Somebody will have a winning hand on Saturday, May 17 in Columbia, Louisiana as the 11th Annual Riverboat Festival kicks off along the banks of the Ouachita River.

In the early days of steamboats along the Ouachita in Louisiana, no doubt passengers played games of chance as they traveled along the gently flowing waters of the river. On May 17, everyone will have the chance to join in the fun as a unique game will begin.

The family-oriented Poker Run on the River starts at the Main Street Dock and will continue from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be no limit to "hands" on the boat, but participants will pay $5 per hand they wish to play. Everyone with a boat is invited to join in the game.

"There will be check points along the river," explained Kay LaFrance, Manager of the Main Street Project in Columbia. "At each stop, the players receive a card. At the end of the route, the best hand wins."

Prizes will be $75, $50 and $25. The ride is 16 miles long and takes about 45 minutes.

At 9 a.m. Caldwell Bank's Antique Car Show will begin. This year's theme is "Cruising Down Memory Lane."

At 11 a.m., Todd C. Martin of Monroe will perform his award winning "Tribute to Elvis." Martin is a 4-time finalist in the world championship competition at the Images of the King contest in Memphis, Tennessee and was named the "Grand Champion of the 2002 "All Shook Up" contest in Branson, Missouri. He has performed around the world, including engagements at the Playboy Casino and the Hilton Hotel in Rhodes, Greece.

At 12 noon, the Southern Jewel Cloggers will dance. At 1 p.m. the Bluegrass Stringbenders perform, the Mike McKenzie Band will play at 2 and 4 p.m. and Soldiers of the Cross will sing at 3 p.m.

The grand finale of the day is the ever popular Rubber Duck Race beginning at 5 p.m. Hundreds of small rubber ducks will be dropped from the Ouachita bridge. The first one to cross the finish line wins the prize.

"Anyone can take part in the race by purchasing one or more of the rubber ducks for $1 each at local merchants," explained LaFrance.

All during the day's festivities, visitors can enjoy the food booths lining the streets as well as arts and craft booths. For the children there will be a carnival, also.

Admission to the festival will be $2 for adults and $1 for 12 and under.

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