A condensed location brings an old stage and new jewelry faire to St. Charles RiverFest

Sometimes less is more. Just ask the organizers of the city of St. Charles RiverFest.

Planners have scaled down the festival, which runs Thursday, June 11, to Sunday, June 14, from 10 venues to seven, which will be condensed along the Fox River to accommodate both volunteers and attendees.

"We found by reducing our footprint, we were able to take a look at everything we're offering and make a decision to keep or retract that attraction," festival organizer Julie Farris said. "It gave us a great opportunity to step back and refresh the event for this year."

Ed Bessner, a St. Charles alderman who helps organize the festival, said they were "shrinking back" a little to make the event more logistically accessible and maximize the event's focal point, the Fox River. This transition allows organizers to bring back the main stage at Cedar Avenue and South Riverside.

"We have a very entertaining musical lineup this year," Bessner said. "We worked a little harder to utilize one board member's experience in music, not necessarily to go out to get the greatest and best bands, but to tie in bands that make sense for RiverFest."

The Main Stage lineup includes: One Night Band, Libido Funk Circus, Mr. Meyers Band, Sonic 7, Hooked on Sonics, Evolution, Gregory Hyde, And Beyond, Six String Crossing and Focal Point.

Along with annual RiverFest traditions such as dragon boat racing, sand sculptures, a carnival, a craft show, ice cream eating contest, kids' activities and Kane County SWAT team demonstrations, the ninth annual "Digging for Treasure" jewelry faire will take place. The fundraiser, which benefits the Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin, will be the first hosted at RiverFest. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in the back lot of city hall, next to the Riverwalk. Admission to the Jewelry Faire is $5.

Jewelry Faire organizers reached out to RiverFest to find a new home after losing its former place at Geneva's Festival of the Vine. There, in 2014, the shelter raised about $40,000 and hopes to exceed that total this year.

"(Anderson Animal Shelter) had stored cases and cases of jewelry that had been donated," Farris explained. "We have actively worked with them for years, so when they contacted us and it was just a natural fit."

Those stored cases have accumulated more than 4,000 pieces of donated jewelry. Within the vast collection, and with appraisal assistance from local JP Jeweler, a number of hidden gems were found including a pearl necklace valued at $1,500 and a half carat diamond pendant.

The cardinal priority of the shelter is finding new homes for abandoned pets and Carrie Frost, the shelter's community outreach coordinator, said the fair is an exciting way for the community to benefit the shelter.

"I think it's about getting out in the community and being visible and having opportunities to educate and connect with the community," Frost said. "I think RiverFest is great opportunity to do that."

Bessner said the new event should tie in nicely to the existing activities. The shelter will also offer discounted dog microchipping, a wiener dog race, and pet parenting seminars.

"We do really appreciate having events that tie into local charities, local partners, and local vendors," Bessner said. "We thought it would tie in with our arts and crafts section and at the same time create some funding or profits to go back to the animal shelter."

Volunteers like Linda Voyles from Schaumburg said the broad scope of programs offered by the shelter, including behavioral training and senior assistance programs, prompted her and her daughter to join the effort. She said there's really no jewelry fair she's seen that comes close to its scale.

"You really have to see it to believe it," Voyles said.

For details, visit prideofthefox.net.

If you go

What: City of St Charles RiverFest

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 11-14

Where: Downtown St. Charles, centered around Main Street and Riverside Avenue

Admission: Free

Details: (630) 296-7683; <a href="http://prideofthefox.net">prideofthefox.net</a>