Wabash Riverfest is a free, family-friendly festival held on July 12, 2025, primarily at Tapawingo Park, John Myers Pedestrian Bridge, and Riverside Promenade in West Lafayette, Indiana. The event celebrates the Wabash River through on-water and on-land activities for all ages, including canoe races, a 5K run/walk, float trips, paddleboard and kayak tours, art classes, conservation exhibits, music, and educational hikes focused on nature and local ecology. The festival is handicapped accessible and organized by the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation, emphasizing community engagement, river conservation, and recreational enjoyment.

The vibe of Wabash Riverfest is communal, educational, and celebratory, bringing residents together to appreciate and protect the river ecosystem, with a mix of outdoor adventure, environmental awareness, and local culture through music and art.

Key activities and their descriptions include:

Voyageur Canoe Races: Teams compete in exciting 300-yard canoe races on the Wabash River, with a commemorative paddle awarded to winners.
Water Drop 5K Run/Walk: Starts at 8:00 am, this race/walk event encourages fitness and river celebration.
Float Trip: A guided river float from Davis Ferry Park to Tapawingo Park, with shuttles provided; participants can bring their own watercraft.
Paddleboarding and Kayak Tours: Classes and tours, including Intro to Paddleboarding and Paddleboard Yoga, taught by instructors with all equipment provided.
River Drawing Class: An outdoor art class using charcoal on the promenade, welcoming all skill levels.
Conservation Exhibits: Educational booths and displays from local environmental organizations highlighting river conservation efforts.
Birds of Prey Presentation: An interactive session to learn about and see birds of prey.
Trees of the Wabash Identification Hikes: Guided by a Purdue forestry expert, these hikes occur at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm to educate about local tree species.
Children’s Activities: Fishing lessons and interactive storytimes about aquatic life designed for kids aged 6-17.
Live Music: Performances, including from the Songwriters Association of Mid-North Indiana, provide a relaxing atmosphere throughout the day.

A rough schedule for July 12, 2025:

8:00 am: Water Drop 5K Run/Walk begins (packet pickup at West Lafayette Wellness Center before race)
9:00 am: Festival opens at Tapawingo Park with float trip check-ins starting
9:30 am: Landing of the historic voyageur canoe at the riverfront
10:00 am: Trees of the Wabash ID hike commences (also at 1:00 pm)
11:00 am: Birds of prey presentation
Throughout the day: Canoe races, paddleboarding and kayak classes, art drawing class, live music performances, conservation exhibits, children’s fishing lessons, and interactive story time

Wabash Riverfest was founded to celebrate and raise awareness of the Wabash River as a key natural resource linking the communities of Lafayette and West Lafayette. Organized by the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation, it emphasizes the river's ecological importance, local history, and future sustainability while fostering community pride and recreation. The event has grown to include diverse activities that appeal broadly to families, outdoor enthusiasts, artists, educators, and conservationists, making it a unique gathering dedicated to riverfront enjoyment and environmental education.

About This Festival