RIVERFEST

Beer can from the Sept. 18-20, 1981 Riverfest celebration.

Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

RIVERFEST. Riverfest began in 1980 when a group of about a dozen people began exploring the interest in a fall festival for the city. Compared to other festivals in the fall, most events were free to the public. Goals were to draw Dubuque and show them the other opportunities the city had to offer. For those who lived in the city, Riverfest was meant to provide a weekend of free family entertainment. Promoters looking back believed 10,000 people attended the first festival. By 1988, attendance estimates stood at 60,000. In 1990 it was known that the audience remained a mix of local residents and tourists, but no surveys of people who attended the event had been done. In 1989 planning for the festival was done by an eight-member volunteer committee. (1)

By 1991, Riverfest was coming off a decade of increasing attendance with an estimated 70,000 visitors attending the festival in 1990. Donna Ginter vice-president of the Riverfest Board of Directors, believed that fall foliage, entertainment and activities continued to be the reasons for the event's success. Continuing the practice of adding new events, the 1991 festival included a wrist-wrestling contest, a fashion show carried out by students of Capri College of Fashion Merchandising at the TOWN CLOCK, longer hours based on demand for the art show at Washington Park, and a Jazzercisers Aerobathon in the parking lot of FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE. Musical groups performed throughout the city. In 1991 the Riverfest was held at the same time as the DRAGON BOAT RACES which were being recorded by Disney Productions for a later showing. (2)

The Riverfest of 2008 faced a serious challenge. Scheduling placed part of the popular event opposite the equally important Iowa-Iowa State football game. Tragedy was averted when a large screen television, courtesy of Best Buy, U.S. Cellular, and Pinnacle was provided in the parking lot of U. S. Bank. A variety of music was provided as usual with the addition of a fish pond, face painting, games and exhibitions of karate and dance demonstrations. Along with food vendors, the Riverfest committee served a barbecue children dinner in the parking lot of U. S. Bank. After expenses were paid, the proceeds from the nonprofit event were given to Donna Ginter to help pay for her annual Thanksgiving dinner. (3)

The idea of Riverfest helping Ginter with the rising costs of her Thanksgiving dinner of a home-cooked meal for those in need was continued in succeeding years. (4)

Source:

1. Glindinning, Mary, "Riverfest to Celebrate 10th Year in 1990," Telegraph Herald, September 7, 1989, p. 21

2. Glindinning, Mary, "Music Highlights Annual Festival," Telegraph Herald, September 9, 1991, p. 10

3. Voight, Sandye, "The Last Blast," Telegraph Herald, September 5, 2008, p. 24

4. Telegraph Herald editorial, June 28, 2010, p. 4