Columbus will

be a busy place this weekend as the 33rd annual Riverfest weekend takes

over, featuring concerts, the Salisbury fair, the Folklife Village, the

Pig Jig, a carnival, a 5K and 10K fun run, a fine arts and crafts show

and much more.

The festival

began 33 years ago as a small street fair held in conjunction with the

Chamber of Commerce's "Spring Festival Days." The event has

moved four times since then in an effort to expose the redevelopment of

the Riverfront area. This year's event will take place on the grounds

of the South Commons Complex and along the Chattahoochee Riverwalk.

One of the

weekend's biggest attractions is the music. From Friday afternoon until

the end of the festival Sunday evening the music is nonstop on four stages.

Some of the bands are nationally acclaimed artists, like Montgomery Gentry

and The Gap Band, while others are local favorites playing everything

from country and bluegrass to rock, jazz or gospel. The Gap Band will

perform Friday night and Montgomery Gentry will take the stage Saturday

night.

Another big

attraction is the Pig Jig Barbecue and Cornbread Cookoffs. The Pig Jig

is a sanctioned event for serious barbecue cooking teams, while the Cornbread

Cookoff has more of an amateur feel and will be prepared on site by local

celebrities, businesses and individuals. There will also be food vendors

from all over the nation offering a wide assortment of treats throughout

the weekend.

The Folklife

Village will display numerous forms of art including a folk art show that

will showcase the work of many of the south's best folk artists and artisans

and craftsmen. There will also be a youth art show displaying the work

of local children.

Add to this

the fifth annual Contact Road Race, a full fledged midway carnival, Jack

Russell Terrier races, pig races, fireworks and the Hot Air Balloon Festival

and you have a full weekend.

The road races

begin with a one mile fun run/walk at 8 a.m. Saturday and followed by

the 5K and 10K run beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Columbus Convention and

Trade Center. Registration is $10 and $15 respectively and proceeds benefit

the Contact helpline, a 24-hour crisis intervention information and referral

line.

How much does

all this fun and excitement cost? A three-day pass costs $20 and can be

purchased at the Historic Columbus Foundation or the Columbus Convention

and Visitors Bureau. Single-day tickets are $10 for adults while children

under the age of 12 are admitted for free.

There are designated

parking sites and free shuttle buses that will take visitors to the festival.

Phone 706-323-7979 or 706-324-3417 for more information.

Back

to the Top of the Page