Jaycees carnival back on Riverboat Days grounds

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By Steven Martens | Friday, July 04, 2008 |

CLINTON, Iowa — First-day visitors to Clinton’s Riverboat Days were able to enjoy the Clinton Jaycees carnival Thursday without leaving the event grounds for the first time in four years.

Riverboat Days Commodore Bernie Holtkamp said the Jaycees agreed to move their event back to the Riverboat Days grounds, where it had operated for several years before a rift between the two groups over control of the carnival caused the two events to separate in 2004.

Holtkamp said he was pleased the two groups were working together again.

“We figured we should get together and support each other,” Holtkamp said.

Bart Leavens, administrative vice president for the Clinton Jaycees board of directors, declined to comment Thursday.

By working with the city of Clinton and getting permission from the Wild Rose Casino & Resort to use the parking lot just north of Alliant Energy Field, organizers also were able to arrange to bring in 150 truckloads of dirt for tractors pulls, a demolition derby and mud volleyball. Mike Fullerton, who is in charge of the “dirt events,” said the events were among the most popular for Riverboat Days visitors until they were discontinued about four years ago when the city converted the ground on which they used to be held into an RV park.

On Thursday afternoon, a small opening day crowd was milling around the carnival midway and about two dozen people had already set up their folding chairs to reserve a good spot for the evening’s headliner musical act, Dennis DeYoung performing the music of Styx.

Cassie Heinitz and her mother, Jamie David, both of Clinton, were enjoying watching Heinitz’s 4-year-old daughter, Haley Williams, jumping on a trampoline while attached to bungee cords at the carnival.

David said her family has visited Riverboat Days frequently over the years, including young Haley.

“She’s grown up coming here,” she said.

David said she was glad to see the carnival back on the Riverboat Days grounds.

“We like it a lot better in here,” she said.

Riverboat Days continues through Saturday night. For more information, visit riverboatdays.org.

Steven Martens can be contacted at (563) 659-2595 or smartens@qctimes.com.

Schedule of events

Today

8 a.m. — Mud volleyball begins, North Grounds

10 a.m. — Grounds open, Jaycee’s Carnival, Prince of Peace Bingo Tent

11 a.m. and 4 p.m. — Bob Bohm Magic Show

Noon to 5 p.m. — Karaoke contest, tractor pulls.

1, 3 and 5:30 p.m. — Ray Thompson, hypnotist

2 and 6 p.m. — Survivor Family Fun Show

3 to 5 p.m. — Kids activities

7 p.m. — Blackhawk,

Restless Heart on Main Stage.

10:30 p.m. — After-hours band concert

Saturday

8 a.m. — Mud volleyball begins, North Grounds

10 a.m. — Grounds open, Jaycee’s Carnival, Prince of Peace Bingo Tent, car show.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Wise Guys Skateboard Tournament

10:30 a.m. — Survivor

Family Fun Show

11 a.m. — Kids Pedal Pull

Noon to 5 p.m. — Karaoke Contest

Noon to 4 p.m. —

Demolition Derby

1, 3 and 5:30 p.m. — Ray Thompson, hypnotist

2 and 6 p.m. — Bob Bohm Magic Show

4 p.m. — Survivor Family Fun Show

4:30 to 7:30 p.m. —

Ultimate Fighting at Alliant Energy Field

7 p.m. — Blue Oyster Cult and The Shadows of Knight, Main Stage

Fireworks after concert