A record-setting quarter of a million people spent part of Memorial Day weekend attending Riverfest in downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock.
Figures released after the event showed 253,000 were in attendance at this year’s festival held Friday through Sunday, up from 245,000 in 2007. That translates into $1,194,000 in revenue, up from $1,001,000 in 2007.
A Riverfest spokesperson said the actual profit generated won’t be known for a couple of weeks, as expenses are still being calculated.
Once profit is determined, a decision will be made on how the money will be spent. In the past, proceeds from Riverfest have gone to improvements along the riverfront, including Riverfront Amphitheater.
This year’s headline acts included ZZ Top, Huey Lewis & the News, Chaka Khan, Robert Earl Keen, .38 Special, Arrested Development, Better Than Ezra, Paul Thorn and Saving Abel, to name a few. Country singer Merle Haggard canceled his Friday night performance due to illness, and country group Sawyer Brown filled the spot.
Two new events this year included the Super Retriever Series Crown Championship and a new, Arkansas-only music tent.
Officials attributed the record attendance to popular musical acts, high gasoline prices and good weather.
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