FESTIVAL DRAWS ARTISTS, CRAFTERS FROM THE REGION

For arts and crafts lovers there will be merchandise to buy and demonstrations to see at Riverfest '93.

This year's Riverfest will include arts and crafts booths and working crafters exhibiting their crafts, said Nancy Ross, chairman of the Riverfest Arts and Crafts Committee.

"We have crafters coming from all over the country, including Mississippi, California and Arkansas, to sell their crafts," said Ross. "We have many who are coming back for their 10th year, which proves they do well when they come to Riverfest," she said.

The number participating this year probably will be about the same as in past years, Ross said. There are usually between 65 and 70 that take part, she said. "But we have more people coming from a greater distance this year," she said.

Ross said a lot of crafters are taking up two spaces, which means they also are bringing more to the show than in the past.

"Each year we have an outstanding variety of crafts," Ross said. "This year will be no exception."

Ross said items available for sale from artists and craftsmen include homemade jams and jellies, hand-thrown pottery, wooden toys, quilts, straw flower arrangements, puzzles, stuffed dolls and animals, puppets, cacti and other plants, T-shirts, designer men's dress coats, caricatures and pen-and-ink drawings of Cape Girardeau and other historic places in Missouri.

There also is going to be a lot of wearable art for women and children, Ross said. "There will be a lot of tie-dyed items, and the kids can participate in the making of some of these," she said.

Also returning to Riverfest for the 14th year is Cape Girardeau artist Mark Farmer. For the city's bicentennial year, which is this year, Farmer has completed detailed sketches of 1800s homes and river scenes from that era. These will be on special display at Riverfest, where he will be selling his work.

Among other exhibitors who will be selling their works are Bill Trotter of Cabool and John Stoeckley of Louisiana, Mo. Trotter produces pottery pitchers, mugs, bowls and canisters; Stoeckley does pen-and-ink drawings of Missouri's scenic pleasures.

Arts and crafts vendors will be selling their items along Main Street downtown; working crafters will be located in the shade under the trees in Courthouse Park.

"I believe with the working crafts up on the hill it will be a nice, relaxed atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the carnival," said Cheryl Ketelsen, Working Crafts chairman. "Especially with the bicentennial, these should be even more meaningful to see these demonstrations because we can take a trip back into history with these crafts," she said.

To add to the bicentennial atmosphere, Ketelsen said they have encouraged the exhibiters to dress in heritage-type clothing.

Featured in the working crafts area will be an assortment of wood carvers, flint knappers, quilters, sketchers, basket weavers and a leathersmith, said Ketelsen.

There also will be a hands-on demonstration of hand-print T-shirts, Ketelsen said. It is something that the people will enjoy, especially because the children can participate in it, she said.