Shade was in high demand Saturday as thousands strolled downtown’s streets for the 23rd annual Riverfest street party.

“It is hopping,” Riverfest board president Erin Hern said. “It’s been busy since early this morning,” she said Saturday afternoon as free activities, including the 42nd annual Vicksburg-Warren County Riverfest Arts & Crafts Show, drew thousands to Washington, South, Crawford and Walnut streets in temperatures that hovered in the mid-80s.

By late Saturday night when temperatures were hanging in the low 70s, she said nearly 2,000 people had purchased tickets for the nighttime entertainment that included shows by headliner J. Blackfoot, the Mayhem String Band of Oxford, Reid Stone and the Guilt Ridden Troubadour, Rocket 88 and Blue Mountain.

She said abut 2,200 tickets were sold for Friday’s shows that included country singer Jason Michael Carroll, Vicksburg’s old favorite The Chill, King Edward, Jimbo Mathus and The Tiptops.

“At this point last year, we were just waiting on the rain to come because it was inevitable that it was coming,” she said. “We had anticipated it being this big last year, but the rain changed all that. Our headliner never set foot on the stage.”

“Of the five years I’ve been around, this year we budgeted well and effectively, and this is one of the best we’ve had,” Hern said.

“Of course, this year is our first with only one stage,” she said. “But it’s really been smooth, everything’s been great.”

Joy Caruthers strolled through the arts and crafts show with friend Rose Mary Bagby, both of Vicksburg.

Caruthers said it was the best she’s seen in years. “There’s a lot of diversity,” she said.

Bagby had just bought a University of Southern Mississippi dress for her great niece when she said the vendors and visitors are great for the city’s economy.

“I just love seeing the people come out and mingle together,” said Bagby.

Three-year-old Hayden Block, at the show with parents Jaime and Heather Block, was in the festive spirit. After all, he got to get a red-and-black dragon “tattooed” on his leg. He was showing off his body as soon as he left the airbrush tent.

“It’s a lot cheaper than a real one,” said Hayden’s father. “I’ve got two.”

Across the way, festival-goers saw vegetables peeled, perused selections of handcrafted birdhouses, jewelry and metal works and ate — everything from funnel cake and beignets to chicken on a stick and hamburgers.

Gospel sounds wafted from the stage on South and Washington streets as others crowded moon bounces, watched chainsaw wood carving by Bill Flemming and the daring took a ride and got a thrill on the Space Ball.

Eight-year-old Dalton Clack, son of Krystal Haynes and Johnnie Clack of Vicksburg, said he had a great time spinning around on the space ride.

“It’s fun,” he said.

Lauren Alston, who said she goes to Riverfest every year, sat on the street curb and enjoyed a sugar-covered funnel cake with friends. “We headed straight to the food,” said Alston.

Next, she said, they’d check out the arts and crafts.

Other events of the day were the Y’s Men’s Pancake Breakfast at the Purks YMCA; the Bluz Cruz canoe and kayak race across the Mississippi River; Center for Pregnancy Choices Walk for Life; Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Walk MS; Vicksburg Red Carpet Classic Auto Show; and Alcorn State Jazz Fest at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Contact Tish Butts at tbutts@vicksburgpost.com