Thunder on the Neches

One of the most anticipated events of the year is officially underway – Port Neches RiverFest, Thunder on the Neches – at Port Neches City Park (620 Grigsby Ave.) near Port Neches-Groves High School through Sunday, May 5. Brought to you by Neches Federal Credit Union and the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, this one-of-a-kind event features powerboat racing thundering down the Neches River, fantastic food, vendors, carnival with a popular variety of live music. Gates will open at 5 p.m. (close at 10 p.m.) on Thursday, May 1, with free admission until 10 p.m. Performing at the Entertainment Complex Riverfront Stage at 7 p.m. is local act Pea Patch Orchestra followed by Cajun legend Wayne Toups at 9 p.m. Carnival and vendor hours Friday are 5 p.m. to midnight. Admission fee for entertainment is $10 (free for kids 12 and under). Scheduled to perform at JT Reserve (6 p.m.), Uncle Lucius (8 p.m.) and Texas Country star William Clark Green (10 p.m.). Also on Friday, from 3-5:30 p.m. testing begins by the John Schubert-produced S.P.O.R.T. (Southern Professional Outboard Racing Tour) powerboats. Watch four classes of boats tear down the Neches River in electrifying races at speeds up to 120 mph. The water speed demons will begin early on Saturday (9 a.m.) and will race throughout the day until 5 p.m. Gates are open from 8:30 a.m. through midnight Saturday with a full day of festivities including Super Hero Meet and Greet, Cutest Baby Contest, Coloring Contest, demonstrations and more. Live music on the Entertainment Complex Riverfront Stage consists of Cade Latiolais (6:30 p.m.), Scotty Emerick (8:30 p.m.), massive fireworks display (9 p.m.) and headliner Mac McAnally, country legend and former guitarist for the late Jimmy Buffett (10 p.m.). Entry fee is $10 until 5 p.m. and $15 after. Patrons can enjoy free entry all day Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. Powerboat racing begins at 9 a.m. Also scheduled for Sunday is a horseshow tournament, washer board shoot-out, Miss Port Neches Pageant, pet show and Mother of the Year. Festival goers are encouraged to park at the PNG High School parking lot then be valeted by golf cart shuttles. There will be two gates again this year – Main Gate at Grisgby Avenue and the second gate is located on Park Street. Organizers also announced a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Tugboat Island Rebuild Project. For detailed information, view pnriverfest.com or call (409) 727-9154.