The Riverside Beautification Organization will be holding a free soup supper on March 17 for the community. Julie Pounders, president of the Riverside Beautification Organization, said it’s a great opportunity for people to spend time together and get to know their neighbors.

“Our mission when we started the RBO, was a very broad idea to try help make Riverside a nicer, community minded place to live. So, this is something we decided to do in early spring as a way for people to get together every year,” said Pounders.

Attendance is not restricted to Riverside, Pounders said the opportunity to meet a lot of new people that don’t usually frequent the area is one of the best elements of the event.

“It’s a really nice way to spend some time with your neighbors and friends,” said Pounders.

There will be 12 to 15 crockpots full of all variety of soups, Pounders said. Soups come with a drink, homemade cookies and crackers or cornbread. Attendees are allowed to get as much soup as they want and come back for more.

“It’s really fun because people will congregate and have a bowl of soup and stay for a little while and then eat more cooking. It’s really nice,” said Pounders.

The event will take place at Riverside Landing, by the boat ramp in Riverside. Picnic tables will be available for outside dining. There will also be carryout options.

Admission is free but donations are welcome and no RSVP is asked for. The event will be from 5-7 p.m. The dress code for the event is casual and the theme will be St. Patrick’s Day.

In previous years, the RBO has strived to collect money for playground equipment. Now, with the equipment purchased, funds will help purchase a new playground sign.

The soup supper itself isn’t a fundraiser, but there are supplemental elements to the event that will help raise money for ongoing projects, such as the sale of Riverside merchandise and raffle tickets for a rod and reel.

There will be local craftsmen, gourmet candy and popcorn, springtime door wreaths, cake sale, and a honey vendor. Pounders said she’s excited to see the local vendors in attendance.

“It gets bigger and better every year, we always try to add something new.”

Pounders said the organization is looking to continue a walking trail throughout the park. They hope to extend it to the side of the playground behind city hall. Pounders said that project should likely be complete sometime in early April when the playground equipment is finally installed. She said she’s hoping a grand opening will follow the completion of the park.