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HomeArts/LeisureThe final day of Rivers and Spires starts off slow, but picks...

The final day of Rivers and Spires starts off slow, but picks up in the end

The Rivers and Spires FestivalClarksville, TN – Due to unseasonably chilly weather and a blustery wind, the third day of Rivers and Spires looked like it was going to end with a whimper rather than a bang, the victim of the unpredictable spring weather. However as the afternoon wore on, more and more people showed up to enjoy all that the festival had to offer. “The crowd hung in even though we had monsoon winds and rains, and I think it says a lot about this festival, and how much people enjoy it” said Festival Manager Doug Barber.

These girls had a great time at the 2011 Rivers and Spires Festival
These girls had a great time at the 2011 Rivers and Spires Festival

The morning started off at 8:00am with Hank Bonecutter from WJZM 1400AM doing his Saturday morning show Clarksville in Review from Rivers and Spires.

Normally he does the show outside in a booth on the street, but due to the weather and wind, it was moved into the lobby of Edwards Steakhouse on Franklin Street.

Guests included James Chavez from the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce; Bill Roberts from Thunder Road Automotive & Marine, who sponsored the live remote; Larry Dunlap-Berg from the Adventure Science Center in Nashville, TN; Doug Barber, Festival Manager for Rivers and Spores; Miss River Queen Giselle Fontenot, and Miss River Teen Sarah Gross along with their escorts from the B.O.S.S. program from Fort Campbell; Robin Burton from the Chamber of Commerce; Kelly Maselli from the Aspire to Stardom Contest; and more.

You can still listen to the show via their brand new podcasting service.

Hank Bonecutter from WJZM 1400 AM doing his Clarksville in Review show from Edwards Steakhouse in Downtown Clarksville during Rivers and Spires
Hank Bonecutter from WJZM 1400 AM doing his Clarksville in Review show from Edwards Steakhouse in Downtown Clarksville during Rivers and Spires
Nick's Kids Show
Nick's Kids Show

The kids zone was bustling with activities as children with in coats and caps stood with their parents waiting for their turn on the inflatables. Nick’s Kids show was also a popular destination throughout the day. Nearby the Red River Sirens gave a demonstration of how Roller Derby is played and scored.

The festival’s seven stages were kept hopping all day long with something for everyone including festival favorites Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama, Jezebellies Belly Dance Troupe, and the Hui Hawaii O Tenesi Hawaiian Civic Club. School groups were also given the opportunity to strut their stuff before their families and friends.

Austin Peay State University got into the fun holding a flash mob on Franklin Street with around 100 students suddenly gathering and breaking out in dance to the Young MC song Bust A Move. The crowd cheered loudly as University President Tim Hall danced down the middle of the street at the end. Afterwards the participants gathered for a group photo.

The APSU Flash Mob performing on Franklin Street
The APSU Flash Mob performing on Franklin Street
A young girl gets her face painted
A young girl gets her face painted

At Artz Galore artists and other crafts people were displaying their creations. This was also the location of some of the best face painters I have ever seen.

The International Streetfest was in full swing with organizations such as the Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education (H.O.P.E.) and AFS Intercultural Programs were busy making new contacts in the community. On the other side three young girls danced a hula to raise donations for the Hui Hawaii O Tenesi Hawaiian Civic Club.

The Beagles were performing on the Third and Main stage with a happy crowd sitting nearby enjoying their always popular tunes.

The Beagles performing at the 2011 Rivers and Spires Festival
The Beagles performing at the 2011 Rivers and Spires Festival

The Jazz and Wine area was packed with people enjoying each others company along with sampling the various vintners wares, with Beachaven Winery being one of the most popular destinations.

Flute music lures festival attendees into his shop
Flute music lures festival attendees into his shop

A Native American merchant was luring people in with the soft sounds of flute music. While at another booth a father and son were getting airbrushed tattoos together. Food was ever popular with funnel cakes, turkey drumsticks, and ears of corn going as quickly as they could be prepared. City Councilwoman Candy Johnson was busy visting the various booths to find something to eat. Artist Michelle Harrell came up from Gulf Breeze Florida and was still able to stand perfectly still in what had to be absolutely frigid weather as she filled the role of a living statue.

Aspire to Stardom took the Fun Zone stage by storm with young performers competing to win a $2,500 cash prize from the Daymar Institute. The competition was hosted by Kelly Maselli and her daughter Samantha. The Judges were Melanie Thompson of Daymar Institute, Angel Johnson of Keller Williams Realty, Aris Golemi from Xcel Talent Agency of Atlanta, and Mike Macelli of Gateway Reality. the panel of judges rated the contestants and picked the winner. Previous contestants had moved on to become professional performers, including Maddie Mauk who was signed by Sony Records. This year the winner was a young woman Tristan McIntosh (age 10) who sang Martina McBrides song Broken Wing. She was a favorite with the crowd and judges.

Kelly Maselli, Melanie Thompson, Tristan McIntosh, and Samantha Maselli
Kelly Maselli, Melanie Thompson, Tristan McIntosh, and Samantha Maselli
Clint Black playing at the 2011 Rivers and Spires Festival
Clint Black playing at the 2011 Rivers and Spires Festival

As the time for Clint Black’s performance drew closer, the crowds began packing in. By time the performance began it was hard to move anywhere near the stage, with some husbands putting their wives on their shoulders making it even harder for people behind them to see the stage. Black is a master of the stage, and he utilized it well. He interspersed his performance by telling jokes and interacting with the audience. The music was top notch and it was a great way to close out the festival.

Kudo’s to everyone who made this years festival such a success! Especially the Rivers and Spires Committee, and all of the hard working volunteers.

2011 Rivers and Spires Festival Committee

Festival Manager Doug Barber
Treasurer/Accounting Allan Groves, Khandra Smalley
Production Mgr. Theresa Harrington
Logistics Steve Stroman, Jennifer Byard
Entertainment Sears Hallett, Charlie Koon, Stephen Coleman
Food/Commercial Vendors Steve Stroman, Jan Roberts
Volunteers Britney Campbell, Erinne Hester
Webmaster Adam Groves
Marketing Robin Burton, Wendy Welch
Video Production Rick Goodwin
Downtown Merchants Melinda Shepard
Military Yvonne Pickering
Childrenā€™s Events David Brockman
Teen Zone Doug Barber
Childrenā€™s Parade Shirley Taylor, Lee Erwin
Clarksvilleā€™s Got Talent Scott Chase
Mascot Mania Tasha Rennels
River Queen/Teen Pageant Nikki Loos Peterson, Nicole Aquino Lamm
International Streetfest Marlene Livesay
Jazz ā€˜N Wine Kellie Jackson,Garnett Ladd III, Louisa Cooke, Mickey Richaud
Grand Wine Party Shela Williams
Artz Galore Nellynn Henson, Annette Kalinowski
The MarketPlace Channel Lemon
Patchwork Premiere Kathy Depriest
Step Off Team Competition Yasmine Carrion,Alphonse Prather
Last Band Standing Jared Mims
Eagleoke JT Daniels
Songwriters Showcase David Walker
Corvettes on the Cumberland Bill Coke
Memory Lane Cruisers Bill Baggett
March to the Past Phyllis Smith
Quilts on the Cumberland Wanda Morrison, Jerry Church
School System Representatives Kay Drew,Candy Johnson

Photo Gallery

Bill Larson
Bill Larson
Bill Larson isĀ  is politically and socially active in the community. Bill is a member of the Friends of Dunbar Cave. You can reach him via telephone at 931-249-0043 or via the email address below.
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