Riverfront Rendezvous ends its three-day run By GENE KEMMETER of The Gazette The traditional fireworks display ended the sun-filled three-day run of Riverfront Rendezvous at Pfiffner Pioneer Park in Stevens Point on Sunday, July 1. Tom Schrader, director of the Stevens Point Parks and Recreation Department, said he estimates 50,000 to 60,000 people attended the event, although that figure is hard to estimate. The event is free and people come and go during the weekend, checking out the music or grabbing a bite to eat so numbers are hard to estimate, he said. But he noted that the Kiwanis Club operated a corn-on-the-cob stand for the first time and ran out of corn on Sunday before the event was finished. Friday and Saturday were warm, humid days, while temperatures dropped to highs in the 60s on Sunday. Schrader figured 7,000 to 8,000 people stopped by on Friday night when Michael McDermott and The Fixx were the featured acts on the mainstage, the bandshell. When Darryl Worley and Anna Fermin's Gospel performed at the bandshell on Saturday night, he figured the crowd was 12,000 to 14,000. He wouldn't venture a guess at the number who showed up for the fireworks on Sunday, although he noted that many used sites near the Clark Street bridge, an area that previously drew only sparse crowds. Brief periods of rain on Saturday afternoon didn't seem to affect attendance either, particularly the Carp Classic, he said. "The rain didn't dampen the crowd," he said. "Rain sure won't stop the true carper." Many of the musical acts for Rendezvous this year were either on their way to Summerfest in Milwaukee or coming from that event, which is dubbed "The Big Gig." Schrader said that helps the city provide some talented artists at a lower cost because the artists have an open date and will perform at a reduced rate. Rendezvous is funded by the city, mainly through the use of room-tax funds, and also features a number of activities, including a Community Walk to start the weekend. In 2002, the Fourth of July falls on a Thursday, so Riverfront Rendezvous will start that day and run four days, ending on Sunday afternoon, after the Kid's Parade and Kid's Day activities, Schrader said. Although July 4 is the first day of the event, he said the fireworks will be held on Saturday night, July 6. "It's pretty hard to shoot the finale on the first day," he said. Doll Pageant In the doll pageant on Saturday afternoon, Katherine Richard took first in Best of Show for females, while Natalie Jakusz and Elise Jakusz tied for second. In Best of Show for males, Peter Kiefer was first and Dawson Pies was second. In the Look-A-Like category, Olivia Pies was first and Carolyn Graboski-Bale was second. Kristi Casas took first in Best Infant-Like and Kara Weller was second. For Professional Looking, Madeline Pies was first and Kyle Repinski was second. The Major Country winner was Carissa Marie. Receiving honorable mention for their dolls were Hannah Morris, Brianna Kiefer and Alli Richard. Carp Classic Participants in the Carp Classic caught 964.25 pounds of carp in the Wisconsin River, the second highest total in the history of the event. The record was 1,134.75 pounds caught in 2000. In the individual shore category, Dan Pflugart caught the largest fish, 16 pounds, one of the largest fish ever caught during the contest. Tony and Phil Pawlawski caught the most total pounds, 115.5. In the team boat category, John Hinsley and Kim Piotrowski caught the largest fish, 11 pounds, and Mary and George Kvatek caught the most total pounds, 89. For a child 12 and under, Anthony Hennes caught the largest fish, 12 pounds, while Brandon Hennes caught the most total pounds, 54. Up a Lazy River by the Old Mill Creek (5K Prediction Run) Michael Fahe won the Up a Lazy River by the Old Mill Creek (5K Prediction Run) by finishing the run within 17 seconds of his predicted time. He predicted 22 minutes and finished in 21 minutes, 43 seconds. John Hilsted was second, with his time of 19 minutes and one second within 29 seconds of his predicted time. Rick Smaglik was third, with his 22:17 time within 37 seconds of his prediction; Peter Kovash was fourth, with his 21:47 time within 53 seconds of his prediction; and Kathe Carter fifth, with her 28:06 time within 54 seconds of her prediction. Tim Lavanger took sixth with a time of 21:15 within 1:15 of his prediction, and Ryan Lavanger and Marv Hafenbreadl tied for seventh for coming within 1:16 of their predictions. Renee Martell received a sports watch with a timer for having the worst prediction. Her time of 28:57 was 6:03 better than her prediction.