Each of the river towns - Columbia, Marietta, Wrightsville - has qualities and quirks that make that community unique," said Megan Salvatore, visitor services manager for Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA). "The three towns are great on their own, but as history has showed us, when they come together, they are extraordinary. They are better together."

Everything unique about these river towns will be in the spotlight during Riverfest, an annual event to celebrate the Susquehanna River. Riverfest will be held from Friday, June 28, through Sunday, June 30, in and around the river.

"The goal of Riverfest is to showcase our place in American history and in its future as a recreation haven," said Hope Byers, vice president of visitor engagement for SNHA. "The river has long held significance to the local people and that remains the same today."

Highlights of Riverfest include the Bridge Burner Challenge. In the multi-sport event, close to 100 racers will retrace the steps of the people who burned the bridge over the Susquehanna River connecting Wrightsville to Columbia in an effort to prevent the advance of Confederate forces into Lancaster County during the Civil War.

"Heritage tours, lectures and other heritage-based programming showcases different moments in Civil War history, putting the spotlight on the region's unique history," Salvatore said.

This year, organizers have expanded activities for the whole family and for people with all interests, said Sophia Vayansky, program coordinator for SNHA. "We've managed to connect the burning of the bridge story to our local cemeteries, markets, geology, ecology and more," she stated.

Riverfest will kick off on June 28 with live music from singer-songwriter Sarah Fiore as well as kids' activities from 5 to 8 p.m. at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., Columbia. Tours of the river on the historic Chief Uncas will be offered, as well as a bus trip with the African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania, and tours at the First National Bank Museum and Susquehanna Riverlands State Park. Columbia businesses will be open late on June 28 as part of Fourth Friday.

Saturday, June 29, will feature events including the Bridge Burner Challenge, a kids' bucket brigade at 10:15 a.m. and a recreation expo with more than 20 organizations and businesses that work along the river in Columbia River Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Experts from the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, Marietta Old Town Hall Museum, Rivertownes PA USA, the Columbia Historic Preservation Society and SNHA will offer insights into the area's history through tours and lectures throughout the weekend. A Marietta Riverfest Pub Crawl will feature bands and beer and will take place on June 29 from 1 to 6 p.m.

Sunday's festivities will include lectures from the Friends of Lebanon Cemetery about local African Americans who defended the country, walking tours and a screening of the film "Glory." The Burning of the Bridge Diorama and Museum, operated by Historic Wrightsville Inc., will be open for visitors, and the organization will sell pork dinners and sandwiches as a fundraiser.

The Ignite Finale will wrap up Riverfest, beginning at 3 p.m. on the lawn at John Wright Restaurant, 234 N. Front St., Wrightsville. Stone Biskit and Abigail's Garden will entertain, and at 7 p.m., Leroy Hopkins will present a talk about the African Americans who defended the bridge in 1863. At 8:40 p.m., Riverfest will conclude with a performance by the Teine Guardians and the lighting of piers on the Susquehanna, representing the bridge burning.

A full listing of Riverfest events and details may be found at https://riverfestpa.com.