By TEREASA NIMS
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW — After a five-year hiatus, Summerfest returns with a blast Friday and Saturday following residents’ clamor.
Recreation Director Todd Dickman said residents asked for Summerfest’s return.
Fireworks, a concert, petting zoo, classic cars, inflatable bounce houses and carnival rides are just a few of the attractions, said Recreation Director said.
The event begins Friday with food, craft and community vendors from 6 to 9 p.m., a classic car show from 6 to 10 p.m., ’80s tribute band The Square Pegz from 7 to 10 p.m. and fireworks at dusk.
Saturday begins with a Kiwanis pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon, Riverview police will have police dog Reno and a dive tank from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. The petting zoo is open from noon to 9 p.m., and the food, craft and community vendors return from noon to 9 p.m.
The Fire Department will hold an open house from 1 to 8 p.m. in addition to a car burn at 5 p.m.
Sons of the American Legion Post 389 will hold a flag retirement at 6 p.m.
Clowns, bike rodeos, face painting are
also on the agenda.
So far, 25 sponsors have stepped forward to help pay for the activities, donating $50 to $5,000.
Dickman said the city cancelled the 2009 Summerfest because the city’s budget issues forced staff layoffs. He said the city thought it ill to hold Summerfest when people were losing their jobs. The city kept it cancelled for the next four years after that.
Residents recently started asking for its return and sponsors stepped up to help foot the bill.
To learn more about the event schedule, go to www.cityofriverview.com/departments/summerfest.php.
(Tereasa Nims can be reached at [email protected].)