Riverfront adds ‘The Voice’ contenders, horseshoes to festival

Riverfront Rendezvous officials look to build on the tradition of musical enjoyment, good food and general family-friendly fun this year with Mainstage acts featuring the offspring of some greats and new up-and-coming acts.
The BoDeans will appear once again, headlining the festival from 9 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 1, followed by the Devon Allman Band, lead singer of which is the son of rock guitarist Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band, from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 2, and closing out the festival will be Aubrie Sellers, daughter of country singer Lee Ann Womack and award-winning singer/songwriter Jason Sellers. Aubrie Sellars, an up-and-comer, showcases her talents from 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. Sunday, July 3.
Another up-and-coming group, a duo from Green Bay, will perform on the Mainstage earlier in the evening Sunday: Alex and Andi Peot, whose singing drew all four chair turnarounds on “The Voice” in September 2015.
Eliminated in October 2015, the duo perform shows across country, but said Wisconsin is where their hearts are.
“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Independence Day weekend,” Andi Peot said. “Playing our music outside on a river in our home state, what’s better than that?”
Knowing the audience enjoys their music keeps them going, Alex Peot said.
“We always get a little nervous before shows but nothing too crazy,” she said. “We just love to play and connect with our fans.”
City officials said they are glad to be able to provide such acts annually; the music is the highest draw, studies have shown, and bringing good people and groups in takes a lot of time. Stevens Point Parks director Tom Schrader said immediately after one Riverfront ends, planning and searching for the next year’s acts begin.
“It’s neat because the music and food comprise more time and effort to put together than the fireworks,” he said. “I’m glad to see people truly enjoy it.”
Each year, the festival has something new to offer as well. This year, there will be horseshoe tournaments for singles and doubles.
“Riverfront Rendezvous is the one of the biggest community events that happens every year and brings the area together,” said Fred Lane, a Stevens Point resident who organized the horseshoes event and who’s been playing since he was a boy, tossing the horseshoes with his dad in the back yard and during camping trips.
“Horseshoes is a lot of fun, we love the game and want to keep it around,” he said. “I wanted to give the community an additional activity to participate in while enjoying the festivities and music.”
All ages can enter the contest (including children), and no experience is necessary. There will be classes throughout the day to determine with whom contestants should be paired to keep the skill levels even, Lane said.
Both singles and doubles events will take place at Mead Park, 1201 W. Whitney St., Stevens Point. There will be six-man round robin classes and 40 shoe games. Entry fee is $10 for singles, $20 for doubles.
Entry forms can be found online at www.stevenspoint.com/rr and mailed to Fred Lane, 541 Second St. N., Stevens Point. For more information, call 715-347-2507 or email [email protected]
This year will also feature a trivia contest with a variety of teams who will be asked a handful of questions and will move ahead according to the number of correct answers. That contest will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Pfiffner Building.
City staff will begin transforming the park on Monday, June 27, hauling in chairs, tables, ticket booths, and tent erection will follow Tuesday or Wednesday. Completing setup will take place Thursday, Schrader said.
The event has grown over the years to draw upward of 50,000 people over the course of the festival, he said. The cost to put on, however, has remained stable at about $124,000 in recent years. Committed corporate sponsors are the difference, he said.
No pets or fireworks, including sparklers, are allowed on the grounds during the festival, Schrader said. Carry-ins are discouraged.
A schedule of other activities and events can be found on page .