COLUMBIA, Pa. — The skies along the Susquehanna River will be lit up this weekend, as Riverfest returns to Columbia, Lancaster County.
Starting on Friday, the Susquehanna National Heritage Area will be kicking off Riverfest 2024, allowing festivalgoers a chance to connect with local history along the river.
“We’re commemorating that history to help build a better future for our river towns," said Hope Byers, the vice president of visitor engagement for the Susquehanna National Heritage Area.
The weekend-long event commemorates the burning of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge during the Civil War. Just a few days before the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate troops led by General Jubal Early arrived in Wrightsville intending to cross the bridge into Lancaster County.
A group of Pennsylvania militiamen attempted to stop the Confederate troops by using gunpowder to destroy a small section of the bridge. When that didn't work, the militiamen set the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge on fire.
“Lighting a match on kerosene and coal oil [was] not their first plan, but they were going to do anything to stop the Confederate troops," said Byers. "Unfortunately, the wind catches and burns the entire mile-and-a-quarter bridge in the middle of the night.”
During the annual Riverfest, a group of runners step back in time and compete in the Bridge Burner Challenge.
“They can run up the Northwest River Trail and then come back and paddle across to actually burn the bridge in a multi-sport race," said Byers.
The festival also features more than 20 vendors, trolley tours, and live music throughout the weekend. The event allows people to enjoy recreational activities along the Susquehanna River while learning about a pivotal moment in history.
“Leveraging the history for economic development; to expose new people to our recreational amenities is all we’re celebrating this weekend," said Byers.
The event runs June 29-30 at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center. More details about the festival can be found on the RiverfestPA website.