2026 Ocmulgee Riverfest in Hawkinsville to feature duck race, food trucks, vendors and fireworks

The Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event at Veterans Memorial Park from 2 to 7:30 p.m.

HAWKINSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Ocmulgee Riverfest returns to downtown Hawkinsville on Saturday, October 24, bringing a rubber duck race, food trucks, local vendors, family activities, live music and fireworks.

The Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event at Veterans Memorial Park from 2 to 7:30 p.m.

Lynn Johnson with the Chamber joined 41NBC to discuss this year’s festivities, which will begin with a rubber duck race along the Ocmulgee River at 10 a.m.

The ducks will be released into the river and race toward the finish line at Mile Branch Park. Johnson said the race typically takes about an hour, depending on the river’s current.

Duck race tickets cost $5 each or five for $20, with proceeds helping cover the cost of Riverfest.

The first-place winner will receive a $500 gift card to Harris Country Meats. Second place will receive $250 in gift cards to local businesses, while third place will receive $150 in gift cards to local restaurants.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Chamber at 470-783-1717.

Family activities and entertainment

Festival activities will begin at 2 p.m., with several free attractions available throughout the afternoon.

According to the event schedule, activities include:

• 2 to 5 p.m.: Gellyball, foam party and 360-degree video booth

• 4 to 5 p.m.: Cook-off contest

• 4 to 5 p.m.: Inflatable costume race, with no registration required

• 5 to 7:20 p.m.: Live music from the Plum Tucker’d Band

• Approximately 7:20 p.m.: Fireworks display

Additional activities throughout the day include cornhole, sack races, cup stacking and a PowerLine Sports inflatable game.

Food trucks and vendors

Riverfest will feature a variety of food and drink vendors offering everything from barbecue and seafood to tacos, shaved ice and desserts.

Participating food and drink vendors include Jail Creek Farms Winery, Kona Ice of Houston County, La Cabana, La Cabanita, Make My Plate LLC, Soul 2 Soul Food, The Black Pearl and Wilkes Concession.

Food options will include tacos, quesadillas, burritos, wings, eggrolls, ribs, pulled pork, seafood, hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes and more.

The festival map also identifies 37 vendor spaces featuring local businesses, artisans and community organizations.

Visitors can browse handmade jewelry, woodcrafts, baked goods, paintings, home decor, bath products, clothing and other merchandise.

Participating vendors include Grants Wood Creations, C & L’s Woodcrafts, Gifts From the Avenue, 2 Old Goatz, Cyntme Designs, Cluck and Stitches, JB Bath Shop & Gifts and K’s 3D Creations.

Additional attractions include face painting and henna from MaarBears BodyArt, a goat-petting activity from Bamboo Farming USA and knife-sharpening services from The Knife Tent.

Community organizations and businesses, including the Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Kiwanis, Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Arts Council and Central Georgia Technical College, will also have informational booths.

Parking and event information

The Chamber has released festival maps showing the locations of food trucks, vendors, activities, restrooms, emergency services and parking.

General parking will be available at designated locations throughout downtown Hawkinsville, with accessible parking areas identified near Veterans Memorial Park.

Riverfest T-shirts will also be available for purchase for $17 for adults and $15 for children.

Admission to Riverfest is free, and several family activities will be offered at no cost.

For additional information, including vendor locations and parking maps, visit the Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.