A Jamestown Parks Department employee trims weeds around the new pedestrian bridge that goes from the Greater Jamestown RiverWalk’s north shore extension to Panzarella Park. The Greater Jamestown RiverWalk’s Bridge Fest to celebrate the grand opening of the two pedestrian bridges will start at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with a ribbon cutting ceremony, which will be followed by live music and activities along the north shore extension between the two new pedestrian bridges. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

Come by vehicle, land or kayak to Bridge Fest 2018 in downtown Jamestown on Saturday.

To celebrate the official opening of the two new pedestrian bridges along the Greater Jamestown RiverWalk in downtown Jamestown, a bridge festival is taking place along the Chadakoin River, which will start with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The grand opening ceremony will be followed by live music and activities along the north shore extension of the Riverwalk between the two new pedestrian bridges.

Bill Stevenson, city Riverfront Management Council chairman, said the bridge fest is happening this year after celebrating the improvements to McCrea Point Park last year. He said in future years, city officials would like to continue hosting an annual festival along the RiverWalk.

“People should come by kayak up from McCrea Point Park,” Stevenson said. “This Bridge Fest is going to be a real showcase for the two new pedestrian bridges.”

The fun, music and food occurring during the bridge fest will include bike rentals from the Jamestown Cycle Shop; Sun-Dance-Kids Farm Petting Zoo; chainsaw carving by Vince Liuzzo and Sherwood Arts; chalk wall drawings by Gary Peters Sr. and Jr.; Kokomo Time Band performing between 11 am. to 3 p.m.; and food and drink from the Babe Ruth World Series committee; Harvest Time Cafe; Country Kettle Korn; Havana Cuban Cafe & Pizzeria; and the Riverfront Management Council.

“The Cycle Shop got six brand new bikes for this,” Stevenson said.

Parking will be available downtown north of the RiverWalk along Second and Third streets, with pedestrian access via stairs on the east side of the Jamestown Gateway Train Station and the future National Comedy Center; south of the RiverWalk at the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities Steele Street location; and west of the RiverWalk at the Jamestown Area Medical Associates parking lot.

The two COR-TEN steel superstructures that feature wooden decks, a rustic metal look and lighting were first installed in October 2017, with one bridge connecting the north shore and south shore of the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk below the Washington Street Bridge and the other bridge connecting the Riverwalk’s north shore extension with Panzarella Park.

In October 2014, state officials announced the city would be receiving $1.6 million in funding for the construction of the two pedestrian bridges. The $2 million project required the city to use the $400,000 First Instance Urban Development Action Grant as the local funding match.