Riverside Celebration Day Saturday June 12

Published 11:09 am Friday, June 11, 2010

Riverside will celebrate this Saturday!

Riverside will have a day of boating, contests, activities for the family and just enjoying the new marina on Saturday.

The day kicks off with the second annual Poker Run, with registration starting at 10 a.m. at the Riverside Landing.

The event, sponsored by the Riverside Beautification Organization, will give people the chance to enjoy the river and win prizes.

After paying a $10 registration fee, Poker Run participants will receive a packet with their first playing card, a door prize ticket and a map of six docks, which are on the shores of Riverside.

Boaters will then follow the map to the different docks and pick up a card. They will also have a mystery dock where, if boaters find it, they can buy a card to improve their poker hand, said Julie Pounders, Beautification organizer.

“Boaters can enjoy a beautiful day on the water,” Pounders said, “while collecting a poker hand.”

Riverside Mayor Rusty Jessup said he was excited about getting people to come out and increase awareness about the new park. He said the new boat launch will fulfill a lot of the residents’ expectations they have for the town.

“Water sports and water activities are a big way of life for the citizens, in and around Riverside,” he said. “With the town owning this landing, it puts an explanation point on that.

“It gives citizens not only a chance to use and enjoy the facility, but it also gives us the opportunity to showcase our town to others.”

The winning poker hand will receive $150, which will be awarded at 3 p.m. at the Riverside Landing. Pounders said participants can also win door prizes like Talladega race tickets, a night at the Highland Hotel, dinner at the Ark, a free month and personal trainer at Total Body Fitness and other prizes from local merchants.

There will also be a kid’s fishing tournament from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children 10 and younger, fire trucks, inflatables, food, karaoke and “Riverside Rocks” and “Poker Run“ T-shirts available for $12.