THE WEEKEND TEN

LITTLE ROCK — The Weekend Ten is always devoted to a variety of different events. But it’s Memorial Day weekend, and the three-day Riverfest is the event.

First the basics: Riverfest takes place Friday (6-11 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m.-11 p.m.) and Sunday (1-11 p.m.) in downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock. Admission is $30 for adults (good for three days) at the gate and $25 via online ticketing (www.riverfestarkansas.com). Discounted $15 tickets

might still be available at Wendy’s and Big Red stores. Children’s admission is $5 per day for ages 7-10 at the gate and free for children ages 6 and younger. Call (501) 255-3378.

So what should you not miss at this year’s festival?

1 LUDACRIS

Making his central Arkansas debut, the rapper born Christopher Bridges will “Rollout” the rhymes at 10 p.m.

Sunday on the Miller Lite Amphitheatre Stage.

2 EARTH, WIND & FIRE

You won’t have to wait until “September” to see the enduring R&B band. Just until 9:45 p.m. Friday on the Miller Lite Amphitheatre Stage.

3 STEVE MILLER BAND

“Fly Like an Eagle” to see legend Steve Miller command the Bud Light Stage at the Clinton Presidential Center Park at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

4 THE BLACK CROWES

The ever “Hard to Handle” band fronted by Chris Robinson will rock the Bud Light Stage at the Clinton Presidential Center Park at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Harder to handle: Also trying to attend the Blake Shelton show at the same time Saturday on the Miller Lite Amphitheatre Stage and the 9:15 p.m. Saturday Bell Biv Devoe show on the Triple-S Alarm Stage. And if that’s not enough musicfor you, there’s also the Arkansas Music Tent, the North Little Rock Inspirational Music Stage and the International Village Stage.

5 FOOD

For appetizers: roasted corn, kettle corn, corn dogs. Formain course: pizza, Mexican food, crawfish, barbecue, turkey legs. For dessert: funnel cakes, ice cream, candy apples. For all of the above: Make sure your eyes don’t get bigger than your stomach.

And that your stomach doesn’t get bigger than your nonrefundable RiverMoney - the currency vendors use at Riverfest.

6 MARKET ROW

Another place to spend money: Market Row, where merchants and artists sell just about everything including jewelry, temporary airbrush tattoos and Egyptian cotton sheets sets.

7 KIDDING AROUND

The KidZone area in the Peabody Playground & Water Park can keep the tykes entertained with activities like games, crafts and sun visor decorating, while the KidZone Stage features entertainment from magic and animal acts to music, including The United States Navy Band. There’s also a Teen Extreme area with rides, games and temporary tattoos at the Clinton Presidential Center.

8 ANIMAL INSTINCTS

Go to the dogs at the Super Retriever Series Crown Championship, where four-legged athletes show off their skills jumping into a pool (not to mention splashing skills, so stand back). Events take place each day behind the Doubletree Hotel in the west end of Riverfront Park.

9 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Driving around crowded downtown(pick one: Little Rock or North Little Rock) during Riverfest can drive one crazy. So, for a $2 round-trip charge, consider taking the shuttles. Shuttles pick up passengers at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock and at North LittleRock High School’s West Campus and drop them off at the front gates.

10 FIREWORKS

Go out with a bang, lots of them. The Osborne Family Fireworks fire up at 9 p.m. Sunday.