Riverfest celebration set for July 2 - July 4
Families are invited to celebrate Independence Day on the riverfront of St. Charles this year.
The St. Charles Riverfest Committee will host the city's July 4th holiday celebration July 2 through July 4 in Frontier Park. The 2010 event is sponsored by the city of St. Charles, St. Charles Jaycees, Archway Amusement, Davidson Amusement and Pepsi Beverages Co.
Families who check out the festival can expect plenty of live music, festival food, carnival rides and exciting Olympic-style entertainment.
"Riverfest is a long-standing tradition in St. Charles," said Mayor Patti York. "In terms of our extensive event line up in town, this particular festival brings out the patriotic spirit in all of us."
The festival will kick off at 4 p.m. on July 2 with a carnival wrist band night. A wrist band can be purchased for $15 and will allow for unlimited rides at the carnival until 11 p.m. that evening.
The carnival - which will include rides and games for all ages - will be open from noon to 11 p.m. on July 3 and July 4.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on July 3 at Blanchette Park turning right on Kingshighway. The parade will go left on Clark and then right onto Main Street, concluding at about 10:45 a.m.
There will also be a free craft and play area for the children from noon to 6 p.m. on July 3 and July 4 located north of the Jaycee stage.
"This event gives you a hometown feeling of July 4th celebrations," said Karen Godfrey, with the city. "The cost to spectators would be your cost of food, drink or carnival rides. Otherwise the event is free. We encourage spectators to bring their chairs and blankets and come down to the Missouri River riverfront in Frontier Park to enjoy all of our activities."
The three-day festival will also include a live music lineup on July 3 and July 4 on two stages. Festival-goers can grab a blanket and check out a free concert by the "Patt Holt Singers," "Moon Cats," "One Eyed Parrot," "Jakes Leg," "Hillbilly Authority" or "Folk N Bluegrass."
The St. Charles Singers and St. Charles Municipal Band will also entertain the crowds with a free live concert on July 4.
For the sixth consecutive year, Riverfest will welcome back Pole Vault Explosion on July 4. Top U.S. vaulters will compete all day, with elite vaulters competing later in the evening as part of a US Track and Field Sanctioned Event.
The festival will feature a new patriotic activity this year.
"For the first time, Jim Deken - who serves as a host on the city's Cable Access Channel 990 - will dress in period costume as Samuel Adams for a special reading of the Declaration of Independence," York said. "You can catch his delivery at noon on Saturday, July 3, and 5:30 p.m. on July 4 from the Jaycee Stage. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday."
And don't forget about the fireworks. The fireworks - set to music and simulcast on KCLC 89.1 FM - will explode over the riverfront at 9:20 p.m. on July 3 and July 4. Live music will continue until the close of the evening at 11 p.m.
For more information about Riverfest or for the concert schedule, visit historicstcharles.com.
