Riverfest Raises Nearly $100,000 for Less Fortunate Children

The Service League of Cherokee County on Tuesday celebrated a banner day as President Melissa Whatley accepted a check from the 2014 Riverfest Committee in the amount of $94,579.45.

Whatley accepted the check during the League’s monthly meeting held at Canton First United Methodist Church.

Riverfest is the cornerstone of the Service League’s many fundraising endeavors, with all proceeds benefiting less fortunate children of Cherokee County.

The funds raised during this event will be used throughout the upcoming year to provide assistance with everything from health care and eyeglasses for children in need to rent and utilities for their families.

The 30th annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival took place Sept. 27-28 at Boling Park in Canton.

The juried show, featuring more than 200 exhibitors, concessionaires, entertainers and activities for children, showcased some of the southeast’s finest arts, crafts, live performances and festival fare. For the past 30 years on the last weekend of September, the festival has signaled the arrival of fall and has become a favorite tradition of many north-metro Georgia families.

This year’s show celebrated the milestone 30th year of the festival, as well as the League’s 80-year-history and featured many returning festival favorites, as well as several new and exciting exhibitors and festival features.

Vendor applications for Riverfest 2015 will be available in January on the League’s website.

Established in 1935, the Service League of Cherokee County is a volunteer group of 100 women who work year-round, collectively volunteering more than 10,000 hours per year to raise funds for local less fortunate children.

Funds raised during this and other fundraising events sponsored by the League, such as the annual Run for the Children Reindeer Run 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run and the Annual Ball and Dancing for the Children Celebrity Dance Challenge, provide necessities such as food, clothing, dental care, eyeglasses, medical care, scholarships and much more.

You can leranmore about the league by visiting its website. For general information on the Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival, contact Riverfest 2014 Publicity Chair Millie Cline at milliecline@hotmail.com.

(Photo: Riverfest Committee Chairwoman Stephanie Bagwell, left, and Service League of Cherokee County President Melissa Whatley. Credit: Service League of Cherokee County)