By Michael E. Keating
The Cincinnati Enquirer

TALL STACKS GUIDE

Planning your visit General information:  • Getting there  • Rules  • Tickets  • Weather forecast Schedules:  • Daily events  • Concerts & theater  • Sawyertown (Kids)  • On the Kentucky side Cincinnati.Com's Tall Stacks section

Oblivious to heavy rain headed his way, Belle of Louisville deckhand Rob White scrubbed the deck of the vintage vessel Tuesday, caked with mud from a recent boarding in Vevay, Ind.

Ric Snodgrass, a designer with Kolar Design, was both set decorator and trash collector while positioning scenic props and potted plants on Cincinnati's Public Landing.

Electricians from Mayer's Electric strung wire and installed lighting fixtures on the boarding kiosks at docking areas serving the spectacular riverboats that will line Cincinnati's waterfront today.

They were among the crews and support workers engaged in a frenzied dance Tuesday to put together the final pieces of the 2003 Tall Stacks Music, Arts and Heritage Festival puzzle. The five-day festival, which begins this morning, promises to be the largest yet.

All day, support tugs busily positioned docking barges and made final adjustments to anchor pilings as city workers assisted boat crews with the water and sewage hookups.

In Newport, Danny McNew, a city subcontractor, slashed away at waist-deep weeds with his gas-powered trimmer as rain poured down on him.

Stagehands and technicians made final adjustments to lighting and sound systems. A semi-mounted video display was positioned on the Purple People Bridge to give crowds a close-up view of performers.

For some, like Nancy Smith, a crewmember for the General Jackson stern-wheeler from Nashville, this was an opportunity to see Cincinnati.

"It looks great to me so far, but I just got here, checked in to my hotel and headed down here for a sponsor cruise tonight."