CLINTON, Iowa -
Riverboat Days is off to a rumbling start on land Friday morning. That's where Beth Varner comes to cheer on the tractor pull.
"I'm going, go, go, go," she said. "I want to see how far they can get."
Competition is kicking up dust for the staycation dollars just in time for the big Fourth of July weekend. A timely event when more people are watching their wallets in the sluggish economy.
There's plenty of food on the menu. Some are shaking things up with lemonade, a fair favorite. Others, like longtime vendors Hick's Caramel Corn, are enjoying sweet success. They don't seem to be feeling the pinch during tough times.
"Everybody has to have some kind of fun," said vendor Tia Colschen. "Bring all the kids and have fun."
"It's the Fourth of July," added Jim Pell, Fulton. "We've got to celebrate a little."
Depite lower than normal attendance Thursday, the main stage doesn't seem to be feeling any pressure. Friday night's concert with Loverboy is a sellout. The celebration runs through Sunday along Clinton's riverfront.
Just after !2:15, the Wittenauer family claimed their spot for the Friday night concert. They placed seats on the grass hours before the show and wondered how the economy will rub off on the festival.
"I think it probably will," said Kathy Wittenauer, Clinton. "Hopefully it won't hurt it too much. I'd hate to see the good acts not come back again next year."
Kids remain head over heels at the carnival. Others celebrate Riverboat Days by jumping around.
Now in its 48th year, this festival is showing true stability.
"You keep trying to do new things," said Leanna Geffers, one of the volunteer hosts. "Make it more exciting each and every year."
Back at the tractor pull, there's plenty of crowd pleasing action.
"It's fun to see how far they go," Varner concluded. "How much power they have."
Something to cheer at Clinton Riverboat Days.
"I'm going, go, go, go," she said. "I want to see how far they can get."
Competition is kicking up dust for the staycation dollars just in time for the big Fourth of July weekend. A timely event when more people are watching their wallets in the sluggish economy.
There's plenty of food on the menu. Some are shaking things up with lemonade, a fair favorite. Others, like longtime vendors Hick's Caramel Corn, are enjoying sweet success. They don't seem to be feeling the pinch during tough times.
"Everybody has to have some kind of fun," said vendor Tia Colschen. "Bring all the kids and have fun."
"It's the Fourth of July," added Jim Pell, Fulton. "We've got to celebrate a little."
Depite lower than normal attendance Thursday, the main stage doesn't seem to be feeling any pressure. Friday night's concert with Loverboy is a sellout. The celebration runs through Sunday along Clinton's riverfront.
Just after !2:15, the Wittenauer family claimed their spot for the Friday night concert. They placed seats on the grass hours before the show and wondered how the economy will rub off on the festival.
"I think it probably will," said Kathy Wittenauer, Clinton. "Hopefully it won't hurt it too much. I'd hate to see the good acts not come back again next year."
Kids remain head over heels at the carnival. Others celebrate Riverboat Days by jumping around.
Now in its 48th year, this festival is showing true stability.
"You keep trying to do new things," said Leanna Geffers, one of the volunteer hosts. "Make it more exciting each and every year."
Back at the tractor pull, there's plenty of crowd pleasing action.
"It's fun to see how far they go," Varner concluded. "How much power they have."
Something to cheer at Clinton Riverboat Days.
