Summer is the time for festivals, fairs and outdoor fun. This summer the Petaluma River will see a new kind of fun event called the Rivertown Revival. There will be a gala Fandango in August, and we’re busy getting folks out on the River with our tours. For more about Friends activities and other news from the sloughs read on…

Cheers; Capt. Dave Yearsley

Rivertown Revival coming to River Heritage Center July 24:

You won’t want to miss this exciting new River event to be held on the grounds of the River Heritage Center. It will be an afternoon of fun for people of all ages with art boat races, costumed characters, colorful displays and exotic merchandise; all presented in an old-time carnival atmosphere. Entry is free and costumes are encouraged. Proceeds will go to benefit Friends of the Petaluma River. To learn more about the Rivertown Revival visit their website.

Entries are still needed for the art boat races. If you and your friends want to join the fun and create a non-motorized art-boat download a registration form from the Revival website. Friends has a few watercraft that could be borrowed by aspiring entrants. If you are interested contact David Yearsley.

River Tours a big hit:

Join us on a River Tour this Summer!

Friends Friday night wine and cheese Eco-cruises have been a big hit so far this summer. The tours not only highlight the River’s historic corridor but take passengers out to special places in the Petaluma wetlands so passengers can learn the secrets of the Marsh. Most of the tours have been fully booked but a few spots are still available in late July. August, September and newly added October dates are all still available, so check our web sites for the schedule and make your reservations now. Make a reservation (New! Now taking online payments) today.

Friends welcomes two new members to Board of Directors and bids adieux to two departing Board Members

J.T. Wick

Mike Simpson

At their annual meeting in June Friend’s Board of Directors added two new members. It was with great joy that the organization welcomed Mike Simpson and J. T. Wick to the Board. Mike, who is the Principal at Two Rock School and formerly the Principal at Petaluma High, has been an active Friends supporter and long time volunteer. He helped to organize our “Fishing Fair” in 2008, has participated in many River Clean-ups, and is playing an active role in restoring our cabins in the marsh. J.T. has been directly involved with the River as the Project Manager for Port Sonoma. He has been very active in the Petaluma community as a member on several advisory boards and committees including Petaluma Peoples Services, Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce and the Petaluma River Access Partners.
Friends is very fortunate to have these gentlemen join the Board and we look forward to their leadership and enthusiasm. Friends Board of Directors officially bid adieux to two of our founding Members. Grant Davis, current Director of the Sonoma Co. Water Agency, and Dr. John Shribbs, a science teacher at Casa Grande High, left the board after nearly five years of service. They both helped to guide friends into existence and their talents will be missed. We also thank Gant and John for their years of valuable assistance as Board members. Fortunately they will still be involved with Friends. As members of our newly created Advisory Council they will join 19 other community leaders and Friends supporters in an advisory role.

Friends Advisory Council installed:

Delphinus

With our new administrative year Friends formed a new Advisory Council. Comprised of former Board members and community leaders the Advisory Council members have all demonstrated a keen interest in the River and have agreed to assist Friends in our endeavors. The members were invited to meet for the first time aboard the Delphinus for an introductory River cruise in May. A list of the Advisors is now posted on the homepage of our website and pictures from the cruise are available on the Friends Flickr page.

Get ready to Fandango

Click for Fandango information

On August 21st. Friends will host our second edition of the “Moonlight Fandango” at the Rockin’ H Ranch. This gala fundraising event was a smash hit last year and everyone who attended raved about it. This year’s event promises to be even better. There will be fine art and fantastic trips available at both live and silent auctions. A “bounty of the watershed” hors d’oeuvres bar with wine tasting along the River, and a sit down dinner in the ranch’s spacious airplane hanger afterward that will feature several courses of delicious locally harvested food. Live music for the reception and after dinner dancing will be provided by the Rivereens, a wonderful local band that plays gypsy jazz, blues, and old-timey music. The event sold out last year and is sure to do so again, so if you don’t want to miss the fun get your tickets now by contacting Elizabeth[at]FriendsofthePetalumariver.org.

Visit our Flickr site to see all of our action packed photos online