While the familiar RiverFest activities were drawing crowds, several new attractions this year gave visitors something different to check out this year.

On Washington Street, the classic automobiles brought by members of the Vicksburg Cruisers club proved to be a popular attraction for children and adults alike.

One of the most popular was John “dough-boy” Woods’ 1940 Chevrolet Pickup “Rat Rod.”

“It’s been nice today,” he said as he helped people climb in and sit at the steering wheel. “We usually go to some of the parades and shows but I like being here in Vicksburg.”

His truck, a style of hot rod that appears unfinished, has been pieced together over the course of many years.

“I’ve done some horse trading with people for the parts,” he said.

When asked when he would be finished, Woods laughed.

“It’s always a work in progress,” he said. “You don’t ever really get through with it.”

Pete Dionne, president of the Vicksburg Cruisers, said the group jumped at the opportunity to display their vehicles locally.

“Once they asked if we’d like to do this, we decided it’d be nice to make an appearance,” he said. “It’s been great. People are stopping to take pictures and talk about the cars.”

Dionne said that, with so many car shows being held out of town, lining Washington Street was a welcome departure from having to drive several hours to a show.

“We always say we’d rather do something locally,” he said. “We like giving back to our community.”

About two blocks north of the classic cruisers, Oak Grove, La., farmer Eddy Kennedy was bagging collard greens and tomatoes for shoppers in the farmer’s market portion of the street.

He said that, besides greens and tomatoes, most of his crops are still growing.

“With most of the stuff, I’m not ready yet,” Kennedy said. “It’s been kind of slow, but the tomatoes are selling.”

The Vicksburg Warren Antique and Classic Tractor Club had several tractors on the northernmost end of the RiverFest grounds as well.