LETTERS: RIVERFEST COMMITTEE SENDS S.O.S.

To the editor:

The Riverfest Committee 199 met this week and discussed the future of the upcoming annual historic riverfront district not-for-profit event.

Various board members said that the 21st annual Cape Girardeau Riverfest desperately needed corporate or individual sponsorships and volunteer in order for the last Riverfest of this millenium to be a large as past events.

The last two year's unfortunate Friday night downpours and down-spiralling revenues have placed the family event financially in the red. Formerly filled with rock-n-roll, blues, folk, jazz and Christian musical entertainment and family activities such as the turtle race, the Riverfest committee members are leaving no cobblestone unturned in efforts to raise money for this year's Riverfest to equal or better prior years, but without community support this may not happen.

Though the presence of the carnival, crafts and concessions generates some revenue, board members indicate without the extra support of sponsors and community volunteers the coffer of previous years cannot sustain this year's projected budget.

This is a real S.O.S. Everyone on the voluntary board wants to see Riverfest go on as scheduled.

Without heightened support of more sponsors and volunteers, this year's Riverfest could be less than expected. We're concerned too many cutbacks would jeopardize the integrity of Riverfest and may force a decision to cancel.

Certain events such as the Kohlfeld Riverfest Run will take place as scheduled, but as sponsorships and numbers of volunteers have fallen behind from what is needed, other planned activities and events may take a "slim-fast" diet.

The deadline for sponsorship and volunteer aid is Sunday at 5 p.m. At that time, the Riverfest Committee will review current monies and assets. Operating on less than half the budget compared to last year, the Riverfest Committee is seeking help from all interested sponsors and volunteers.

For more information, contact the Riverfest office at (573) 335-1388.

Bill Dunn

Cape Girardeau