Event kicks off on Second Street in downtown Ironton

On Thursday afternoon, Market Square in downtown Ironton was ready to kick off the 15th annual Rally on the River.

“We are set up and ready to rally,” said Suzie Hamlin, a member of Friends of Ironton. “All we need is the people to show up.”

On the main stage, Axis was going through a sound check about an hour before they were set to perform. Vendors were set up and ready to sell everything from Bahama Mamas to leather goods. Under the big tent, Friends of Ironton were putting beer on ice.

When asked if the weekend’s forecast of rain would affect the rally, Hamlin pointed to the big tent.

“If it rains a lot, everyone just crowds under there,” she said, adding that it should be okay because the forecast doesn’t call for steady rain. “This is a rain or shine rally.”

Hamlin said that surprisingly, in the past decade and a half, they haven’t lost many days to rain.

“We’ve only lost three complete days to rain in 15 years,” she said. “We had rain last year. Nobody went home, they all ran under the tent until it was over. The band came out and the rally continued on.”

The rally begins today at noon and runs to midnight. From 6-8 p.m., Seditious will perform on the main stage. At 8 p.m., Black Foot Gypsies take the stage and at 10 p.m., there will be a Van Halen tribute band.

 

Rally on the River Schedule

Friday
Rally hours: Noon to midnight

• Noon: Vendors open at rally grounds

• 6-8 p.m.: Seditious, main stage

• 8-9:30 p.m.: Black Foot Gypsies, main stage

• 9:30 -10 p.m.: 50/50 and Queen of
Hearts drawings, Ro-Na Theater

• 10-11:45 p.m.: Van Halen tribute band,
main stage

• Midnight: Rally grounds close

 

Saturday
Rally hours: 10 a.m.-midnight

• Noon: Vendors open at rally grounds

• Noon-4 p.m.: Bike show, exhibition area,
Bobby Bare Boulevard, registration from noon-
2 p.m.; show 2-4 p.m.

• 1-3 p.m.:  Karaoke main stage

• 3-5 p.m.: FTC Wrestling, main stage;
Portsmouth Motorcycle Club sponsored
Poker Run

• 5-6:30 p.m.: Creeks Don’t Rise, main stage

• 6-8:30 p.m.: Miss Freddye-Lady of the
Blues, main stage

• 8-9:30 p.m.: Geneva, main stage

• 9:30 -10 p.m.: 50/50 and Queen of Hearts
drawings, Ro-Na Theater

• 10:30 p.m.-midnight: Thunderstruck-
America’s AC/DC Tribute Band

• Midnight: Rally grounds close