RAFT Pavilion Opens with Ribbon Cutting and Farmers Market Kickoff
Community members gather as Mayor Billy Phelps and Danielle Parrin, winner of the naming contest, cut the ribbon to officially open the new RAFT pavilion—Riverside Artisans and Farmers Trade—on May 3, 2025, in Morgantown. PHOTO | Beverly Bonilla
Story and Photos by Beverly Bonilla
The day has finally come to open the new pavilion on Old River Road by the Green River boat dock. On May 3, many came to witness the ribbon cutting of the RAFT. The City of Morgantown handed out lime green bags decorated with the RAFT name on them for everyone who stopped by. Mayor Billy Phelps stated that he appreciated everyone showing up and that it only made sense that it was raining since that area has not flooded in 30 years, but it has flooded twice in the last month and a half.
The name for the pavilion “RAFT” came from a contest that was held to name the building. Danielle Parrin won that contest and was able to cut the ribbon along with Mayor Phelps. RAFT stands for “Riverside Artisans and Farmers Trade. The name was picked because it fits perfectly for what is going on down by the river. The projects are not done yet, there are plans for a walking path, bathrooms and a fish cleaning station.
Mayor Billy Phelps and contest winner Danielle Parrin cut the ribbon on May 3, 2025, to officially open the new RAFT pavilion on Old River Road. PHOTO | Beverly Bonilla
The day also started off the 2025 Farmers Market that will be held at the RAFT every Saturday between 8:00am-sold out during the season. There were 12 participants set up to sell their handmade products, many of those lime green bags that were handed out by the City of Morgantown started getting filled up with items that were bought.
If you get a chance on Saturdays, come on out and see what treasures you can find to purchase.
