PORT NECHES, Texas — After five days of fun, the Port Neches RiverFest is officially wrapping up.
However, fun is not the only the only thing that the festival has to offer.
The Port Neches Chamber of Commerce holds holds this five day fundraiser to raise money, give out scholarships, and give back to the community.
"It's just Great the city of Port Neches has been behind this again for 20 plus years so for to keep coming back I mean it's just a great thing to be doing this with Port Neches," said R.J. West.
West was the winner of the 20th annual Port Neches RiverFest Formula One Final, and he says that he enjoys participating in the fundraiser.
"And to be able to give back to them is great, cause they give us a great place to race," said West.
West looks forward to making the long trip all the way from California every year and participating in the races each year.
"I love the town, I mean it's an addiction honestly this is our second family some of our firsts family. Some of our best friends in the world are here so that's why we're back," said West.
Along with West, hundreds of people gathered Sunday at River Front Park for the last day of RiverFest.
"Port Neches River Fest Is a nonprofit for the Chamber of Commerce to collect money to give back to the community," said River Fest Committee member, Eric Sullivan.
Sullivan is proud of all that the festival has been able to accomplish.
"We got boat races, you got concerts, carnival, food vendors, there is all kinds of things going," said Sullivan.
The Chamber of Commerce plans to use the proceeds from RiverFest to bring back Tug Boat Island.
"It was a community built project 30 years ago in the middle of the park, and the community built it. Over the years the wooden stuff started getting bad and we had to tear (it) down," said Sullivan.
They want to breath new life back into the park, and Sullivan has a plan.
"Create the funds, get donations to build that park back," Sullivan said.
Jarrad Broussard is the owner of Pizza Inn in Port Neches, and each year he sponsors an airboat in his grandfather's, Donny Broussard, honor.
"My grandpa did it years ago (he) was number 35, which is Schmerbauch, we face the 45s. When RiverFest first started he started doing it and I kept it going," said Broussard.
Broussard says that this festival benefits a lot of local businesses.
"It helps bring so many people to the area. That come to races. We get business out of it. They all go eat, I supply pieces for all the drivers. It's just a good time you know," said Broussard.
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