Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival celebrates Marietta’s great outdoors
From left, Cindy Taylor, secretary for Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action shares a conversation with Marietta Main Street Executive Director Jen Tinkler during the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival Saturday afternoon at Muskingum Park in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
The beer garden saw dozens of attendees at opening during the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival in Muskingum Park in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, River, Trails & Ales Festival volunteers Pam Birge and Jennifer Medley share a conversation with festival attendee Ruth Swanson-Koll, who came from Massolin, Ohio, for the festival. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Delilah Wells, 7, a New Concord resident, runs the American Ninja Warrior-style course during the River, Trails & Ales festival Saturday morning at Muskingum Park in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Collins Feldner, 4, climbs over part of a course during the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival in Muskingum Park Saturday morning in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Bikers return from a morning ride to festival headquarters at Muskingum Park in Marietta Saturday morning during the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Cindy Taylor, secretary for Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action shares a conversation with Marietta Main Street Executive Director Jen Tinkler during the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival Saturday afternoon at Muskingum Park in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
The beer garden saw dozens of attendees at opening during the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival in Muskingum Park in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, River, Trails & Ales Festival volunteers Pam Birge and Jennifer Medley share a conversation with festival attendee Ruth Swanson-Koll, who came from Massolin, Ohio, for the festival. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Delilah Wells, 7, a New Concord resident, runs the American Ninja Warrior-style course during the River, Trails & Ales festival Saturday morning at Muskingum Park in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Collins Feldner, 4, climbs over part of a course during the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival in Muskingum Park Saturday morning in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Bikers return from a morning ride to festival headquarters at Muskingum Park in Marietta Saturday morning during the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
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MARIETTA -- Outdoor enthusiasts took to Marietta's roads, trails and waterways over the weekend as the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival returned with cycling, running, kayaking and family activities.
The festival offered opportunities for participants of different ages and experience levels to explore the city and its natural surroundings, organizer Debbie Lazorik said.
"It's a wonderful festival to allow people to enjoy all aspects of the outdoors," Lazorik said. "We have mountain biking, we have road biking, we have trail running. We've got a big kids zone. This is a very family-friendly event."
Other offerings included guided activities, merchandise vendors, electric bicycle displays and kayaking. A walking tour provided another option to explore Marietta at a slower pace.
"The purpose of it is, once again, to allow people to experience the beauty of the outdoors, and you don't have to be at any level of expertise," Lazorik said. "You can walk. You do things at your own pace."
Most festival activities were free, including events led by people who introduced participants to different outdoor activities. Tickets were required for the beer festival.
Rain and uncertain weather slowed attendance Saturday morning, Lazorik said, but the previous day's activities went forward as planned and the remaining events were still scheduled.
The beer festival brought nine regional breweries to Marietta and also featured two bands and food trucks. Lazorik said the gathering provided a place for participants to relax after taking part in the festival's outdoor activities.
"You can do all your activities and then come and enjoy a beverage and food," she said.
Organizers expanded the festival's children's programming this year. Additions included a ninja warrior course, while the kids zone offered bicycling activities, arts and crafts and games. The festival also expanded its gravel-road cycling options.
Marietta Main Street Executive Director Jen Tinkler said the festival gave families an opportunity to spend time downtown while participating in outdoor recreation.
"We just hope people have a good time," Tinkler said. "Come down, bring the family. It's definitely a family-friendly event."
Tinkler said the festival included bicycle activities for children and rides and hikes throughout the weekend.
Marietta Main Street organizes more than 36 events each year and also works with business and building owners on historic preservation and property improvements. That work includes its Build Up Marietta grant program and efforts to secure state and federal grants.
Lazorik said the festival's goal was to introduce residents and visitors to Marietta's recreational opportunities.
"What we're doing is taking advantage of the beautiful outdoors that Marietta presents," she said.