The party has begun.
Riverfest '97 might be four days away, but boat owner Paul Koch said ''it's been in full swing since Saturday.''
Mr. Koch, of Sayler Park, is one of many people camped out on houseboats and large cruisers along the Newport shore.
''We got here last Friday, like kids who can't wait for a birthday party,'' said Joan Rice of Cincinnati, as she stood on the deck of her Dix-Sea-Queen taking out curlers she put in to spiff up her hair for the evening's corn roast.
They say their early arrival is to nab a really good seat for the annual fireworks display (it's expected to draw 500,000 ), but it's also an excuse for an in-town vacation.
''We look forward to this all year,'' said Bill Ruehl of Sayler Park.
Bill Groll of Sayler Park pulled in Saturday and plans to stay until Monday. ''We all know each other, so we're always visiting, talking, sitting up on the top deck having a rum and Coke,'' Mr. Groll said.
''I sat here this morning and thought of all the people going to work. .Ç.Ç. Now it's 2, and I'm sitting here with a cold beer. How could life get any better?''
Many of the boaters leave their boats during the day for work and live there at night. Others are full-timers on the river, such as Mr. Koch and Mr. Groll, who are retired. Mr. Ruehl is semiretired. This is bachelor's week out for them. ''Sometimes our wives come down to visit, but mostly it's just us,'' Mr. Koch says.
And why not? The living is easy. ''I did make my bed today,'' Mr. Koch volunteers.
You get the feeling fireworks aren't top priority, that maybe a week of the build-up edges them out.
Not so. Come Sunday, Mr. Groll has 10 kids, 21 grandchildren and friends coming. Mr. Koch has 10 family members due in. Ms. Rice has her five kids ''and a batch of friends. About 30 in all.''
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RIVERFEST ADDS TO EXTRAVAGANZA Aug. 13, 1997
