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Rend Lake Water Festival starts today

 
Staff
Posted on 5/3/2016, 12:58 PM

Today is the day to start "Celebrating our Community," which is the theme of the 45th annual Rend Lake Water Festival.
The festival starts this afternoon and goes through Saturday with entertainment and enjoyment running throughout Benton and West City, and all of it sponsored by the Benton West City Area Chamber of Commerce.
"It’s spring once again, and we are all looking forward to this year’s annual Rend Lake Water Festival," the Chamber posted on its festival web page. "This year is extra special since it is our 45th year!  To celebrate, we are planning lots of new activities to ring in this weeklong celebration of fun, sunshine, and community."
​The theme, "Celebrating our Community" is key to the event. "(It) not only sets the tone for the Rend Lake Water Festival, but many of the Benton-West City Chamber of Commerce’s events in the coming year," the Chamber wrote.
"With that in mind, we reflected on what makes our area so special. With all the joys and tragedies of the past year, our community has stepped up to offer support and encouragement to those who need it most.
"This need is ever-present and so we decided to celebrate the generous spirit that makes this community so special."
One of the highlights of the week is the annual ​parade, which​ steps off at 10:02 a.m. on Saturday and ​runs along West Main Street, onto Benton Public Square, then North Main Street to Joplin Street. As of Friday, the Chamber had about 65 businesses and organizations participating in this year's parade.
The entertainment actually starts today with the opening of the carnival rides provided by Brady's Amusements.
Starting Wednesday and running through Saturday is live music and entertainment at Capitol Park.
The ​Little Mister & Little Miss Rend Lake Water Festival Contest follows at the Wes​t City Community Building​. Contestants received "penny votes" at several locations through Monday, such as Heartland Office Supply, Seasonings Bistro and Four Seasons ACE Hardware.
Musical entertainment continues at The Benton Civic Center Friday and Saturday nights. ​Terry Lee Goffee: The Ultimate Tribute to Johnny Cash headlines Saturday.
A craft and vendor fair punctuates the week on Saturday, along with the parade and the Benton Summer Cruise Series in the Public Square.
For more information throughout the week, please call the Chamber at 618-438-2121 or go to its festival website at bentonwestcitychamber.com and click on "Events."

Rend Lake Water Festival Schedule
May 3–7: Rend Lake Water Festival Carnival by Brady’s Amusements
The northeast corner of the Benton Public Square
6-10 pm Tuesday – Friday         
11-4 and 6-10 pm Saturday
May 4–7: Live Music & Entertainment at Capitol Park
Encore at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Taylor Kearney at 7 pm Thursday
The Bucket List at 7 p.m. Friday
On Point Dance Studio & Sloans Dance Studio at 1:30 p.m. Saturday
May 6: Little Mister & Little Miss Rend Lake Water Festival Contest
7 p.m. at the West City Community Building
May 6: BUILDING 429, Colton Dixon, & All Things New Perform
7 p.m. at the Benton Civic Center
May 7: Craft & Vendor Festival
8:30 am – Dusk ay the Southeast Corner of the Benton Public Square (next to Capitol Park)
May 7: Parade
10:02 a.m. along West Main, Benton Public Square & North Main to Joplin Street
Parade Program – Available May 5
May 7: Benton Summer Cruise Series
1 p.m. registration, 4 p.m. awards at Benton Public Square
May 7: Terry Lee Goffee: The Ultimate Tribute to Johnny Cash  Performs
7 p.m. Benton Civic Center
Parking Information
Public parking lots are available on the west side of the Benton Public Square.  Parking is also available along the street. Please mind any street signs for special parking zones.

Source: Benton-West City Area Chamber of Commerce

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