MARIETTA — It will be bike, paddle and drink during Marietta’s Annual River Trails and Ales Festival.

The festival will be Aug. 6-9 and will once again feature free organized mountain and road bike rides along with paddling activities, kayak races, and kid’s events.

Hallie Taylor, festival director for the River Trails and Ales Festival, said the event reaches all types of audiences.

“There’s something for everyone, of all ages and skill levels,” said Taylor. “Some groups come in for the more serious road biking and mountain biking, but many more head out on casual rides around town, a fun paddle, or shopping and craft beer drinking!”

Festivities begin at 9 p.m. Thursday, at the kick-off party hosted by the Marietta Brewing Company. The MBC is launching a new signature Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival brew to go along with its six current in-house brews.

Friday will feature a number of kayak and bike trips including a bicycle scavenger hunt, family fun ride and the Paddler’s Dice Run. In the evening participants will be able to explore downtown during the Merchants and Artists Walk.

Saturday will feature a number of bike and kayak trips/races ranging from beginner to intermediate levels of difficulty. Saturday the Specialized Bicycle Demo truck will be on-site from 9-3 p.m. for a mountain bike demo, and casual cycling events include a bicycle scavenger hunt, kids bike rodeo and bike parade.

On Sunday the festival will conclude with the Mighty Muskingum River Raft Race where participants race their own makeshift hand-crafted boats on a two-mile stretch of the Muskingum River.

Taylor noted the event is great for Marietta-Washington County and those who visit to participate.

“It’s all about getting out and doing things rather than staying put in one location, it’s thrilling to see locals and visitors alike showing up to head out on outdoor adventures,” Taylor said.

The Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization. The mission of the bureau is to promote Marietta and Washington County as a distinctive destination. To learn more about the Marietta-Washington County CVB, visit www.mariettaohio.org