TURTLES, STUNT BIKES ENTERTAIN RIVERFEST

Spunky and Rudolph came to race.

The two shelled box turtle competitors raced through three heats on a hot, muggy Saturday afternoon during Riverfest in downtown Cape Girardeau.

When the turtle-racing ring cleared, Spunky had crossed the finish line a step or two in front of Rudolph to walk away with the big prize.

The win was the first for Spunky, but the third for his owner, 10-year-old Andrew Kenner, son of John and Kay Kenner of Jackson.

"I've entered the races three times and won three times," said young Kenner, winner of a $50 savings bond.

Tina Suhre wasn't too disappointed with Rudolph's performance.

"I've been to the Riverfest turtle races three times and this is the first time my turtle has won a heat," said the 8-year-old daughter of Ken and Sandy Surhe of Jackson.

Rudolph was also an entry in the Best Dressed Turtle contest. The turtle was dressed as a reindeer, and was pulling a sled with Santa Claus.

Picking up the blue ribbon and the $50 savings bond for Best Dressed Turtle, however, went to 9-year-old Ali Turner, daughter of Dennis and Patty Turner of Cape Girardeau, for her entry which was dressed as a pilot in an Uncle Sam hot-air balloon.

The turtle races were the place to be at Saturday afternoon with the racing ring surrounded by entrants and their boosters, totaling more than 100 fans.

The overall Riverfest crowd was light during the hot, muggy summer afternoon.

But before the festival was over, Riverfest officials estimated that more than 40,000 people crowded into the downtown streets on Friday and Saturday to participate in the festivities and enjoy free entertainment.

Justin Sander of Cape Girardeau, entered two racing turtles, but had to let his younger friends race them.

"I'm 13," said Sander. The cutoff for entrants was age 12. One of his entries, Bullet, raced by John Thies, won a first heat, but was edged out in round number two.

"That's okay," said Sander. "I still like Bullet. I'll take him home and give him some cantaloupe. He likes that."

Events for youngsters were well attended both days of Riverfest.

Elsewhere in the Riverfest area were a Civil War Encampment and working crafts area in Courthouse Park, bicycle stunt demonstrations and strolling entertainment throughout the day.

Events were capped by a giant fireworks display and main-stage entertainment by Lonestar, a country band which hit the top with a number one single, "No News," and top-five hit, "Tequila Talking."

Lonestar performed before a large crowd, jammed along the Common Pleas Courthouse lawn and the two block of North Spanish Street.

One of the popular events Saturday was the bicycle stunt team demonstrations on Main Street.

The four-person Ride-N-Grind stunt team, performed flips, stunts and tricks during three Saturday performances.