Organizers for Vicksburg’s downtown street party are gearing up for the weekend festival that will hit Washington Street April 18-19 with entertainment, food, arts and crafts and a canoe and kayak marathon. As plans are in motion, city officials voted this week to approve a request from this year’s president, Ginny Tzotzlas, to gain the city’s support through the use of city streets and other resources.

“The board really wants to step it up to a higher level,” said Mayor Laurence Leyens.

Entertainers set to hit the two stages throughout the weekend are ’80s rocker Rick Springfield; country sensations Jason Aldean and Crossin’ Dixon; R&B performers Dr. Dee, Lakeside and Vickie Baker; and local favorites The Chill and Riverwind.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen also approved a request from Wayne Pratt, director of the BluzCruz Marathon, a 22-mile race on the Mississippi River that coincides with downtown activities, to use City Front. They also agreed to hand over $500 to be used for advertisements for the race. Last year, about 60 people from all over participated in the event.

Other activities planned for the weekend are the 40th Annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts Show, which will set up shop around City Hall at Crawford and South streets. Throughout the day, street performers will be on tap, as well as vendors offering everything from food and drinks to games and children’s activities. The weekend will kick off at 6:30 p.m. April 18, when performers will take to the two stages. Tickets, which are on sale on the Web site at www.riverfestms.com, are $20 for each night or $35 for a weekend. Tickets will also be available at the gates, located at Crawford Street, both on the east and west ends.

Festivities will end at midnight and will open again April 19 at 8 a.m. Activities along Washington Street will run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All daytime activities are free. Gates will open again at 6 p.m. each night and will run until midnight.

“This is an opportunity for Vicksburg to capture a moment in the state’s calendar,” Leyens said.

For information, visit www.riverfestms.com.

In other business, the board:

Approved board meeting minutes for Feb. 8, Feb. 19 and Feb. 25.Appointed and swore in Patrolman Michael Wallace for the Vicksburg Police Department. Wallace is the former chief of the Yazoo City Police Department.Proclaimed April 2 as Kick Butts Day.Proclaimed April 2008 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.Rejected a bid for the prisoner transport van and authorized the city clerk to re-advertise for sealed bids for the same. The bid was rejected for being over budget, purchasing director Tim Smith said.Authorized the city clerk to advertise sealed bids for asphalt.Rescinded a motion from the Dec. 10 meeting approving advertisement for the St. Jude’s Singing Benefit and made check payable to St. Jude’s Hospital and re-approved advertising, making check payable to Dave’s Custom Meats and McDonald’s.Adopted a resolution to declare two vacant properties along Oak Street and one vacant property on Starlight Drive as surplus and conveyed them to Roy Choates, a developer from Atlanta.Approved a $6,000 allocation to Keep Vicksburg-Warren Beautiful Inc.Approved a request for an $85 advertisement from Warren Central High School graduate Bennie Peoples for the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Football Game at Mississippi College.Denied a request for sponsorship from WVBG V105.5 for the Miss Mississippi and Miss Outstanding Teen Pageants.Approved a request for advertisement from River City Rescue Mission for its annual golf tournament.Denied request for advertisement by Keturah Haggard for National Miss America Pageant.Approved budget amendments for $2,994 in capital expenses transferred from supplies for the street department and $1,500 in advertising from $1,500 in revenue from Gulf South Pipeline for the fire department.Authorized the mayor to approve a contract amendment with Tyler Technologies Inc.

Adopted a resolution authorizing the preparation and submittal of an application to the Mississippi Development Authority for assistance under the 2008 Economic Development Marketing Grant.Denied a request for sponsorship from Hinds Community College’s Vicksburg DECA Chapter.Authorized the mayor to execute a Certified Local Government Grant for survey and National Register project in Glenwood Circle.Discussed dilapidated buildings and overgrown lot codes and authorized Victor Gray-Lewis, director of buildings and inspections, to proceed to cut, clean and demolish properties.Approved the 2008 Main Street advertising.Authorized the city clerk to publish a final settlement of the labor and material construction of 30 tie lines to feed water wells project to Killen Construction for a second circuit at the city’s water plant.Approved reports from the city sexton, privilege license, the marshal and the monthly tax collection.Approved the claims docket.In an executive session, the board discussed a re-hire in the waste water treatment plant, four pay adjustments in the fire department, two personnel matters in the fire department and three litigation matters.

The board will meet again at 10 a.m. April 7.