ORANGE — Although thunderstorms are on the horizon, organizers of Saturday’s Orange Solstice Riverfest are hoping the weather will hold out so boats with unique, fantastical designs can take to the water.

Now in its eighth year, the event features live music, local vendors and lots of food. Jerry Whaland, owner of Billy Goat Boats, who joined the event’s organizing committee in 2019, credited the people involved, including White Cloud Diner co-owner Jennifer Sheldon who coordinates the food vendors and Trail Head Outfitters & General Store owner Stephanie Cook, who works with those vendors who sell items other than food.

“I deal with getting the fire pits out and hopefully lit and not rained out,” Whaland said with a laugh, alluding to a feature of the traditional lighted boat parade.

As of Wednesday, the forecast for the weekend calls for a high chance of thunderstorms. Whaland said that if this happens, they’ll likely cancel the event, with the final call being made Thursday evening. Should it just rain, however, he expects that the event will proceed as planned. One backup plan involves moving the event into Billy Goat Boats and have the bands play there. In the end, he said safety is of the utmost importance.

“We’re not going to let it [the planning] go to waste,” he said. “It might turn into a soggy celebration and I hope that’s not what happens.”

Should all go well, people can expect to see a wide array of decorated canoes in the lighted boat parade on the Millers River, near the Orange Community Boathouse and the Fire Station. Participants can bring their own canoes, kayaks or other non-motorized watercraft, or they can rent one from Billy Goat Boats, with a 20% discount after 5 p.m. Boats will gather and launch upstream at the boat ramp. At 8:55 p.m., boats shall paddle together, downstream, toward the floating fire pits. Participants will paddle around the fire pits while the judges make their decisions.

Whaland said some of the more memorable designs have included a pumpkin boat, another with a green dragon, and a paddle boat with a large rubber duck and blue and white balloons to resemble bubbly water. The dragon boat was designed at the last moment, once the participants learned they’d get a green boat. After that, Whaland recalled that they headed to Walmart to get their supplies.

“They made their decision and went for it,” he said. “That was all done in a day.”

Whaland is hopeful that he can take part in the boat parade with his daughter, and incorporating umbrellas into the design has been discussed.

“I thought some umbrellas can make really cool flowers or mushrooms,” he said.

Solstice Riverfest will also feature a mix of entertainment starting at 5 p.m. Remember When Band and The Can Collectors will provide live music, while Inspiraled Arts will return with fire spinners and members of the Inside/Out Dance Co. will showcase their skills. Magician Peter Nail will be among the new additions, with Whaland noting Nail had done his own performance among the crowd at a previous Solstice Riverfest. He said organizers were so impressed with Nail’s work, he was invited to formally join the lineup of entertainers.

“He’ll kind of work the crowd, making things fun wherever he goes,” Whaland said.

Nine food vendors are ready to go, including the Orange Lions Club, Off the Hooks, Topsy’s and Honest Weight Artisan Beer. Other vendors include Made by Mary, Face Escape, Beads by Tea and Old Town Farm.

Whaland said he used to watch the lighted boats before he became one of the volunteers. He noted the event has grown a lot over the years, often changing its footprint in the area. One thing that’s remained the same, though, is the vendors and craftspeople who join Solstice Riverfest.

“Bring your sense of adventure,” he advised. “Because we can plan a great event, but we can’t plan the weather.”

For more information, visit orangeriverfest.com.

Max Bowen can be reached at 413-930-4074 or at mbowen@recorder.com.

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