Riverfest 2009, scheduled for April 17 and 18, will be condensed to one stage due to the lagging economy and limited sponsorship.

Earlier, the spring festival’s organizers had considered taking the year off, but Riverfest President Terisa Cochran said the show will definitely go on. “Vicksburg looks forward to this event too much each year to not have it,” she said. 

While the entertainment schedule has not been set, Cochran said the Riverfest board is discussing whether to book a national act again this year. For this year, Rick Springfield was paid $40,000 to perform as headliner of the festival, which featured two stages with three entertainers on each. 

“The more sponsors we get, the bigger entertainers we get,” said Cochran, noting three entertainers will be booked for the stage at China and Washington streets. “We want it to be successful, and the board is going to do what’s best for the community with the economy in mind.” 

In total, Riverfest 2008 cost about $250,000 to produce, Alesia Shaw said in September. Shaw stepped down as president of the upcoming festival in mid-October, but remains on the board. Cochran said she did not have an estimate of how much money has been raised from sponsors this year.

Riverfest 2009 will retain the alcohol- and tobacco-free “Kids Zone,” said Cochran, which was re-introduced last year with great success. The area for children, which includes inflatables and games, replaced a third stage of entertainment.

Riverfest is a nonprofit organization — operated by a volunteer, 12-member board — organized after the spring festival was begun 21 years ago. Donations can be made by clicking here.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicskburgpost.com.