River Days returns to Portsmouth for Labor Day weekend

PORTSMOUTH, OH (WOWK) – A tradition spanning decades in Scioto County is returning once again this Labor Day weekend.

The 2024 River Days in Portsmouth, Ohio, is scheduled from Friday, Aug. 30 through Sunday, Sept. 1, with a special event coming to town on Monday, Sept. 2. The festival’s events take place daily from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the Midway located on the municipal lot at the corner of 4th and Washington streets.

River Days has fun for all with a variety of games, attractions, merchants and food trucks. While there will be no festivities on 4th and Washington Streets on Monday, Sept. 2, the community can look forward to the FLOTSAM Floating Circus making its way to town at 6 p.m. Monday night!

The events also include the annual Duck Derby, which is set for 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1. Contestants do not have to be present to win, and there is still time for folks to adopt their ducks for the event.

Here is the schedule of events for this year’s River Days:

• Friday, Aug. 30:
  • 11:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m.: Rotary Fish Fry on Esplande
  • 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Opening ceremony and introduction of River Days contestants
  • 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Family Feud
  • 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Josh Stewart Band
  • 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: The Party Bus Band
• Saturday, Aug. 31:
  • 11:00 a.m.: 61st annual River Days Parade
  • 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: River Days Contestants float display on 3rd Street.
  • 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Outdoor movie with popcorn featuring “Toy Story.”
  • 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Introduction of visiting queens
  • 6:30 p.m.: Miss River Days pageant at SSU
  • 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Gimme Sugar, a Rolling Stones tribute band
  • 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: Little River Band
• Sunday, Sept. 1:
  • 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Candyland Children’s Museum children’s activities
  • 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m: Hot dog eating contest
  • 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Outdoor movie with popcorn featuring “Cars”
  • 5:00 p.m.: Introduction of the 2024 Miss River Days queen and court
  • 5:30 p.m.: Duck Derby
  • 5:45 p.m.: Announcement of the 2024 Queens
  • 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Rock This Way
  • 8:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.: Chris Hgbee
  • 10 p.m.: Fireworks
• Monday, Sept. 2:
  • 6:00 p.m. FLOTSAM Floating Circus at Court Street Landing
  • No events at 4th and Washington Streets

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOWK 13 News.