RIVERFEST ROLLS TO SUCCESS DESPITE SLOW START; ANNUAL FESTIVAL DRAWS FAMILIES FOR SHOWS, FIREWORKS

Riverfest '92 offered a mix of music and fun for crowds Friday and Saturday at Cape Girardeau's 14th annual downtown celebration.

"We think everyone who has been here has had a good time," said Riverfest '92 general chairman Evelyn LeGrand said. "The weather has been wonderful."

Although attendance started out slow Friday and early Saturday, crowds really poured into downtown late Saturday.

"The crowds looked very good this evening," said Greg Talbut, president of the Riverfest Association, a not-for-profit organization formed to put on the festival dedicated to Cape Girardeau's river heritage.

"There's a good crowd on the hill, and the riverfront and streets are packed," said Talbut late Saturday. "The Beatles show was very well received. This evening looked like a typical Saturday night at Riverfest with lots of families and kids."

He added, "Overall attendance may be down some, but overall fun was still here."

Riverfest officials declined to release crowd estimates for the two-day event. Last year, about 60,000 people attended.

LeGrand and Talbut blamed the slow start on rumors of a Ku Klux Klan rally that might occur Saturday; it did not. News media and police were the only ones on hand. LeGrand estimated that attendance was down as much as 25 to 40 percent Friday night.

"It is our firm belief that Riverfest attendance was a victim of the rumors of white supremist activities that never took place," she said.

But attendance rebounded late Saturday afternoon. By the time the fireworks display began, the downtown area brimming with people. LeGrand said it was one of the best fireworks display every held at Riverfest.

Despite the rumors, organizers said Riverfest '92 was a success.

"We put together a fantastic community event for the benefit of everyone," she said. "It's a shame not everyone felt comfortable enough to come down and enjoy what we put together for Riverfest '92."

"We have such a fantastic group of volunteers," LeGrand said. "We have a lot of new people and new ideas this year. We have had a high level of enthusiasm."

Response to the "Spirit of Riverfest" riverboat, back for the second year, has been great, organizers said. The children's cruise Saturday morning sold out early.

Four excursions will be held today and tickets are available for all the cruises. The first cruise leaves at noon. Tickets will be sold today at the riverfront.

Volunteers began tearing down and cleaning up Saturday night as the crowds began leaving. Clean up work will continue today.

"The shuttle service has been real popular. People did what we suggested and used the shuttles," LeGrand said.

Extra shuttles were on duty Saturday night at the end of the festivities to help people get home quicker.

LeGrand said, "The children's activities were real popular. We like to be known as a family event, so we put more emphasis on children and it has gone over real well.

"We have seen a lot of families out this year. And that's what we want. Riverfest is not a street party, it's a family event. We like to think we have something for everybody. The veteran's home brought a group down to ride the boat and we had a lot of children in the parade."

LeGrand said community response and support of the festival has been strong.

Corporate sponsors for Riverfest '92 are Southwestern Bell Telephone, St. Francis Medical Center, Fox 23 KBSI-TV and Shop 'N Save.

"Other people and businesses have contributed in ways to numerous to mention," LeGrand said. "It's that kind of support that makes planning this event rewarding to us."