We are fortunate here in many ways. One of our most valuable assets is a bustling downtown area.

We’ve seen the downtowns in similarly sized communities — the sad, empty buildings with nothing to draw residents to the area.

We can be thankful that because of the coordinated hard work of many private business people and the driving force of our city government, our downtown area is thriving.

This weekend, you have an opportunity to celebrate and support our downtown area and its merchants through the 30th annual Riverfest.

The event begins on Friday and continues Saturday and features multiple bands providing entertainment, an arts and crafts show, a preview of this year’s farmers’ market, a downtown merchants sidewalk sale and family-friendly activities.

All daytime activities are free to attend. However, tickets for Friday and Saturday nights’ concerts are $10 each night.

The schedule of events includes:

FRIDAY

5:30 p.m. Street Sweep (must purchase a RiverFest ticket to be between South Street and Clay Street)

6 p.m. Gates Open (gates are located at Clay Street intersection, parking garage entrance by The Big Muddy, and Crawford & Walnut intersection)

6 – 11 p.m. Food Vendors and Mechanical Bull along Washington Street

6:05 p.m. Mayor Welcome and National Anthem by Lee H. Abraham

6:15 p.m. The Chill

7:15 p.m. Projekt Band

8:15 p.m. Nikita

9:45 p.m. Willie Clayton

SATURDAY

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. RiverFest Arts & Crafts Show around City Hall (South Street and Walnut Street)

10 a.m. – noon GospelFest on RiverFest Stage (South Street Intersection at Washington Street)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Vicksburg Farmers Market Spring Preview (Grove Street to Jackson Street)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Downtown Merchants Sidewalk Sale along Washington Street (Veto Street to Jackson Street)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Outdoor Market on Washington Street (Grove Street to Jackson Street)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Vicksburg Main Street Performers along Washington Street (Veto Street to Jackson Street)

Noon – 1 p.m. Osgood & Blaque on the RiverFest Stage sponsored by The Big Muddy (South Street Intersection at Washington Street)

12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet and Greet with Frank the Camel (1100 Block)

Noon – 1 p.m. Element of Art on the RiverFest Stage sponsored by The Big Muddy (South Street Intersection at Washington Street)

5:30 p.m. Street Sweep (must purchase a RiverFest ticket to be between South Street and Clay Street)

6 p.m. Gates Open (gates are located at Clay Street intersection, parking garage entrance by The Big Muddy, and Crawford & Walnut intersection)

6 – 11 p.m. Food Vendors and Mechanical Bull along Washington Street

6:15 p.m. Bill Perry Trio sponsored by The Big Muddy

7:15 p.m. Slap Happy

8:15 p.m. Rewind

9:45 p.m. Frank Foster

11:30 p.m. RiverFest ends