RIVERFEST OFFERS PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

Youngsters attending Riverfest this weekend will have plenty to do.

A parade, turtle races, a riverboat ride and a safety talk with several characters like McGruff the Crime Dog are just a few of the many activities that will be available to children Friday and Saturday, said Susan Helwege of the Children's Activities Committee for Riverfest.

The first Riverfest Children's Parade will leave Capaha Park Saturday at 9 a.m. and will follow Broadway to Water Street.

"The theme of the parade is safety," said Helwege. "We really want to stress that. All riders in the parade must wear safety equipment, and we're featuring safety characters."

Parade attractions, in addition to McGruff the Crime Dog, will be Buckle Bear, Vince and Larry the Crash Dummies, KBSI Kids Club members, Bugs Bunny, Buster and Babs Bunny, Bart Simpson, Kool K and Jill, and other participants.

Children's and youth crafts will be open for all on the courthouse lawn. "There will be a lot for children to do. The activities are for various age groups from 2 to 13," Helwege said. "Some of the activities are offered every year, but many of them are new, like the riverboat ride and many of the crafts."

Following the parade is a riverboat ride for children called the "Kids' Kruise." Children pay $2 for the one-hour ride.

Children's activities kick off Friday at 4 p.m. All of the events are free, said Helwege.

Children's crafts will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Activities will include face-painting, T-shirt decorating (children should bring their own shirts), banner-making, and several other events. A large trough of water will be provided for children to try out the toy boats they can make.

A sidewalk chalking contest will begin at 5 p.m., and there also will be a bean-bag throw and a magician to entertain the youngsters.

From 6 to 7 p.m., children can design crowns and play dress-up with last year's Riverfest queen, Julie Schoeninger.

Saturday's activities for children start with the parade and riverboat ride.

After returning from the Kids' Kruise, children and parents are encouraged to go to the courthouse lawn at noon for the Safety Talk with the police and fire departments, featuring Freddie the Fire Engine, McGruff the Crime Dog, Vince and Larry the Crash Dummies, and Buckle Bear.

Children's crafts will be available again on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. A magician will be on the courthouse lawn from noon to 3 p.m. Also from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, the Humane Society will have puppies at Riverfest for children to play with. They will provide information on adoption and other services offered at the Humane Society.

Turtle races and best-dressed turtle contests will begin Saturday at 3 p.m. Registration is from noon to 2:45 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. Turtle events are open to children ages 12 and under.

The first heat of the turtle races begin at 3 p.m. Certificates will be awarded to the winners of each heat. Then heat winners will race to determine a champion. The overall winner will receive a $50 savings bond from Boatmen's Bank.

Only hard-shelled box turtles are allowed, and they should not be painted. Turtles will be numbered in a safe manner before the races.

The best-dressed turtle event starts Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The same rules as the turtle races apply. In addition, no glue can be used on the turtles. A $50 savings bond will be awarded to the winner.

Shop -n- Save will host a Gerard coloring contest at 4 p.m. There will be three age groups for children 5 and under, 6 to 8 and 9 to 12 years of age. The prizes are a riverboat ride for the children and their parents.

A sand castle contest for children will take place on the courthouse parking lot at 4:30. "We're having nine tons of sand hauled in," Helwege said. "There will be prizes for most imaginative, most unique and largest or smallest sandcastles.

Storytime is 5 p.m.

Arts, crafts and games for children will continue all day until 7 p.m.

"We have volunteers but we need more," said Helwege. "We need help especially with the crafts events."

Anyone interested in helping with the events may call Helwege at 335-8380.