PORT NECHES — Early morning showers cleared out in time for boat race aficionados as they cheered on their favorite drivers during Thunder on the Neches races during RiverFest on Saturday.

Katy Terry of Thibodeaux, Louisiana along with her children and dog were stationed at the boat ramp area as her husband, Dustin Terry, sped his Formula 1 boat through the waters.

“He’s been racing since he was 16 and he’s 30,” Katy Terry said, adding that he used to race tri-hull boats and switched to the Formula 1 about three years ago.

A scene from Thunder on the Neches powerboat races during Port Neches RiverFest on Saturday.
Mary Meaux/The News

A scene from Thunder on the Neches powerboat races during Port Neches RiverFest on Saturday.
Mary Meaux/The News

After the checkered flag was waved and the racers left the water Terry and children moved to a different area where they met with Dustin Terry.

Terri Ottinger of Baytown was on hand to watch as he son, John Michael Ottinger, 18, raced.

“He started out in j-hydros (junior division),” Terri Ottinger said.

Chris Manuel, right, grabs a snack from Southern Comfort Catering food booth as his wife, Amy, and sons, Alex and Gauge, look on during Port Neches RiverFest on Saturday.
Mary Meaux/The News

Over at the food vendor area Chris and Amy Manuel and their children Alex and Gauge stopped by Southern Comfort Catering of Woodville for a snack.

The Manuels enjoy RiverFest and were there to cheer on three friends who were racing, Chris Manuel said.

Mary Meaux/The News
Carly Harvey with Pop Central Popcorn and JoJo Froyo grabs some snacks during Port Neches RiverFest on Saturday.
Mary Meaux/The News

Not far away Carly Harvey of Fannett stopped by a food booth and grabbed some corndogs. Harvey was there with Pop Central Popcorn and JoJo Froyo.

The fun continues Sunday with boat races, carnival, vendors, entertainment, the announcement of the Mother of the Year, introduction of the 2016 Miss Port Neches pageant winners and more.

Email: mary.maux@panews.com

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