ROCK ISLAND -- John P. Looney, the Rock Island native whose 1920s notoriety made him a legend, will be the focus of Thursday's opening day of Rock Island Summerfest 2002.

The three-day festival offers live music on two stages, food, a carnival, book signings, a movie-memorabilia auction, antique market, kids' art and games, chess competition and historic trolley tours.

Summerfest brings not only fun to the Great River Plaza in The District but reflects cooperation among nonprofit organizations who host the annual festival to raise money to support their community-based activities.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

Admission is free Thursday and until 7:30 p.m. Friday, when it becomes $3. On Saturday, admission is $2 from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. After that, it costs $3 to enter. Children 12 and younger are free with a paid adult.

Mr. Looney's exploits take the spotlight Thursday to mark Friday's opening of ``Road to Perdition,'' a movie loosely based on his life. Stars include Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law.

Local author Max A. Collins will autograph copies of his book, ``Road to Perdition,'' from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Midwest Writing Center, 1629 2nd Ave. He also will sell and autograph copies of ``Windtalkers'' and his latest Nate Heller novel, ``Chicago Confidential.''

Mr. Collins will host a question and answer session about taking the Looney legend from fact to fiction to film. You can question him from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Quad City Arts Center, 1715 2nd Ave.

Mr. Looney's legend is the subject of historic trolley tours from 6 to 9 p.m., which will include the home and other sites the vice lord frequented. Trolleys leave every half hour from 17th Street and 2nd Avenue. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for children age 12 and younger.

Mayor Mark Schwiebert will conduct Summerfest's opening ceremonies in 1920s style at 7 p.m. on the west stage. Dancers from the City Center School of the Arts will perform dances of the era, and WHBF-TV4 anchors Ed Heiland and Andrea Zinga will wear period costumes. Four local police officers are expected to walk the plaza from 6 to 9 p.m. wearing 1920s police uniforms.

At 7:30 p.m., Midwest Writing Center will auction memorabilia from the making of ``Road to Perdition,'' including posters, promotion packets, photographs, movie-crew gear, the script and related books and materials. Proceeds from the auction and T-shirts featuring the original Pinkerton Detective Agency's Wanted posters of Mr. Looney will benefit Midwest Writing Center.

Mr. Collins will autograph books again from 8 to 9 p.m. in a tent on 18th Street.

Also new this year will be free chess competition each day in Arts Alley from opening time through dusk. The Illowa Chess Club will set up chessboards and invite the public to beat club members. The names of those who win or tie will be entered in a drawing for a chess set.

Thursday is WHBF Family Fun Day, when no admission is charged and unlimited carnival rides are $10 from 4 p.m. to closing. Kids can enjoy activities in Arts Alley, including Head Start's make-and-take and face painting, the Quad City River Bandits Speed Pitch inflatable and Quad City Steam Wheelers inflatable football field.

On Thursday, the City Center School of the Arts will feature dance performances, toe-shoe signing and free dance workshops on 18th Street.

The Star Amusements carnival will operate during all event hours. Tickets are 50 cents apiece, and each ride requires two to four tickets.

On Saturday, the antique market is open from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Vendors from across the regional will sell affordable antiques and collectibles from booths along 18th Street. Melting Pot Productions is organizing the market.

Besides the city, Summerfest sponsors include WHBF-TV4, Rock Valley Beverage, The Dispatch, The Rock Island Argus, B100, 97X, 93 Rock and the Rock Island Brewing Co.

The event is organized by the Rock Island Summer Festival Corp. comprised of local, nonprofit organizations with participants in the city. The surplus funds of the organization are used for physical improvements on the Great River Plaza.

For more information, access whbf.com.