HUDSON – RiverFest, a “Party with a Purpose,” invites you to join the celebration of the St. Croix River on July 18-22 in Hudson. While the goal of RiverFest is to get people out to enjoy the river, the purpose for the celebration is to build awareness of the river, our environment and the need to preserve our water quality.

One highlight of RiverFest that always draws a crowd is the St. Croix Valley Community Band Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 20 at the Hudson Bandshell with director Kris Tjornehoj. The concert celebrates community and the scenic St. Croix River with something for people of all ages. You won’t want to miss this fun-filled family evening! Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs and settle in to enjoy the show.

RiverFest would not be possible without the support of our event sponsor Nor-Lake, and many other local sponsors, as well as various partner organizations who collaborate to make RiverFest a success. There will be partner and sponsor display booths with information and demonstrations before and during the concert, starting at 6 p.m. There will be entertainment for the kids by The Bubbler, Steve Russell, with a display of giant bubbles.

This five-day event has an assortment of activities planned for people to enjoy, starting on Tuesday, July 18 with the annual River Clean-up at 10 a.m., Carpenter Nature Center animals at 11:30 a.m., the Toonies ENVIRO-FUN Puppets at the bandshell at 7 p.m. followed by a free family-friendly movie “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at 9:20 p.m. 

On Wednesday, July 19, get out on the river with a St. Croix River Cruise and fajita dinner. An evening Foraging Walk will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21.

Carpenter Nature Center’s Wisconsin Campus will host a Bioblitz. It starts at 3 p.m. Friday, July 21 with a variety of programs and hikes that run through noon on Saturday. Saturday, July 22 there is the Native American Celebration from 1-4 p.m. followed by a speaker presentation “Indigenous Scars: Wisconsin Massacre & Boarding Schools” at 5:30 p.m.

Find a complete schedule and event details at StCroixRiverFest.org or look for St. Croix RiverFest on Facebook or Eventbrite.

Submitted by Jacki Bradham