle to drop you right at the park.

For the Conservationists

Do you just love all things natural and live to protect the planet? Come celebrate our little corner of it in Conservation Alley during RiverFest. Located in the center of town, Conservation Alley will be packed with family fun, crafts, delicious eats, beer, music, and plenty of love for nature.

Journey with Junior Passport, where kids can earn a Conservation Alley sticker badge while learning simple ways to protect our wildlife and water. Come spot scuba bubbles as you watch Patriot Divers clean up underwater debris. Meet tiny oyster heroes with Salts Seafood. Enjoy a flight of eastern shore-farmed oysters and pair them with beer from Black Narrows while learning about shell recycling and how oysters are restoring health to the Chesapeake Bay.

Are you and your family makers? Try your hand at some upcycled crafts with Hitchcock Paper Company and Patriot Scuba or create rain in a watershed demo. Test the effects of fertilizer and herbicides on our waterways and go home with knowledge of how to make wise choices in your own back (and front) yard. You’ll also find incredible sculptures from Ocean Soles — made from upcycled flip flops! And don’t miss the live stage where you’ll learn clean water trivia and tips between music sets and become a River Ambassador.

Plan Your Trip

 2022 RiverFest & Craft Show Schedule

 SATURDAY, JUNE 4

• Stand-up Paddle Board and Kayak Race                     9am & 1:30pm
• Arts & Crafts                                                                   10am-5pm
• Conservation Alley and Jr. Passport Program          10am-5pm
• Sea Dog Lab Tours                                                         10am-5pm
• Kayaks & Paddleboard Rentals                                    10am-5pm
• Live Music in River Mill Park                                         12pm-4pm
• Beer & Wine Garden                                                      12pm-5pm
• River Clean Up                                                                1:30pm

SUNDAY, JUNE 5

• Arts & Crafts                                                                     10am-5pm
• Conservation Alley and Jr. Passport Program             10am-5pm
• Sea Dog Lab Tours                                                           10am-5pm
• Kayaks & Paddleboard Rentals                                      10am-5pm
• SUP and Land Yoga classes                                            10:45am-5pm
• Live Music in River Mill Park                                           12pm-4pm
• Beer & Wine Garden                                                        12pm-5pm
• River Clean Up                                                                   1:30pm

Shuttle Bus Service

Occoquan will close its streets and festival goers may shuttle or walk in. Shuttle service is $5 cash round trip.

Find your lot:

Purple Lot
Lake Ridge Commuter Lot
Corner of Old Bridge and Minnieville Roads, Woodbridge
Drop off/Pick Up located at Mom’s Apple Pie Shuttle Stop

Green Lot (Beer Garden Express)
Rt 123 Commuter Lot
Corner of Route 123 and Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge
Drop off/Pick Up at Footbridge Shuttle Stop by River Mill Park

Yellow Lot (New)
I-95 Commuter Lot
1100 Annapolis Way, Woodbridge
Drop off/Pick Up at the Shuttle Stop under the Route 123 Bridge

New for June 2022: There will be no event parking/shuttle service at the Workhouse Art Center. Parking for the Yellow Lot is now at the I-95 Commuter Lot.

Whether you visit Occoquan for the shopping, the river activities, the food fest — or all of the above — there will be plenty to keep you busy at RiverFest.

For more event information and updated schedules, visit occoquanva.gov/riverfest. To learn more about the June 4 river races, see paddleguru.com/races/OCQRiverPaddleChallenge2022.

Erin Pittman is Prince William Living‘s Editor-in-Chief.