Pride of the Fox’s 30th RiverFest this weekend
From Submitted Reports June 6, 2012 4:16PM
The Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team performs at the Pride of the Fox Riverfest in 2011. File photo | Sun-Times Media
BMO Harris Bank Main Stage RiverFest Lineup
Friday
6-7 p.m. Printer’s Row (winner of the battle of the bands RF2011)
7:15-8 p.m. Soda
8:30-10:30 p.m. Infinity
Saturday
12-5:30 p.m. Battle of the Bands (open to all students)
6-7:30 p.m. The Homewreckers
8-10:30 p.m. Libido Funk Circus
Sunday
12-3:30 p.m. The Voice of St. Charles — finals (singing talent show)
4-5:30 p.m. Billy Croft & the 5 Alarm
6-9 p.m. Dirty Dan’s Cool Rockin’ Daddies
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Updated: July 8, 2012 6:35PM
ST. CHARLES — New events and activities have been added to celebrate the 30th annual RiverFest, scheduled to run Friday through Sunday in the city.
Pride of the Fox’s Executive Director Julie Farris and Board Chairman Jon Olson are again heading up the festival with a team of volunteers to produce RiverFest. The event began 30 years ago as a community festival with one venue and one vendors, and now stretches across nine venues and more than 200 vendors, according to a press release from organizers.
This year’s event retains many of the popular components of the festival while adding some new wrinkles such as Dock Dogs, a live action sport that was showcased in the recent Rose Bowl Parade; “Firin’ Up The Fox,” a Kansas City Barbeque Cook-off Champion competition with an amateur and kids contest and featuring a People’s Choice Tasting on Saturday; a lineup of top-flight bands at the BMO Harris Bank Main Music Stage; and “The Voice of St. Charles,” an all-age vocal competition.
The river-focused events return to Pottawatomie Park this year, with the sanctioned Dragon Boat Races on Saturday and Sunday. Professional and local amateur teams compete for the gold in giant Chinese Dragon Boats holding 18 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman.
Between racing sessions, river fans will be treated to professional water ski shows presented by the Wonder Lake Ski Team or can purchase a ticket on the St. Charles Belle, one of the two paddle boats at Pottawatomie Park.
Family entertainment, contests and other performances will be held at Lincoln Park on the west side of downtown. Vaudeville performer Dan “Doc” Barth will host his show from the top of an authentic stage coach, and live music will fill the park from 5 to 7 p.m. with “The Originals,” a music segment showcasing local musicians playing all original music.
Premiering on Friday at Lincoln Park is “Movie under the Stars” presented by XFINITY. People can bring blankets, chairs and flashlights for a showing of “How to Train Your Dragon” (rated PG) starting at dusk.
The BMO Harris Bank Main Stage will feature a new lineup of regional and local musical acts including classic rock and testimonial groups, indie acts and a Battle of the High School Bands. Evening performances include Infinity, Soda, Libido Funk Circus, Billy Croft & the 5 Alarm, and Dirty Dan’s Cool Rockin’ Daddies.
The 40-ton Fantasy Sand Sculpture presented by XFINITY will return to the municipal center parking lot where a hub of family activities also will be held. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch the artists in action and ask questions.
More than 200 commercial, food and craft vendors will be present at this year’s festival. The crafts fair will be held along the RiverWalk and in the municipal center rear parking lot while food and commercial goods vendors will be distributed throughout downtown St. Charles.
A RiverFest carnival will be held north of Main Street in the parking lot next to Route 31. This year’s carnival will focus on family rides and games. The festival will offer special ticket prices on its website, www.prideofthefox.com.
“There will hardly be a spot in downtown where something is not taking place,” Farris said.
