Riverfest Gives Back

37  YEARS  OF  GIVING

The mission of Riverfest, Inc. is to produce  a  quality, recreational, cultural, educational, family-oriented celebration of the visual and performing arts for the benefit of the community.

Riverfest money makes a lasting impression on the community.

Each year, over a quarter million people prove the success of that mission, making Riverfest the largest event in the state.

All of this  is  accomplished with  just  four  paid employees. Volunteers cover the rest with a 35-member Board, a 250-person planning committee and an impressive group of 3,000 who labor tirelessly during the three-day weekend.

This allows remaining money to be pumped back into the Riverfront area. For example:

1983 – $50,000 to construct the East Fountain in Riverfront Park

1986 – $1,000 toward construction of the Belvedere in Riverfront Park

1986 – $200,000 pledged toward construction of the Riverfest Amphitheatre 1986 – First $50,000 payment toward Amphitheatre pledge

1987 – Second $50,000 payment toward Amphitheatre pledge

1990 – Third $50,000 payment toward Amphitheatre pledge

1991 – Final $50,000 payment toward Amphitheatre pledge

1994 – $50,000 payment to pay for fencing around Amphitheatre 1996 – $175,000 pledged for East Pavilion at the River Market.

1996 – First $50,000 payment made. 1998 – $25,000 payment toward Pavilion 1999 – $50,000 payment toward Pavilion

2000 – Final $50,000 Pavilion payment

2002 – $30,000 to construct the Riverfest Plaza and Jim Sick Fountain linking the Riverfest Amphitheatre to the River Market Pavilions

2002 – $25,000 to the Junior League of Little Rock to complete remodeling of the Junior League of Little Rock Building at 4th & Scott

2003 – $3,500 to replace vinyl curtains in East Pavilion at River Market

2004 – $50,000 to enhance and renovate the Riverfest Amphitheatre

2005 – $30,000 to the City of North Little Rock for park improvements

2005 – $20,000 to the City of Little Rock for playground renovations in

2006 – $15,000 to the City of Little Rock for renovations and improvements to the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park

2006 - Funds from the $50,000 pledged for improvements to Riverfest Amphitheatre were used to construct a new floor on the Amphitheatre stage ($20,000)

2008 – $20,000 contribution was paid

2008 – $100,000 is pledged towards the La Petite Roche project in Riverfront Park

2010 – $6,000 to add wrought-iron fencing around Riverfest Amphitheatre Stage and replace tarp under Amphitheatre roof

2012 – $150,000 is pledged to the City of Little Rock for construction of a new roof for the Riverfest Amphitheatre

These financial contributions are in addition to rental payments made to the Cities for use of Julius Breckling Riverfront Park and the North Shore Riverwalk.