VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – National Scenic Byway Foundation announced the Inaugural 2020 Byway Organization Awards Visitor Experience Award:

The award went to the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway Sheyenne RiverFest, a new byway event, took place on August 1, 2019. Byway Committee members working with the Valley City Convention & Visitors Bureau brainstormed the concept of an event to bring people to the area.

The goal of RiverFest was to get people excited and learn about using the scenic Sheyenne River and spending quality time in the area. The Byway Committee invited partners to collaborate on the Festival.

A series of meetings was held and it was decided that it would be best to do the RiverFest in two byway locations to get the greatest participation. A world record non-motorized boat launch was proposed on the Sheyenne River at two byway sites.

Byway committee members put together a raffle to help finance and sustain the event. Prizes were donated by businesses, public organizations and individuals.