By By ERIN VER BERKMOES and EMILY DREITZLER / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Over the weekend downtown Niles was a buzz as the 15th annual Riverfest was held at Riverfront Park.
Area residents were able to enjoy everything from the Mr. and Ms. Riverfest contest, which got the festival started on Thursday night, to a variety of bands playing everything from classic rock, bluegrass and folk.
Festival goers could also participate in the Fifth Third Bank/YMCA run and walk, take a look at classic cars at the AAA Car show, browze through the many arts and crafts booths, compete in the dragon boat races and build a raft for the annual "Anything that Floats" raft race.
With all the 2005 Riverfest has to offer, people attending the festival enjoy different things the festival has to offer.
Michigan State Senator Ron Jelinek also spoke at the opening ceremonies, "Everyone is going to have lots of fun at the Niles Riverfest," he said. "Things are really popping on the river's edge here in Niles and the festival is a great time for all, with everything offered."
"I like visiting all of the craft booths. We like to walk around and look at them all," Monica Holloway also of Niles said.
Anita Belcher from Niles said, "Well right now it's the food, because I am so hungry. But I also enjoy the float race and just walking around."
Carl Ott who originally is from Nile but now resides in Colorado, said, "This is my first time at Riverfest so my favorite part would be just seeing everything for the first time. I've heard a lot about it. It's a great thing; we never had this kind of stuff in Niles when I was growing up here."