PLENTY OF FAMILY FUN AT RIVERFEST

Riverfest '97's theme "Come Home to Riverfest, Family, Friends, and Fun" will be featured in the festival's Family Fun Village and the Miller Spectacular Shows.

Riverfest official Jerra Hutson said the Family Fun Village will be manned with 40 volunteers and will have many activities for children.

"There will be a petting zoo with deer and llamas," she said. "There will be no cost for the village activities except for the pony rides."

Children who win games in the village will be given tickets for prizes. "Each child can win three prizes a day," said Hutson. "Every child entering the village will be given a token for a free root beer."

Keeping with the village's western theme, Cape Girardeau Boy Scout Troop 5 will be building the front entrance to the village of pioneer-style construction.

"Stars of the Future," a talent showcase featuring area youths, will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Among other village activities will be turtle races, hands-on crafts, puppet shows, games, storytelling, stage entertainment, clowns, and strolling characters.

The Miller Spectacular Shows has been a Riverfest favorite. Jeremy Miller said his family is proud of the new giant ferris wheel ride that will be at Riverfest. "It is over 60 feet tall and has tubs that will hold a whole family," he said.

Miller said the show also has a new merry-go-round and will bring back the popular "Ring of Fire" roller coaster that goes in a giant circle. Along with the traditional carnival food concessions, the Miller Shows will have a variety of games.

The Miller Spectacular Shows will be in the parking lot near the south floodgate during the two-day event.

FAMILY FUN VILLAGE EVENTS

Friday

4 p.m. -- Puppet show

6 p.m. -- Balloon animals and strolling magician

6:30 p.m. -- Magic show

7 p.m. -- Stars of the Future

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Little Miss Fun-in-the-Sun

12:30 p.m. -- Story telling

1 p.m. -- Organized games

3 p.m. -- Puppet Show

4 p.m. -- Turtle races

5 p.m. -- Story telling

6 p.m. -- Strolling magician and balloon animals

6:30 p.m. -- Magic show

7 p.m. -- Stars of the Future