Rend Lake Water Festival opens tonight

Everything is in place for tonight's opening of the 46th-annual Rend Lake Water Festival. The only uncertainty is the weather.
"We are hoping that Mother Nature will cooperate," Benton/West City Chamber Director Karen Mullins said, "but we are making plans to relocate events in case the weather threatens."
Mullins said those plans will be available at bentonwestcitychamber.com or by calling the Chamber office at 618-438-2121.
Mullins said organizers already have decided to postpone "A Taste of Rend Lake" based on weather predictions. "There is just no feasible way or place to relocate this event," she said. "We are planning to hold this event, bigger and better, in the fall."
Lauren Johnson is coordinating this year's pageant scheduled for Friday evening. "Registration forms went to the grade schools yesterday," she said. The pageant is open for 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.
Brady's Amusements will have its carnival open 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.
Weather-permitting, Capitol Park will be the spot for this year's entertainment line-up. This year's musical acts include the Bucket List on Wednesday, Seth Watkins and friends on Thursday, and Skydweller, AsWeAre, AllTiesAside on Friday. The entertainment is scheduled to take place from 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday's Family Fun Festival on the Old Logan School lot also will feature live entertainment. From noon to 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 include 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. "In fact, our sponsors are the reason we can hold this event."
The parade is scheduled for 10:02 a.m. Saturday.