RIVERFEST WILL OFFER VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES

Whoever said you can't get something for nothing had never been to the Cape Girardeau Riverfest.

The 18th annual Riverfest, which will be held next weekend, is full of free activities in downtown Cape Girardeau.

"We are offering people in Cape the opportunity to come downtown for the weekend and enjoy some interesting things," said Tom Ross of the Riverfest board.

Because the entertainment is free, Ross hopes to see a big crowd Friday and Saturday.

Riverfest drew a large crowd last year, and a similar turnout is expected this year, he said.

Some of the Riverfest activities include a Bud Light Air Show on both nights, a Civil War encampment site and re-enactments, the Riverfest Run and Riverfest Ramble bike ride.

The Civil War encampment will show the daily life of soldiers and about 100 re-enactors are expected to participate this year.

If the river drops to about 30 feet, there is a strong possibility that the Broadway floodgate could be open during Riverfest, Ross said.

"We'd love for the floodgates to be open just for the fact that it's Riverfest and people can see river," he said. "But we've seen this coming and backed off the riverfront activity."

Ross said he is comfortable with the way things are going this close to the event. There have been no major problems so far.

Carnival rides, a bike stunt show and other activities are planned for younger children.

Gene Pulley is also hoping for a large turnout for this year's Riverfest Ramble. Pulley is a member of the Cape Velo Bicycle Club, a co-sponsor of the event.

"Family Fun without the Sun" is the theme for the third annual bike ride through the city. Celebrity riders include television reporters Susanna Baylon and Steve Sotak.

The Riverfest Association and the Cape Velo Bicycle Club have coordinated the midnight ride. The ramble will begin at 12:30 a.m. Friday at the Show-Me-Center. Check-in will be at 11 p.m.

Two routes will be offered for bicyclists: a 19-mile route is designed for cycle enthusiasts and a six-mile route will be offered for less experienced riders.

The ride will not be affected by the downtown flooding, Pulley said. The route travels west from Sprigg to William, along Mount Auburn and Kingshighway back to Sprigg.

As safety precautions, several vehicles with safety lights will follow the riders and one bike team will ride up and down the route, Pulley said. Cape Girardeau fire and police officials and the bike patrol also will be stationed along the route.

"More people do the long ride than short ride," Pulley said. This year there is a two-hour time limit for the ride. If cyclists have not reached Broadway by 2 a.m., they will be asked to return to the Show-me-Center.

Most of the cyclists sign up during Riverfest, he said. A registration table will be set up from 5 to 10 p.m. during Riverfest at the corner of Broadway and Main streets.

Last year, 200 people participated in the ramble.

Entry fees for the ramble are $5 a person if completed before 10 p.m. Friday. Late registration fees are $7 a person. Reflective T-shirts also are available for $7 each.

Applications are available at Cape Bicycle or by calling the Riverfest office at 335-1388 or Gene Pulley at 334-5819.

If biking isn't your thing and you would rather drive to the Riverfest, bus shuttles will also be available.

Because downtown parking is limited, the shuttles, which are free, will take passengers from the West Park Mall and the Show-Me-Center to the activities.

The shuttle service begins at 4 p.m. Friday, and the last downtown pickup will be at midnight. On Saturday, the service will start at 9 a.m. and will run continuously until midnight. The shuttles will run at 15-minute intervals.