RIVERFEST CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Riverfest celebrates its 20th anniversary with a new layout and a focus on music.

Riverfest will be held June 12 and 13 in downtown Cape Girardeau. Friday's events begin at 4 p.m. Saturday's events begin at 10:30 a.m. and conclude following fireworks at 9 p.m. on the riverfront.

"We are celebrating 20 years with a whole new look," said David Hutson with the Riverfest Association. "We have good corporate sponsorship this year, and everybody is real excited."

As in the past, Riverfest and its entertainment is offered free of charge.

In past years, Riverfest brought in one "big name" performer, which proved expensive.

This year 20 musical groups will be featured on five outdoor stages offering a larger variety of performances, Hutson said.

Performers will play country, rock, blues, reggae, pop, ska, folk, bluegrass, salsa, Cajun and Christian music. In addition, strolling musicians will travel the streets of Riverfest.

Among groups performing are Papa Aborigine, The Little Rock Band and Under the Influence.

Riverfest's layout has been redesigned to accommodate more stages and more people, Hutson said.

The main stage this year in on the parking lot at Water and Broadway streets. Four smaller stages have themed performances throughout the weekend.

The family stage at the Courthouse features acts for children, including a fiddling contest, a visit with Barney, and the traditional Turtle Race and Best Dressed Turtle contest.

The country stage will be at the corner of Main and Independence streets, in front of Papa Bear's. The bluegrass stage will be on Water Street in front of Port Cape. And the blues and rock stage will be on Water Street in front of Jeremiah's.

Restaurants will offer courtyard dining during performances.

In addition, picnic tables and chairs will be available at each stage, and a food court area is being developed.

The bicycle stunt returns to Riverfest Saturday afternoon. A Bungee Run is new to the festival. Carnival rides will return. Another addition to Riverfest is a petting zoo.

The information booth will move to the area around the clock at Themis and Main streets to provide a more central location, Hutson said.

Angela Morris with the Riverfest Association said fewer crafters will be at this year's festival than have attended in the past. Those attending will be located throughout the festival grounds.

"We will have crafters, but not as many as in the past," said Morris. "Typically Riverfest isn't a good craft show for crafters. People love to look, but they don't necessarily buy."

Crafters will be on Main and Water streets wherever power supplies are available.

Corporate sponsors are Southwestern Bell, Yellow Pages, Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, KBSI-TV and UPN 49, Zimmer Radio Group, K103 and Q99.