Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival celebrates 16th year this weekend
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MARIETTA - From Thursday to Sunday, the Rivers, Trails, and Ales Festival will take over historic East Muskingum Park for the 16th year in a row.
According to a press release regarding the event, the festival brings over a thousand locals and tourists together to hit local rivers, trails and ale providers with a celebration of outdoor adventure and community.
This weekend provides hiking, biking and paddling activities for all ages and skill levels. The festival invites attendees to explore the scenic rivers, wooded trails and streets of Marietta. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or trying something new, there’s something for everyone, according to the press release.
Visitors can experience live music on Saturday during the Beer Fest, featuring performances by local artists. Attendees will have a selection of food trucks and browse a variety of local community organizations along the riverfront. The Beer Fest will feature a ticketed tasting event with a curated selection of brews from across the region.
"RTA Fest means expanding an energetic and positive community. It means encouraging folks to head outside and enjoy our local waterways, city trails, beautiful roads, and vibrant downtown," said Eric Dowler, RTA festival director. "We sometimes take for granted what we've been given, so RTA Fest is a way for us to show off what is here and happening all year long in Marietta and Washington County."
The RTA Festival is free to attend. Proceeds from the festival benefit Marietta Main Street, the Marietta City Trail Fund and other funds relevant to the mission of the event.
To learn more about the RTA Festival, access the 2026 Festival Program (including a Kids Guide), or volunteer to support the many events this festival brings to the community, visit www.rtafest.com or Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival on Facebook.
River, Trails and Ales Festival Schedule
THURSDAY
* 7:30-9 p.m. -- Kick Off Party at Galley and Adelphia Music Hall (Ales and Music)
FRIDAY
* 8-9 a.m. -- Yoga with Erin Deitzler at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park
* 9 a.m. -- Gnome Adventure Hike at Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge (Trails/Kids)
* 9 a.m. -- Guided Historic Walk at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. -- RTA Warrior Course at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Kids)
* 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. -- Tots and Trikes Mini Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)
* 10 a.m. -- Trail Town Celebration at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park
* 10:30 a.m. -- Mountain Bike Group Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 10:30 a.m. -- Road Bike Group Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 10:30 a.m. -- Guided Nature Hike at Broughton Nature Park (Trails)
* 10:30 a.m. -- Marietta Trolley Tour at The Armory
* Noon -- Veto Lake Lunch Paddle at Veto Lake (River)
* 5:30 p.m. -- Kids' Trail Run at Broughton Nature Park (Trails/Kids)
* 6 p.m. -- OYO at Peoples Bank Theatre (Ales and Music)
* 6:30 p.m. -- Gnome Adventure Hike and Creek Explore at Broughton Nature Park (Trails/Kids)
* 8 p.m. -- Glow Paddle with launch at Indian Acres Boat Ramp and take out near Boathouse BBQ (River)
* 8 p.m. RTA Fest Mountain Bike Night Ride at the gravel lot at 100 Mill Creek Road, Marietta (Trails)
* 8 p.m. -- Colby Lee Swift with special guest Walker Swift at Adelphia Music Hall (Ales and Music)
SATURDAY
* 8-9 a.m. -- Yoga with Natalie Ball at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park
* 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. -- Tots and Trikes Mini Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)
* 9 a.m. -- Guided Nature Hike with a Ranger at Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge-Vistors Center (Trails)
* 9 a.m. to noon -- Gnome Adventure Hike and Nature Explore at Beverly Island (Trails)
* 9 a.m. to noon -- Nature Hike at Beverly Island (Trails)
* 9 a.m. to noon -- Youth and Adult MTB Skills Clinic at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)
* 9 a.m. -- Historic Lock Thru Paddle at Lock-Thru Paddle Launch Site (River)
* 9:30 a.m. -- Group Trail Run at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 10 a.m. -- Mountain Bike Group Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 10 a.m. -- Gravel Bike Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 10 a.m. -- Road Bike Group Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- RTA Warrior Course at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Kids)
* 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Kid's Fun Zone near Warrior Course at RTA Headquarters (Kids)
* 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- E-bike Demo with Marietta Adventure Co. and Aventon at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park
* Noon -- Gnome Adventure Hike and Creek Explore at Broughton Nature Park (Trails/Kids)
* 1 p.m. -- All about EBikes! by Aventon at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 2 p.m. -- Family Fun Bicycle Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)
* 2-6 p.m. -- Foam Party! at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Kids)
* 3-7 p.m. -- Kid's Fun Zone near Beer Festival-RTA Headquarters (Kids)
* 3-7 p.m. -- RTA Adventure Expo at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park
* 3-7 p.m. -- RTA Beer Fest VIP Admissions at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Ales)
* 4-7 p.m. -- RTA Beer Fest General Admissions at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Ales)
* 3:30-6:30 p.m. -- Face Painting at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Kids)
* 7:30-8 p.m. -- Tortoise and Hare World Championship at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 8 p.m. -- Raffle Drawing at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park
* 8 p.m. --Allie Colleen with special guest Evie Schaffer at Adelphia Music Hall (Ales and Music)
SUNDAY
* 8:30 a.m. -- Guided Nature Hike at Broughton Nature Park (Trails)
* 9 a.m. -- Buckley Islands Exploration Paddle/Hike at Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge (Trails/River)
* 9-11 a.m. -- Tots and Trikes Mini Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)
* 9-11 a.m. -- RTA Warrior Course at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park
* 9:30 a.m. -- Group Trail Run at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 10 a.m. -- Mountain Bike Group Recovery Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 10 a.m. -- Road Bike Group Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)
* 1 p.m. -- Mighty Muskingum River Raft at Regatta Indian Acres Boat Ramp (River)
* 1 p.m. -- Gnome Adventure Hike at Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge (Trails/Kids)
* 7 p.m. -- G. Love and Special Sauce at Peoples Bank Theatre (Ales and Music)