SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2024
OSHIMA BROTHERS • ADAM EZRA GROUP
WILL EVANS • STEPHANIE RYANN & PAIGE DAVIS • CONNOR GARVEY • LOUISA STANCIOFF
River Jam returns to Biddeford on Saturday, August 17th with an annual celebration of music and community. Groove to the beats while you enjoy fun family activities and more, all alongside the gorgeous Saco River at Mechanics Park in Downtown Biddeford!
Start the day with live dance, theater, & music performances, community booths, and fun activities for all ages! The afternoon and evening continue with an incredible line-up of musicians from Maine and beyond performing on the Main Stage, several food trucks, and local brews/wines in the Beer & Wine Garden.
All events are free and open to the public! Now in our tenth year, River Jam is sure to be the highlight of your summer!
SPONSORS
THANK YOU to River Jam’s Sponsors and Partners!
Presenting Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Main Stage Performance Schedule
- 11:00 AM
- Dance House Productions
- Main Stage at Mechanics Park
Dance Performances
Live dance performances from Dance House Productions, southern Maine's premier dance studio.
- 12:30 PM
- Twin City Theater Academy
- Main Stage at Mechanics Park
Theater Performances
Live theater performances from students of the Twin City Theater Academy, a cooperative endeavor of the Saco Parks and Recreation Department and the Biddeford School Department.
- 1:15 PM
- Maine Academy of Modern Music
- Main Stage at Mechanics Park
Hadley Johnson and Avary Davis
Solo performances from local musicians Hadley Johnson and Avary Davis, two stand-out students from the Maine Academy of Modern Music.
- 2:30 PM
- Louisa Stancioff
- Main Stage at Mechanics Park
Louisa Stancioff
Born and raised in rural Maine, Louisa has emerged as a gifted writer with a cinematic eye for richly detailed, emotionally-charged character studies that grapple with the complexities of everyday life. Her debut record "When We Were Looking" is out via Yep Roc Records.
- 3:30 PM
- Connor Garvey
- Main Stage at Mechanics Park
Connor Garvey
Connor Garvey is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Portland, Maine, with the amiable presence of an entertainer, the lyrical depth of a poet, and the enchantment of a storyteller.
- 4:30 PM
- Stephanie Ryann & Paige Davis
- Main Stage at Mechanics Park
Stephanie Ryann & Paige Davis
Former volunteer firefighter turned fashion model turned country artist, Stephanie Ryann is a woman who's got something to say, from her storyteller lyrics to the way she empowers women through her songs. Ryann's unique vocal stylings showcase her influences from country, pop, and rock music, which got her compared to the likes of Ashley McBryde and Sara Evans by her listeners. Paige Davis is an award-winning singer-songwriter, originally from New England, now living in Nashville, TN. Her songs explore the personal challenges and triumphs of your early 20's.
- 5:45 PM
- Will Evans
- Main Stage at Mechanics Park
Will Evans
Will Evans pulls everyone into his embrace. He musically accesses a space without boundaries where all are welcome to commune openly and move freely. Through quotable folk-inspired lyrics, breezy grooves, and roots energy, it’s as if he’s giving you permission to be that pure self you can’t always be at work or even at home… The Rhode Island-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist also puts his words into action via his “Kind Folk” fan community, activating small acts of kindness, charity, and goodwill in tandem with performances nationwide. After generating over 50 million streams independently, he inspires once again through a series of 2024 releases and much more to come.
- 7:00 PM
- Adam Ezra Group
- Main Stage at Mechanics Park
Adam Ezra Group
Adam Ezra's journey as an Americana songwriter and activist began over 20 years ago in unconventional venues like bars and parking lots, often raising funds for causes he supports. Despite starting with no industry connections, his band won the New England Music Award’s "Americana Act of the Year" in 2023. Notably, he forged a songwriting friendship with John Oates and was invited by The Wallflowers on tour, earning praise from SPIN Magazine. Today, with bandmates Corinna Smith, Poche Ponce, and Alex Martin, Adam continues touring nationwide, blending music with activism at festivals and grassroots events, staying true to his roots and mission.
- 8:30 PM
- Oshima Brothers
- Main Stage at Mechanics Park
Oshima Brothers
Oshima Bothers, a Japanese-Italian alt-pop sibling duo from the coast of Maine, make open hearted music with smooth blood harmonies and groovy guitar lines. On stage, Sean and Jamie offer keys, bass, drums, looping, dance moves, and magic. Offstage, the brothers enjoy sipping espresso, tinkering with guitar pedals, hosting dinner parties, and writing together in their spare bedroom studio. Embracing a DIY approach, they produce every inch of their songs and videos from scratch, including a 45-minute album film. Maine Public Radio says their “harmonies can’t be beat. They are uplifting and, let’s face it, we need uplifting these days.”
- 9:30 PM
- Sponsored by Team Letellier Realty
- Mechanics Park
Fireworks
Get ready to be dazzled! River Jam concludes with a spectacular fireworks show sponsored by Team Letellier Realty that will light up the night sky in bursts of color and sparkle. Don't miss this breathtaking display of magic and wonder!
Daytime Activities & Entertainment
Free Family Fun is always a priority at River Jam! Start the day with us at 11:00 AM and enjoy live entertainment, games & activities and more! Read on for some of the day’s highlights and get ready to have some fun!
Art Bus & Instrument Petting Zoo
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Get into the creative spirit and make some art and music of your own! The Art Bus will be on site with a hands-on 'Instrument Petting Zoo,' as well as fun arts & crafts activities for all ages.
Community Booths
11:00 AM - 2:30 PM | Visit the tents and tables set up throughout Mechanics Park and enjoy face painting as well as family-friendly games and activities while you get to know some of Biddeford's leading community organizations.
Mr. Magic
Shows at 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM | Our favorite magician Mr. Magic will be back again this year with laughter and entertainment for the whole family! Look for him in the crowd in between his shows in the gazebo!
One-Minute Portraits
Take home a fun, unique & affordable souvenir with a one-minute caricature portrait drawn by Fern Wave Studio, for just one dollar!
Pony Rides
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Thanks to the Biddeford Recreation Department, kids can hop aboard for a magical journey on our friendly ponies! Come join the fun and make some new furry friends!
Wellness Walk
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Need a break from the festival's hustle & bustle? Check out our Wellness Walk zone, where our friends from Recycle Maine, Samudra Studio Yoga, and North Sky Co. will be on site offering guided meditation on the hour, yoga on the half-hour, and a Nurture Nest for feeding and changing.
Food & Drink
Food Trucks & Vendors
Please note that the Food Trucks & Vendors listed below will begin serving at 4:00 PM, with the exception of the La Kermesse Food Truck (serving all day) and the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center’s Cultural Cuisine program (serving 1:00 to 2:30 PM).
Our lemonade and ice cream vendors will be on site all day or until sold out.
Beer & Wine Garden
Beginning at 4:00 PM, join us in the Gazebo for beer and wine from some of our favorite local brewers and purveyors, including:
Blaze Brewing Company,
Banded Brewing Co.,
Brickyard Hollow Brewing Co.,
and wine from Nibblesford Cheese Shop.
Drink tickets will be available for purchase with a valid ID. Please be prepared to show ID regardless of age.
Getting Here
Get Directions to Mechanics Park
We encourage all festival attendees to help us reduce River Jam’s impact on the environment by considering greener modes of transportation, like biking or public transit. Bike riders can take advantage of our complimentary bike valet provided by Bike BS (see below for details). For those who will be carpooling or driving, please read below for parking information.
Bike Valet courtesy of Bike BS
Once again our friends at Bike BS will be offering River Jam attendees complimentary bike parking for the entirety of the event!
- FREE all-day bike parking.
- No need to bring a lock as someone will stay with bikes at all times.
- Want more info on Bike BS? Send an email to Patrick Conlon.
Public Transportation with BSOOB Transit
- The Silver Line trolley is a free service that circulates throughout downtown Biddeford. Use the North Dam Mill stop, then cross the street to Mechanics Park for River Jam!
- All other Lines: Use either the North Dam Mill stop or the Saco Transportation Center stop. From the Saco Transportation Center, turn right onto Main Street, then cross the street at North Dam Mill to Mechanics Park!
- For real-time information and a trip planner, visit bsoobtransit.org.
On-Street Parking
- Parking on any street in Biddeford is free.
- Make sure to read all posted signage before parking as many streets in the downtown have two- or four-hour time limits.
- Time limits are doubled for all users who have a disability plaque.
- Parking on Main Street is prohibited from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily.
- There are several free perpendicular 2-hour parking and 30-minute parking spaces in the Franklin Street area.
Public Parking Lots and Parking Garage
Public parking lots in the downtown, as well as the Pearl Street Parking Garage, are operated by Premium Parking. Hourly parking can be purchased from parking kiosks located in each lot, as well as via the Premium Parking app, TextPay® or CameraPay® . The cost to park in any of these lots or in the garage is $2 per hour. Parking permits are registered by license plate number.
- Visit www.premiumparking.com for more information.
- The Pearl Street Parking Garage (P4301) located at 15 Pearl Street is 0.6 miles (~10-minute walk) from Mechanics Park. From the garage, walk down Lincoln Street and turn left onto Main Street. Then walk 0.3. miles down Main Street until you reach Mechanics Park, located at the corner of Main and Water Streets.
Road Closure Notice
On Saturday, August 17th, Water Street will be closed to traffic from Main Street to High Street from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Traffic on Pierson’s Lane and Sullivan Street will not be able to exit onto Water Street. Traffic exiting High Street will only be permitted to take a right turn onto Water Street.
Pierson’s Lane will be closed to traffic from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. There will be a “Local Traffic Only” sign placed at the intersection of Pierson’s Lane and Bacon Street. Only residents will be permitted to enter the street during this time. Should residents need to depart Pierson’s Lane, they will need to exit towards Bacon Street, going against the usual one-way traffic pattern. Pierson’s Lane residents are asked to proceed slowly and with extreme caution on this day in order to safely accommodate the unusual traffic pattern.
Main Street will remain open throughout the festival, except for a 20-minute period during the fireworks display, from 9:30 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. Cars will not be able to exit onto Main Street from the mill buildings at 2 Main Street, Biddeford, or 100 and 105 Main Street in Saco during this short period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is everything free? The only thing that requires money are the food trucks and the Beer & Wine Garden.
Will there be restrooms? YES! There will be several porta potties on site, including accessible units.
Can I bring chairs and/or blankets? YES! We encourage you to come prepared to make yourself comfortable for the day! In the evening our daytime exhibitors will have left the grounds, so there will be even more space to spread out while you enjoy the music, dinner and fireworks!
Will there be food & drink? YES! Food truck vendors will begin service at 4:00 PM, with the exception of the La Kermesse Food Truck (serving all day) and the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center’s Cultural Cuisine program (serving 1:00 to 2:30 PM). Our lemonade and ice cream vendors will be on site all day or until sold out.
Alcoholic beverages require ID and are only served in the Beer & Wine Garden. Please be prepared to show your ID at the entrance to the Beer & Wine Garden regardless of your age.
Sustainability at River Jam
River Jam is dedicated to becoming a leader in sustainable events! This year, we’re excited to offer a range of eco-friendly initiatives.
🚴 Bike BS will provide a free, all-day bike valet, making it easy for attendees to cycle to the event.
⚙️ Apex Youth Connection will be on hand with free bike repair services and bikes for sale.
🗺️ Get a map of Southern Maine’s multi-use greenway from the Eastern Trail Alliance and get ready to take your new bike for a spin!
🌲 Stop by the exhibit tables and visit our other amazing sustainability partners, including Biddeford Community Gardens and the Biddeford Sustainability Committee.
🗑️ In partnership with the Natural Resources Council of Maine and Garbage to Garden, we will ensure efficient trash, recycling, and composting services, helping us minimize our environmental footprint.
Bring your reusable bottle, park your bike, and join us in celebrating a greener, cleaner River Jam Festival!
Friday Night Events
It’s Friday, Friday… Gotta get down on Friday…
Don’t wait until Saturday to start your River Jam weekend fun! Check out these other great events happening in downtown Biddeford on Friday, August 16!
🎨**Step into the Heart of Creativity: August ArtWalk + Fringe Fest**🚶♀️
Our friends at Engine are putting together an extra-special Biddeford ArtWalk for the month of August, with extended hours from 4:00 to 9:00pm and other special events to celebrate Biddeford’s creative community!
🤣**Laugh Out Loud: Juston McKinney at City Theater**🎤
Biddeford native (Cleaves Street) and City Theater favorite, Maine Deputy Sheriff-turned-comedian Juston McKinney returns to City Theater with lots of new material to keep us all laughing through summer and tourist season in Maine. Show starts at 7:30pm. Get your tickets at citytheater.org/tickets.