About the Longfellow River Gorge Festival

The Longfellow River Gorge festival is one of LCC’s longest-running annual events. Each fall, we honor and celebrate the Mississippi River, its history, and its vital ongoing importance to humans and wildlife. The festival educates the community about the River’s functions and ecology in a fun, approachable way, with a focus on restoration and conservation.With free guided tours, canoe rides, ice cream, and dozens of interactive activities, the River Gorge Festival draws over 600 community members to the riverside each year.

With declining financial support from government sources, Longfellow Community Council must rely on the community to support the River Gorge Fest. Last year, we raised over $2,000 from participants and community members who cherish this event and want it to continue. This year, we are asking local businesses to sponsor the River Gorge Festival, so we can keep celebrating the Mississippi River for years to come!

Sponsor the River Gorge Festival

(scroll down for more details)


Breakdown of the Different Sponsorship Levels

 
Bluebells – $250
  • dedicated social media post
  • two festival t-shirts
 
Bellwort – $500
  • logo on website + newsletter
  • dedicated social media post
  • two festival t-shirts
 
Bloodroot – $1,000
  • shout out during event
  • featured on signs at festival
  • logo on website + newsletter
  • dedicated social media post
  • four festival t-shirts
 
Bur Oak – $1,500
  • event table/experience
  • shout out during event
  • featured on signs at festival
  • logo on website + newsletter
  • dedicated social media post
  • six festival t-shirts

Sponsorship FAQ

What is the festival’s total cost?

This year’s budget for the River Gorge Fest is around $6,000. What started as a volunteer-led ice cream social has evolved into a much larger event that requires permits, porta-potties, and contracts. We also want to pay our guides, musicians, and canoe leaders fairly, which requires more funding than we’ve used in the past. Previously, the festival was almost entirely funded by government funds from the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). However, as we reach the end of our remaining NRP funds, the River Gorge Fest requires more financial support from the community to continue.

Is there a deadline to sponsor?

Yes – you need to register as a sponsor and send us your logo by August 7, 2026.

Is my sponsorship tax-deductible?

Yes – Your sponsorship amount is fully tax-deductible, minus the fair market value of the festival t-shirts, which is $20/shirt. That amount will be removed from your total tax-deductible amount. For example, if you sponsor at the $1,000 (Bloodroot) level, your total tax-deductible amount will be $920 ($1,000 – 4($20)).

What if I don’t want t-shirts?

That’s fine! When registering as a sponsor, you can decline the t-shirts (which are called tangible benefits). Doing so will make your sponsorship amount fully tax-deductible. 

How do I sign up?

Choose the level you’d like to sponsor at, and fill out the Givebutter payment form on this page. You’ll be asked whether you want the t-shirts or not, and you’ll need to agree with the River Gorge Festival Sponsorship Terms & Conditions. After that, LCC will reach out to get your logo and shirt sizes.

Who can I contact for more information?

Email LCC’s Executive Director, Joel McReynolds, at with any questions or if you’d like more information about sponsoring the 2026 Longfellow River Gorge Festival.