Riverfest is canceled, but Conway looks to make July 4 even more special this year
Conway’s annual Riverfest Festival won’t happen in 2020, but city leaders appropriated the festival funding to create a special Fourth of July fireworks show and a local business marketing campaign.
Riverfest is a summer event held in Conway’s downtown area and riverfront park featuring local foods, vendors and live music. This year it was expected to be held on June 27.
Coronavirus social distancing guidelines led the Conway Chamber of Commerce to cancel the event.
“Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of events, they have decided to cancel Riverfest,” Conway Finance Director Allison Williams said on behalf of the chamber.
While the plans are changing, the City of Conway is allowing the chamber of commerce to repurpose the money it would have been given.
City council voted unanimously on Monday to approve $15,500 of the city’s accommodation and hospitality tax monies that normally went to the festival to be rededicated for other promotional events.
Hospitality and accommodations taxes are levied on hotels and restaurants. The revenue from these taxes has to be used for specific expenses like promotional events as required by law.
The first $7,500 will go towards the fireworks show held on July 4.
The rest of the money will go toward a campaign to promote businesses across the City of Conway. Chamber Executive Vice President Kelli James said the specifics of the marketing plan are being worked on now but it will promote shopping local.
More information on how Conway will market its businesses will be released soon.
