Riverside RamFest Celebrates Community

Held each spring at Riverside High School, RamFest has evolved from a small gathering into a community-wide celebration featuring more than 60 vendors, multiple food trucks, a car show, live music, games, and activities for all ages. For Riverside Superintendent Ken Russell, the event is about much more than entertainment. "We are teaching kids through our actions," Russell said. "Part of it is teaching kids how to build community in a small town. The second thing is bringing the community and the schools together and really trying to be a positive place. We want to model for our students – love over hate and unity over division." Russell said the idea for RamFest was born shortly after he arrived in Riverside in 2016. During a listening tour with community members, he repeatedly heard residents talk about a community carnival that had once been a cherished local tradition. "Everybody started bringing up this carnival they used to have years ago," Russell said. "People loved it and wanted something like that again." While insurance and liability requirements made it impossible to recreate the carnival exactly as it once existed, Russell said district leaders decided to create a modern version that captured the same spirit of togetherness. "People wanted that sense of community, and we weren't doing it, so we decided to get it going," he said. Since then, RamFest has grown steadily each year. What was once organized by only a few people now involves a large planning committee made up of staff members, Parent Teacher Organization representatives, booster clubs, students, and volunteers, Russell said. Student involvement is a key component of the event, he added. Students serve on planning committees and help organize activities throughout the district. Russell said elementary students participate in carnival games, middle school students help coordinate sports activities such as volleyball, and high school students assist with the popular car show, games, and community activities. Cheerleaders provide face painting for younger children, while other students help run activities, ranging from cornhole and football tosses to Civil Air Patrol demonstrations. Russell hopes students learn that build- ing a strong community requires effort. "Building community requires action, not just talking about it," he said. "By planning, coordinating, and doing the hard work, students learn how a simple concept can help build a culture." One of the fastest-growing attractions is the car show. After featuring 29 vehicles last year, Russell said they had more than 40 entries this year and were approaching 50 before weather concerns affected participation. The car show was introduced to attract older generations and create opportunities for interaction between community members of all ages. "We wanted something that would bring in the older generation," Russell said. "We wanted them to see how great the kids are." The event also aims to strengthen ties with Riverside alumni. The Root Beer Garden serves as a gathering place where former students can reconnect and stay informed about district activities, Russell said. This year, organizers introduced a new tradition celebrating Riverside's deep roots in the community. According to Russell, a memory walk was added to recognize families with five generations of Riverside graduates, highlighting the district's long-standing connection to local fam- ilies. RamFest's success also relies heavily on local businesses, organizations and vendors. Unlike many festivals, vendors are not charged a participation fee, encouraging small businesses, farms and community organizations to become involved. "We want people here building relationships," Russell said. "The local businesses and organizations make up a huge part of what RamFest is." For Russell, RamFest represents the best of what a small-town community can be. "A lot of this is mission-driven for me," he said. "It gives me hope for our district, our kids, and our community. To me, it's a symbol, in one moment of time, of what life should be."