The Vicksburg-Warren County Riverfest Arts & Crafts Show will celebrate 40 years at the 2008 Riverfest, and will take place in front of Vicksburg City Hall on Walnut Street for the second straight year.

Traditionally held on Washington Street, the show was shifted to Walnut Street last year due to construction, and organizer Richard O’Bannon said vendors and visitors enjoyed the new location so much it was chosen again this year.

“It’s a little bit more accessible to Riverfest activities downtown, and it’s very accessible for elderly and handicapped visitors,” he said. “It’s not as hilly as the area we used to be located at on Washington, and it’s less congested — which makes it easier for people to enjoy a day at the arts and crafts fair.”

Roughly 100 vendors from across the South are expected to set up shop for the day-long event, which begins at 8 a.m. and runs until 4:30 p.m — also the cutoff time for free Riverfest events. Organizers and vendors pride themselves on providing handmade, non-commercial arts and crafts at the show.

“You get more unique items that way, instead of retail items you can get almost anywhere,” said O’Bannon. “We have vendors who have everything from handmade jewelry and clothing to original paintings and woodwork items — just a wide variety of arts and crafts.”

Vendors annually make the trek to Vicksburg from all parts of Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee to peddle their wares, said O’Bannon, in addition to the many local vendors featured at the event.

“If it’s anything like last year, it will be absolutely great,” said O’Bannon.

An off-site event associated with Riverfest will not take place at the usual time this year.

The Bluz Cruz Marathon, a 22-mile charity race along the Mississippi River, is being postponed until May 17 due to high river stages. The race begins at Madison Parish Port on the Louisiana side of the river and ends at City Front in Vicksburg.

If you goThe 40th Annual Vicksburg-Warren County Riverfest Arts & Crafts Show will be from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturday on Walnut Street, between Crawford and South streets. Admission and parking are free. The show coincides with daytime Riverfest activities, which begin at 10 a.m. on Washington Street. Along with about 100 arts and craft vendors from the South, the show will feature food vendors, street performers and live entertainment. For more information, visit www.riverfestms.com.

Click Here to Download the Vicksburg Post Guide to Riverfest 2008