Details come together for Water Festival

With just under a month until the kickoff of the 46th-annual Rend Lake Water Festival, organizers are moving forward quickly with final details for the celebration.
"Communities Moving Forward" is the theme for this year's event, scheduled for May 10 to 13.
One of the festival highlights is the Saturday parade, beginning at 10:02 a.m. Chamber director Karen Mullins said prizes will be given to the "best of show," "best business," "best church," and "best club/organization."
The celebration will kick off Wednesday with the carnival by Brady's Amusements. Located on the northeast corner of the Benton Public Square, the carnival will operate from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Lauren Johnson is coordinating this year's pageant, which is scheduled for Friday evening.
"Registration forms went to the grade schools yesterday," she said.
The pageant is open to boys and girls ages 2 to 8. The age categories are 2 to 4 and 5 to 8. There will be a winner and runner-up for boys and girls in each age category.
"This year's winners will receive an overnight trip to St. Louis and tickets to Six Flags," Mullins said.
The runners-up will get Holiday World tickets. Mullins said the prizes are sponsored this year by WQRL radio.
Registration forms are available on the Chamber website, at the Chamber office, at U.S. Bank and at the State Bank of Whittington.
Mullins said festival patrons should make plans to attend "Taste of Rend Lake" Thursday evening at Capitol Park. Sponsored through the support of American Legion Post 280, this event will feature local food and wine from BonzFire Grill, Joe's Pizza, Pheasant Hollow Winery, Seasonings Bistro and Uncle Joe's BBQ. Patrons can purchase tasting tickets, and walk-up food purchases will be available.
"The proceeds from this will go to CASA of Franklin County, the Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance, and the Chamber scholarships," Mullins said.
Mullins said the entertainment line-up is now complete. This year's musical acts include The Bucket List on Wednesday, Seth Watkins and Friends on Thursday, and Skydweller, AsWeAre, AllTiesAside on Friday. These events will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Capital Park.
Saturday's Family Fun Festival on the Old Logan School lot also will feature live entertainment. From noon until 4 p.m. there will be an acoustic showcase. Charles Lueker will play from 6 to 9 p.m. The Family Fun Festival also will feature food booths, demonstrations by the Franklin County Sheriff Department K9 Unit, inflatables and LazerTag.
"Thanks to the sponsorship of BonzFire Grill, Helia Healthcare of Benton and Seasonings Bistro, the LazerTag will be free," Mullins said.
"We also have several vendors lined up with more coming in daily," Mullins said.
More information about the festival is available on the Chamber website at www.bentonwestcitychamber.com.