Workers for Sound Associates, from left, Scott Ellis, Daniel Paryzek and Robert Major prepare to install the lighting truss for Riverfest’s South Stage on Thursday. The stage is at Crawford and Washington streets. (The Vicksburg Post/C. TODD SHERMAN)

[04/20/01] Local bands will kick off three days of Riverfest activities starting Friday night in downtown Vicksburg.

The weekend lineup for the festival in its 16th year also includes headliner King Konga, a band from Hattiesburg. Fifteen bands will play throughout the 2001 Riverfest weekend.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the 80s over the weekend with lows in the 60s. The National Weather Service in Jackson is predicting clear skies.

That is welcome news to Riverfest president Kurt Rushing, “It is well known that Riverfest is great fun, and we almost always get rained on.”

This year’s activities will feature more bands and the return of Sunday entertainment downtown. Organizers said they expect this year’s Riverfest to surpass previous years.

Sunday entertainment, given up a few years ago, formerly was staged at the City Park Pavilion.

One thing missing this year will be country music. Organizers cited a lack of mass appeal last year, so no country acts were scheduled in this year’s musical lineup.

Following King Konga on the South Stage Friday night will be local bands Drive Division, which won the Battle of the Bands contest last year, and Crave 17. South Stage acts are targeted for those 30 and younger with entertainment on the North Stage to appeal to an older crowd. Those acts include the Ben Shaw Band, Vickie Baker and The Chill.

On the North Stage Saturday night will be Meet the Press, a funk R&B band from Jackson, followed by R&B singer O.B. Buchanan and blues and gospel artist Denise LaSalle.

Saturday night’s South Stage lineup includes Super Funk, The Gants and The Return.

On Sunday, three bands will play on the South Stage. Honey Blonde, an Oxford-based band with three members from Vicksburg, will perform, as will Projekt Band from Vicksburg and Dr. Zarr’s Funk Monster.

The 33rd annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show at the Old Court House Museum will begin Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Other activities this weekend will include train rides, pony rides, face paintings and demonstrations throughout Saturday afternoon on the parking lot across from Paper Plus.

Washington Street and adjoining cross streets will be closed during the scheduled activities Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Also on Saturday, streets surronding the Old Court House Museum Cherry, Jackson, Monroe and Grove will be closed for the arts and crafts show.