Riverfest 2011 kicks off when gates open at 6 tonight and Saturday night, with music starting at 7 on both the North and South stages. Tickets are $15 per night or $25 for a weekend pass in advance, or $20 per night and $35 for a weekend pass at the gate. Tickets are available at the Vicksburg Main Street office on Cherry Street, Paper Plus on Washington, Toot’s Grocery at Confederate and Wisconsin avenues, and at Guaranty and Trustmark banks. Visit www.riverfestms.com for more information.

Tonight

North Stage

• 7 p.m. — William Michael Morgan

• 8:30 — Asphalt Cowboy

• 10 — Brantley Gilbert (headliner)

South Stage

• 7 p.m. — Big Joe Shelton

•8:30 — Chelsea Royal ty

• 10 — The Tip Tops

Saturday

North Stage

• 7 p.m. — Sounds Unlimited

• 8:15 — The Chill

• 10 — Dr. Dee and Anthony Walls (headliners)

South Stage

• 7 p.m. — Band Camp

• 8:15 — Next to Nothing

• 10 — Elements of the City, Tony McGhee

Saturday events

• 7:30-10 a.m. — Y’s Men’s Pancake Breakfast; $6; Purks Y off East Clay Street; 601-638-1071.

• 8 a.m.-4 p.m. — Vicksburg-Warren County Riverfest Arts & Crafts Show; South, Walnut and Crawford streets; free

• 8 a.m. — Bluz Cruz Marathon; begins at Madison Parish Port, ends at Vicksburg City Front.

• 8 a.m. — Old Court House Museum Spring Flea Market.

• 8 a.m. — Vicksburg Tennis Classic; Halls Ferry Park.

• 8 a.m. — Vicksburg Farmers’ Market; along Washington, near China Street.

• 9 a.m. — Alcorn Jazz Festival; free; Vicksburg Convention Center.

• 10 a.m. — Free activities along Washington Street and downtown merchants sidewalk sale

• 10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Gospel-Fest on North Stage

• 10 a.m. — Jackson Street choir

• 11 a.m. — Mighty Train of Gospel

• Noon — Tonight Forever

• 1 p.m. — Cedar Grove

• 2 p.m. — Alcorn State University Jazz Festival ensembles (University of Southern Mississippi at 2, Jackson State University at 2:40)

General information

Parking

Patrons may park in what festival organizers are calling “preferred, secure parking,” at the Grand Station (formerly Horizon) Casino garage on Mulberry Street, which offers direct access to Washington Street via the top level. Parking will also be available at the Walnut Towers garage on Walnut Street. Street parking will be available along South and China streets and along part of Walnut.

Restrooms

Restrooms are at Riverstage Plaza. Portable toilets will be near the gates at China and South streets and at the Riverfest Arts & Crafts Show, at South, Walnut and Crawford streets, Saturday.

Vendors

Food and drink vendors will be available along Washington Street throughout the weekend and at the Riverfest Arts & Crafts show Saturday.

Beer

Tickets will be sold at booths near the entry gates. People 21 and older must wear arm bands. Beer will be sold from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Gates

Entrances will be at Washington and Grove streets, at Washington and South and from the top level of the Grand Station (formerly Horizon) Casino parking garage on Mulberry Street.

Stages

The North Stage will be at China and Washington streets, and the South Stage will be at South and Washington.

T-shirts

Shirts are $10, $15, and $17.50 and will be sold at the Vicksburg Main Street office and Guaranty Bank, both on Cherry Street, Paper Plus on Washington, Toot’s at Confederate and Wisconsin avenues, and at Zsa’s Zsa’s on South Frontage Road. Shirts are also available at www.riverfestms.com. A $5-per-shirt shipping fee will be added.