SKOWHEGAN — Rustic Overtones, Portland’s own seven-piece rock band, will perform Saturday, Aug. 8, at River Fest, a multi-day event that celebrates recreation and life on the Kennebec River. The band’s unique version of indie rock is strongly influenced by soul music, garage punk, jazz and psychedelic music of the 60s and 70s.

Activities including old favorites like the Lions Club’s chicken barbecue, the Rotary Club’s lobster bake, and the road-closing traffic-stopping Moonlight Madness where competing teams race beds on wheels on Water Street. Visitors can expect fried Oreos, live music, rock climbing, and a dunk tank and more.

River Fest is sponsored by Skowhegan Savings and organized by Main Street Skowhegan, the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Skowhegan Run of River committee.

Schedule of events

Tuesday, Aug. 4

Lions Club chicken barbecue, 11 a.m. lunch, 5 p.m. dinner, big top, municipal parking log. Tickets cost $11.

Classic Car Cruise-In, 4:30 p.m., big top. Classic, restored and modified cars from the area will be on display.

Skowhegan Community Band Concert, 5:30 p.m., big top.

Jazz Jam, 7-10 p.m., Bloomfield’s Tavern.

Wednesday, Aug. 5

Naturalist Walk with Warren Balgooyen, 9-11 a.m. Call Nina Pleasants of Somerset Woods Trustees at 660-1066 to reserve a spot.

Farmers’ Market, 3-6 p.m., Somerset Grist Mill. Maine Grain Alliance will be out cooking pizzas with their mobile wood-fired pizza oven while area farmers sell their goods.

Bingo Night, 1-8 p.m., big top. Proceeds will benefit Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County.

Pub Crawl, 5:30-10 p.m., multiple locations. Shuttle will start at Bloomfields Tavern, then visit local pubs, bars and restaurants.

Thursday, Aug. 6

Moonlight Madness, 6-10 p.m., Water and Commercial streets. Children’s activities, live bands, vendors, bed races and more.

14th Annual Sundowner Canoe and Kayak Race, 6:30 p.m., from the Swinging Bridge. Registration 4:30-6 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 7

Wesserunsett Stream Paddle, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Cleaver Bat Landing (U.S. Route 2 rest area). Somerset Woods Trustees and Skowhegan Conservation Commission will host a paddle down the Kennebec River and up Wesserunsett Stream led by biologist Joe Dembeck and Master Maine Guide Eric Lahti. Bring a canoe/kayak, life jackets and paddles. Some canoes (with life jackets and paddles) will be available for use for those without. There is no fee to participate.

Skowhegan Rotary Club 31st Annual Lobster Bake, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m., big top. Single or double lobster meal, hamburgers and hotdogs available. Twisted Strings will play traditional Celtic music with a fiddle and guitar, 5-8 p.m.

The Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce Drivers and Duffers Gold Classic, 1 p.m., Lakewood Golf Course. Registration, noon, $90 or $360 per foursome. Fee includes 1 round of 18 holes per player, 1 ticket for lobster dinner, and 1 player’s portion of a cart.

Glow Stick River Run, 8:30 p.m., Cleaver Boat Landing. Paddlers will be equipped with glow sticks for a visually compelling experience. Register at the Skowhegan Community Center, fee $5. Bring your own gear.

Saturday, Aug. 8

Pilates with Petra, 7:30-8:30 a.m., DeBe Park, Mt. Pleasant Ave. Bring a mat, water and enjoy the outdoor atmosphere while getting exercise along the Kennebec River. For those 13 years old and older. No pre-registration required.

Raft Rides, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., big top; free.

Main Street Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., big top.

Move More Kids Day, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., farmers’ market.

Langlais Park Grand Opening, 2 p.m., Skowhegan Indian Sculpture.

Family Activities, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., big top. Rock wall, rock painting, watermelon eating contest and more.

Bean Bag Tournament, 3-5 p.m., big top. For adults and children. Sign up in advance at Bigelow Brewing or at the Main Street Craft Fair under the big top.

Plein Air Art Opening, 4-6 p.m., Central Maine Artists Gallery, West Front St.

Duck Derby Invasion, 2-4 p.m., big top.

Live Music and Beer Garden, 4 p.m., big top.

Fireworks, 9 p.m., Great Eddy.

Sunday, Aug. 9

Concert in Coburn Park, 5-6:30 p.m., Celtic music by the Skowhegan Community Orchestra.