I haven't been to Riverfest for 3 years, however with that said, it is always on a terrible weekend as far as events go. There is always too much going on around the area during that period. The drunks, the lack of parking and the washed up bands don't help. The weather the past two years has been horrible, but you can't blame it all on the rain.

I agree with those here that feel it's an unsafe place and you are always watching your back. I have nothing against teens, but you can look at SOME of these kids and pretty much tell that they are lookin' for trouble. You can see that some of them are not attending to enjoy the music and the event. Pull the plug and soon!

As fun as Riverfest has been in the past years, it also has been shrinking every year. Perhaps it's time to kill the concept until it can be resurrected with the funds it needs to run successfully. I've stopped going because I don't think it's worth $10 to wander around a parking lot and a couple of hundred square feet of stage area while dodging loitering teenagers and drunk people. I think the time has come to let it go.

It's unfortunate that being nearly bankrupt is what caused the turn around, but I believe it is an awesome revelation. Too many festivals focus on being "all entertaining", and forget about the bottom line. The "bottom line" is not only the dollars and cents, but the dollars and "sense". Allowing more local acts to showcase their talents should be what a festival of this size is about. People will be more likely to feel that they are part of the festival. and sense of local pride will grow. that's what this should be about.

That may be a good choice. I think your on the right track. As the economy stands as is, (and whom can forget that terible weather!)
If local acts and a single vendor for *A* events time is what it takes to pay-off the debt and return the following year with national acts and full schedualed as the return to what we expect from organizations to provide? Then so be it. One year of a reduced event won't set us back for a lifetime.
Good Choice as long as debt is paid and the norm is returned to. Furthermore, my hopes for a successful system also includes that, we do not Create an annual* debt-fault reasoning for future profit the norm. People are watching this construct, pay attn.