monticellotimes. com Monticello Riverfest • Thursday, July 3, 2025 Page 21

As recalled by Mike Benedetto:

The first Riverfest was actually a Fourth of July Bicentennial celebration in 1976. The event was a cooperative festivity sponsored by the Lions Club, Rotary Club and other community organizations.

The Grand Marshall was senator and former Vice President Hubert Humphry. There were approximately 10,000 people who attended the parade and the chicken dinner in the park.

The following July 4th celebrations were the sole responsibility of the Monticello Lions. The event was billed as an old-fashioned community get together. It was never intended to be a carnival-like atmosphere with rides and carnival games.

The parade’ s main attraction was basically an antique car parade, and four to five marching bands, followed by a chicken dinner in Ellison Park. Believe it or not, beer sales were not a part of the initial

celebration

The Lions cooked the chicken in the old Maus Grocery store, which is now the Monticello Help Center. The Lions then carted the cooked chicken down to the park in coolers ready to be served by fellow Lions waiting in the park( how wild!).

The Miss Monticello Coronation was first held as part of the festivities in 1980. The crown went to Kim Johnson, a senior at Monticello High School.

In 1983, the first Citizen of the Year was initiated. The recognition went to Lynn Smith, who was the owner and publisher of the Monticello Times.

During those years, the parade route varied. The first few years the route went right down Broadway, other years it started at the Maus store. Up until the early 2000s, the parade route went down 3rd Street, crossed Highway 25 and ended up either at the park or the middle school. Because of traffic problems, the route was changed

to where it is today. Crossing the highway was eliminated.

In the early days of the celebration, the event was always held on the Fourth of July. With the exception of 1997, when a terrific storm struck the town on July 1. The devastation to the town was so severe to the parks, trees and more that the event was delayed until a smaller festival was held later that summer.

As the celebration continued, the event was eventually moved off of July 4 to allow for greater participation.

The Lions, with only approximately 40 members back then, did not have the personnel to keep up with the expanding event.

In order to continue with the celebration it was necessary to include other organizations in the planning and implementation of the expanded festivities.

In 1986, the name of the event morphed into the new name of Riverfest.