The Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival (aka RTA Fest) is a grass-roots outdoor enthusiast festival located in the Appalachian foothills of Southeast Ohio. Highlighting Marietta’s easily-accessible outdoor activities and charming downtown commercial district together in one event-filled package, the RTA Festival is designed to appeal to visitors and locals alike.

The RTA Fest is a celebration of our gorgeous natural assets and the community we get to call home. As the first settlement of the Northwest Territory, Marietta is known as the Pioneer City and our festival is nothing short of pioneered—through the dedicated efforts of local businesses, nonprofits, city officials, and volunteers alike, our city welcomes 2,000+ festival-goers to experience why Marietta, Ohio is continually ranked as a Best Small Town in America. Our community cares and this festival is only a success because of the hard work of many.

Schedule of Events 

August 10, 2023

6 -7 PM: RTA Jam Session @ Gunlock Park located behind Lowe's off SR7 (842 Pike Street)

7:30-9PM: Kick-off Party @ 740 Social (181 Front St)

August 11, 2023

Anytime FRIDAY:
Historic Bicycle Scavenger Hunt
*Turn in scorecards to win prizes
Mighty Musky River Riddler (Anytime after 10am)

8AM: Yoga with Natalie Ball @ Headerquarters (HQ)
- Please bring your own mat and beach towel (for morning dew)

9am: Festival HQ Opens located @ East Muskingum Park
(310 Front St.) Stop by 9-10:00am to register for the free group
rides and pick up information for the day’s events.

9am: Gnome Adventure Hike @ Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge
(3982 Waverly Rd, Williamstown, WV).

10am: GROUP RIDES Depart from Festival HQ

Mountain Bike:  Kick-off ride for intermediate to advanced (13-30 miles) skills. New riders should consider the Saturday 9am Skills Clinic.

Road Bike:

16mi Caywood Loop: 1200 feet of climbing. Tough start, but moderates after Stanleyville. B

 26mi Stanleyville/Pleasant Ridge Loop: 1929 feet of climbing. If the climbing has been difficult for you, you can switch to the 16 mile route at Stanleyville. Both Friday rides are the same to Stanleyville at about 6 miles.

Both Friday Road Bike Rides rides are the same to Stanleyville at about 6 miles.

Around Town:

Historic 5+ mile tour on city streets with many stops

11am - Close: Saucy Brew Works Tap Takeover at the Harmar Tavern

12pm: Veto Lake Lunch Paddle

12pm: Tots and Trikes Mini Trail Ride

12pm - Close: Barbells and Mommas Prenatal and Postpartum Care Tent

2pm: Family Fun Ride departs from RTA Festival HQ

5–9pm: Beer Pairing Prix Fixe Menu @ House of Wines

5pm: Kids Group Trail Run @ Mill Creek trail head (off of Colegate
Drive).

5:30pm: Gnome Adventure Hike @ Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge
(3982 Waverly Rd, Williamstown, WV)

6–7:40pm: Live on Putnam: Jake Binegar

8pm: Mountain Bike (MTB)-Night Ride: Meet-up at the gravel lot at
100 Mill Creek Rd in Marietta.

8–11pm: Adam Parker & The Bourbon Cowboys @ Town House

9pm: Paul Thorn @ The Adelphia Music Hall. Doors open at 7.

August 12, 2023

Anytime Saturday:
Historic Bicycle Scavenger Hunt
*Turn in scorecards to win prizes
Mighty Musky River Riddler

8am: Yoga with Lauren Kager @ Festival HQ
- Please bring your own mat and beach towel (for morning dew)

8:30am: Hiking @ Broughton’s
Explore Broughton’s Nature & Wildlife Education Area with a hike leader on a 3 to 4.5 mile hike.

9am: Festival HQ Opens @ East Muskingum Park (310 Front St) Stop by 9-10:00am to register for the free group rides and pick up information for the day’s events.

9am–12pm: Youth & Adult MTB Skills Clinic

9am–1pm: roll: Bicycle Company Presents: Design Your Ride! Bike Demo

9am—7pm: Barbells and Mommas Prenatal and Postpartum Care Tent

9am: Tai Chi @ HQ presented by Memorial Health System

9am: Historic Lock-thru Paddle

9:30am–7pm: Marietta HS Rowing Challenge

10am: GROUP RIDES Depart from Festival HQ

Mountain Bike:
- Beginner (~6mi), Intermediate (~13mi), or Advanced (~18mi) (with plenty of bailout options) + GRAVEL
New Riders should consider the 9am Skills Clinic

Road Bike:
- 15mi River Road to Rainbow Out n Back: 616 feet of climbing.
Pleasant, easy ride.
- 24mi Huck Road/River Road West Side Loop: 1217 feet of climbing. Huck road is the main set of hills on this route. Other than that it is rolling.
- 34mi 676 Churchtown/Lowell Hill/River Road Loop: 1865 feet of climbing. For a less strenuous start, Pearl street is a possible route change. Talk to ride leader before doing this.

Around Town:
- Historic 5+ mile tour on city streets with many stops

12–3pm: Kids Bike Rodeo and Strider Adventure Zone @ HQ

12–3pm: Tortoise and the Hare Training Camp

1–2pm: Specialized Bikes Presents: Intro to Bikepacking

2pm: Family Fun Ride departs from Festival HQ

2–6pm: FREE Foam Party @ HQ by the Foam Garage!

3–4pm: RTA Beer Fest VIP Hour @ the Festival HQ

3–7pm: RTA Adventure Expo @ the Festival HQ

4–7pm: RTA Beer Fest General Admissions @ the Festival HQ

5–9pm: Beer Pairing Prix Fixe Menu @ House of Wines.

7:30pm: The Tortoise & Hare World Championship! @ Festival HQ

8pm: (After The Tortoise & Hare): Prize Drawings @ Festival HQ.

August 13, 2023

7am–11am: Mighty Musky River Riddler

8:30am: Hiking @ Broughton’s

8:30am: Buckley Island Exploration Paddle + Hike

9am: Festival HQ Opens @ East Muskingum Park (310 Front St) Stop by 9-10:00am to register for the free group rides and pick up information for the day’s events.

9am: Tai Chi @ HQ presented by Memorial Health System.

10am: GROUP RIDES Depart from Festival HQ

Mountain Bike:
- Recovery ride (1-25 miles - ride until you are “recovered”)

Road Bike:
- 45mi SR821 to Germantown to Dalzell to Stanleyville and back on SR26: 2800 feet of climbing. A beautiful tour of the Wayne National Forest.

10am: Appalachian Understories Presents: Beginners Botany by Bike

10am: Marietta City Group Trail Run: 3–5 miles and departs from Festival HQ.

1pm: MOV’n Dragons’ Dragon Boat Exhibition

1:30pm: Gnome Adventure Hike @ Kroger Wetlands (80 Acme St)

Date: August 10-13, 2023

Locations: Various Venues in Marietta, OH 45750

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