Riverfest by the numbers
A report from the Riverfest organization on this year's event:
We had an attendance of 200,000 people over the weekend. We had 85,000 on both Friday and Saturday night (total of 170,000). Our Sunday attendance was 30,000. In comparison, the total attendance from 2008 was 253,000. Typically Sunday is our highest attendance day so you can see that we were on pace to set a record attendance. However, Sunday's weather just didn't cooperate, but even with it being a very rainy day, 30,000 people still attended the festival.
Comments
How about a report on how much money the festival generates for both cities, in comparison to the cost and destruction it entails? I walked on both sides of the river Monday to survey the aftermath and what a mess! Not only are the parks completely torn up, there is trash spanning into both the downtown areas as well as the neighborhoods that surround it. I'm confused as to why Riverfest has been allowed to run amok in downtown, especially with the money and effort that are put into making both sides of the river a nice area to live and play. I think it has really stopped being about the music, or food, and really is more of an excuse for Benton, Bryant, Cabot and Conway to play in the big city.
Posted by: ChefsWife![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 26, 2009 08:40 AM
Like most festivals which are managed by well-meaning but not-so-competent non-professionals, Riverfest has grown too big. We used to LOVE it, and stopped going regularly a few years ago. They let so many 12-16 year-olds in free (for whom the music is NOT the attraction) and all they do is wander around and clog EVERY other area. And ever since Van (Tillsbury?) left, the quality of music for the non-MTV crowd has slipped into oblivion. YES there are always a couple of exceptions, but for our money the lineups of 5-10 years ago were vastly superior to recently, AND the former director (Deanna somebody) was NOT up for any "suggestions" from the great unwashed. This is the sad fate of many music festivals = they start off modestly, build into near-greatness, then slip into mediocrity and then many just disappear OR transmogrify into something else. IT SHOULD "be about the music, stupid!"
Same thing has happened to the Amphitheater - when Butch Stone ran it we got the best (if sometimes dated) music around - at least it was vibrant and "happening." Now, not so much...imo.
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Posted by: Larry![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 26, 2009 08:55 AM
OOPS - she's STlLL the Executive Director...sorry.
Posted by: Larry![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 26, 2009 09:02 AM
I'm sorry, but whoever books the national acts needs to cut the dinosaur/redneck/classic rock.
Please, can't we get more relevant acts next year? Great festivals all around the nation manage to draw thousands with eclectic, modern music.
Check around, please, Riverfest folks. 1987 called, and they want their bands back.
Posted by: SutoTheDeadCat![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 26, 2009 11:29 AM