LEAVING THE RIVER OUT OF IT

Although Cape Girardeau's Riverfest is held near the Mississippi River, the unpredictability of Old Man River the past five years has made it impossible for Riverfest planners to schedule activities on the waterfront. For that reason, no Riverfest activities will be held on the river again this year.

"It's really frustrating to all of us to put on Riverfest each year but not be able to schedule any type of waterfront activities," said Janie Ervin, director of special events. "A prime example is the pirate ship that was scheduled at the waterfront for Riverfest; it can't come up the river because of high water and debris in the river between Cairo and New Orleans.

"And in past years the river has been so high during Riverfest that people could not safely watch the waterfront activities, or there was so much debris in the water that it wasn't safe for such things as the ski show," said Ervin.

Ervin said Riverfest planners begin working on Riverfest during the winter and early spring. They must make commitments at that time for waterfront programs that will be held on the river in early June, when the river may be at or above flood stage or at its normal early-summertime level.

This year the river should be well below flood stage for Riverfest, probably at or below 20 feet. Last year the river stage during Riverfest was 29-30 feet, in 1992 it was 12-13, and in 1991 it was 27-28 feet.

Although there will be no activities scheduled on the river this year, Riverfest-goers will be able to enjoy the Riverfront Park outside the floodwall.