March 28, 2024
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Local News

RiverFest gets underway in St. Charles

RiverFest gets underway in St. Charles

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ST CHARLES – A David-and-Goliath-like battle took place at one of the two ice cream-eating contests at this year's RiverFest.

Hosted by Colonial Cafe, the rules were the kids must eat as many ice cream cups as they could within a minute using a spoon.

This contest was held during the City of St. Charles RiverFest, which began Friday in downtown St. Charles. The festival continues through Sunday.

In the second contest, Clay Chocke, a 13-year-old boy, was neck and neck with Brodui Murray, who was much smaller in size. Murray, 9, finished his first cup of ice cream before Chocke. One minute later, Chocke and Murray had both devoured two cups of ice cream and were on their way to three.

Out of 10 total participants, Murray was declared the winner of the contest, with Chocke coming in a close second. Murray said going into this contest, his strategy was to “get a big spoonful and chug it down.”

This was the first time Murray had participated in this contest, and he said he may return next year to compete again. Chocke said in previous years, he had won this very contest.

“I really needed the win,” Chocke said, but was defeated by Murray, whom he described as a “monster” at eating ice cream.

Along with ice cream-eating contests, attendants of this year’s RiverFest can attend a demonstration of Scottish and Highland games hosted by Jack Axe Inc. The demonstrators of these games are Eric Klein, president of Jack Axe, and Eric Winkler, chief ax.

While all of the demonstrations were prepared for the outdoor event, the rain Friday caused both of the day’s scheduled demonstrations to be canceled.

For the upcoming demonstrations at RiverFest, Winkler said the plan is to show demonstrations of games, such as the ax throw or the caber toss, and then run through them all at once as a course.

Winkler said the caber toss is one of his favorite games because it is “a feat of strength.”

Normally, the caber being used would be just under 20 feet and weigh 180 pounds, and the participant would have to flip it end over end, but Winkler said for the Jack Axe Games cabers of many sizes will be provided so everyone of all ages can participate.

The ax throw is Klein’s favorite game because it is a skill without any other practical application. Klein and Winkler said they take the time to throw axes to be prepared for the ax throw demonstration. As for the other demonstrations, Klein said they were prepared because “we are in good physical condition.”

These demonstrations are a preview of the first Jack Axe Games and Festival on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30.

Julie Farris, executive director of Pride of the Fox Inc., said other new attractions at this year’s RiverFest include the Jesse White Tumblers and the Rescue Remembrance Project.

The Jesse White Tumblers will perform at the Plaza Green venue at 1 p.m. today, while the Rescue Remembrance Project will be at the same location today and Sunday.

The Rescue Remembrance Project is made up of firefighters from across the country, is not-for-profit and will have an interactive booth, where people can learn about the firefighters affected by 9/11. Additionally, a fire truck from 9/11 will be brought to RiverFest.

Another new event coming to this year’s RiverFest is the Anderson Animal Shelter Jewelry Faire.

After losing its location in Geneva’s Festival of the Vine last year, Holly Alcala, director of development at Anderson Animal Shelter, approached Farris about being a part of RiverFest, and a new activity was added.

Farris said, “We will be featuring over 4,000 pieces of jewelry,” and all of the net proceeds will go to Anderson Animal Shelter. The Jewelry Faire is in the St. Charles Municipal Center back lot at 2 E. Main St.

All weekend long, there will be several bands performing at the BMO Harris Bank main stage on South Riverside Avenue, along with a live taping of a radio show at noon Sunday.

In addition, two more entertainment zones have been added to RiverFest. The Lincoln Park entertainment zone was shifted to City Hall in the back lot of the municipal center, where there will be a small entertainment stage with everything from a chicken sandwich eating competition to local dance performances and live theater, Farris said.

An “open entertainment street” will be on First Street, meaning a section of the street will be left completely open, and events, such as the Jack Axe Games demonstration and Festival of the Horse and Drum, will take place there.

Farris said the must-see event at RiverFest is the Dragon Boat Races because there are few places in Illinois where these races occur.

“We have one of the coolest activities at any festival I’ve ever been to,” Farris said. “Festivals are incredibly fun and have great ideas, but I have not seen one that can top our dragon boats.”

Farris said her favorite event at RiverFest was the second annual Special Family Night at St. Charles RiverFest, which was Wednesday, because, “It starts off the festival on the right note.” She wanted to make sure the event was all about special-needs families and providing them with a fun, safe environment. The event was in Lincoln Park.

While she has no concerns about the events at RiverFest, Farris said, “Keeping everyone safe at our events is always at the foremost of my mind.”

For information, visit www.prideofthefox.net.

If You go

RiverFest is from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. For information, visit www.prideofthefox.net.

On the Web

Visit KCChronicle.com to view a photo list from RiverFest.