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Thousands of people came out to Riverfest Saturday Oct 5, 2019 an annual street fair in historic downtown Wilmington, NC, that featured street food, arts and crafts, dance performances, fireworks, along the banks of the Cape Fear River. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Riverfest crowds strolling down Water Street are reflected inside the water-filled glass bulbs of Plant Rooters that Dan Stefureac was selling at the event. More than 30,000 people were expected to attend Riverfest, and booths selling crafts and food lined Water street along the river walk. LOGAN WALLACE/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Crew members from the U.S.C.G.C. Diligence pilot a much smaller craft past their ship and down the Cape Fear River in Riverfest's Raft Regatta 2002 Saturday. Six homemade rafts competed in the paddle along Wilmington's downtown riverfront. LOGAN WALLACE/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Zoey O'neil gets her face painted at the 2015 Riverfest in downtown Wilmington. MATT MILLER/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

An overview of Water Street during the 2015 Riverfest in downtown Wilmington on Saturday. MATT MILLER/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Sheri Shimada fires a ships carbine with others firing small arms along the Cape Fear River in the Feast of the Pirate's section of Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington Saturday, November 19, 2016. The festival concludes on Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Funnel cakes came in a wide variety of choices Sunday at RiverFest in Wilmington. CHIP ELLIS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Pirates fight one another during the 2006 Riverfest behind the Cotton Exchange in Wilmington.

Thousands of people came out to Riverfest on Water St. Sunday. TYLER HICKS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Christian Davis, left, and brother Clyde Davis look over the funnel cake options during the 39th annual Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington, N.C. Saturday, October 7, 2017. The festival continues Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The annual fall festival, the Wilmington area's largest, has been held annually downtown since 1979. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

McKenzie Lambert takes a bite of her sanwhich as thousands of people came out to Riverfest Saturday Oct 5, 2019 an annual street fair in historic downtown Wilmington, NC, that featured street food, arts and crafts, dance performances, fireworks, along the banks of the Cape Fear River. KEN BEVINS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Michael Farrow of "Kids Making It" Woodshow spins his new project with fellow woodworker Samuel Estep as they show off their skill during Wilmington's RiverFest Saturday afternoon as the festival celebrates it's 35th Anniversary. JEFF JANOWSKI/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

This color photograph captures a view of people sitting in front of the Federal Building enjoying Riverfest 1979. courtesy of New Hanover Library/ DARE, Inc. Collection

Food vendors lined Front St. during the 39th annual Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington, N.C. Saturday, October 7, 2017.. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Millie Prechtz makes another funnel cake at Millie's funnel cakes as thousands of people came out to Riverfest Saturday Oct 5, 2019 an annual street fair in historic downtown Wilmington, NC, that featured street food, arts and crafts, dance performances, fireworks, along the banks of the Cape Fear River. KEN BEVINS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Thousands of people came out to Riverfest Saturday Oct 5, 2019 an annual street fair in historic downtown Wilmington, NC, that featured street food, arts and crafts, dance performances, fireworks, along the banks of the Cape Fear River. KEN BEVINS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Wilmington Riverfest took place in downtown Wilmington Saturday, November 19, 2016.The festival was postponed from October due to Hurricane Matthew. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Kids listen to a story in the Feast of the Pirates section of Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington Saturday, November 19, 2016. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Wilmington Riverfest took place in downtown Wilmington Saturday, November 19, 2016.The festival was postponed from October due to Hurricane Matthew. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Massive Grass perform during the 39th annual Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington, N.C. Saturday, October 7, 2017. The festival continues Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The annual fall festival -- the Wilmington area's largest -- has been held annually downtown since 1979. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

With the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge as a backdrop, thousands crowd Water Street on the final day of the 20th annual Riverfest on Sunday afternoon. ERIN WALL/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

The David Dixon Trio entertained the RiverFest crowds with R&B, Blues and rock tunes all afternoon. CHIP ELLIS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Kal Seyam ladles cheese onto a cheesesteak sandwich during the 39th annual Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington, N.C. Saturday, October 7, 2017. The festival continues Sunday at 9:30 a.m.The annual fall festival, the Wilmington areaÕs largest, has been held annually downtown since 1979. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Brittany Miller fills up at Wild Bills Old Fashioned Soda Pop during the 39th annual Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington, N.C. Saturday, October 7, 2017. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Johnny Shipman cooks steak during the 40th annual Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington, N.C., Saturday, November 17, 2018. The festival includes a variety of activities including a street fair, kid zone, live music, a BMX show, a car show and numerous vendors. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Kids play in the Kid Zone during the 40th annual Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington, N.C., Saturday, November 17, 2018. The festival includes a variety of activities including a street fair, kid zone, live music, a BMX show, a car show and numerous vendors. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

The 40th annual Wilmington Riverfest is taking place in downtown Wilmington, N.C., Saturday, November 17, 2018. The festival includes a variety of activities including a street fair, kid zone, live music, a BMX show, a car show and numerous vendors. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Riders with Gold Medal BMX perform during the 40th annual Wilmington Riverfest in downtown Wilmington, N.C., Saturday, November 17, 2018. The festival includes a variety of activities including a street fair, kid zone, live music, a BMX show, a car show and numerous vendors. MATT BORN/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Mew Hernsawat cooks up some Thai BBQ Chicken on a stick as thousands of people came out to Riverfest Saturday Oct 5, 2019 an annual street fair in historic downtown Wilmington, NC, that featured street food, arts and crafts, dance performances, fireworks, along the banks of the Cape Fear River. KEN BEVINS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Thousands of people came out to Riverfest Saturday Oct 5, 2019 an annual street fair in historic downtown Wilmington, NC, that featured street food, arts and crafts, dance performances, fireworks, along the banks of the Cape Fear River. KEN BEVINS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO

Thousands of people came out to Riverfest Saturday Oct 5, 2019 an annual street fair in historic downtown Wilmington, NC, that featured street food, arts and crafts, dance performances, fireworks, along the banks of the Cape Fear River. KEN BEVINS/STARNEWS FILE PHOTO