DEMOPOLIS – The 2nd Annual River City Rumble was held July 17-18 in Demopolis and like last year’s event it was a success.

Next year, organizers have already announced an expansion of the race weekend, which could mean more boats and buns for spectators.

Chairman of the ‘River City Rumble’ Committee Jim Parr said he would like to thank the people of Demopolis for making the event a success and helping to raise more than $7,000 for the Christmas on the River Fund. The overall attendance was down from last year, due to the weather, he said.

“I was a little disappointed in the turnout of Demopolis residents to the event,” Parr said, “There are cities lining up to hold these events and I’m just a little disappointed the residents of Demopolis didn’t support the event as much as they could have.”

The event averaged about 700 spectators a day, and usually the event averages about 1,000 visitors a day at other locations, he said. Nothing went wrong the entire weekend, except maybe the rain on Saturday morning.

Events and Tourism Director of the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce, Kelley Smith, said the ODBA has already booked the event for next year and the plans are already in the works to add the Best Burger on the River contest to the Rumble next year.

There are also plans to make the race a Mercury Triple Crown Race next year as well, she said.

“If they decide to make this event a Mercury Triple Crown Race next year, that could add about 20 more boats to the event next year,” Smith said.

Parr said the event went off with a hitch, everything went smooth and Marine Police Officer Pat Oliver didn’t even issue a single ticket.

Next year’s event, with the addition of the Best Burger on the River contest, will surely be one of the biggest events the City of Demopolis has ever seen.

“The event next year will be held on the third weekend of July as well,” Parr said.