HUDSON – RiverFest, a “Party with a Purpose” is off to a good start with Tuesday’s River Cleanup. The cleanup is the purpose behind the RiverFest celebration, to build awareness of the St. Croix River and the need to preserve its health and beauty.  

Come down to the river July 18 for the concert with the St. Croix Valley Community Band, with a variety of uplifting music shared by local musicians. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Hudson Lakefront Park Bandshell and features Song for the River Croix, composed by Laurie Allmann and Carol Caoutte in 2009. It was scored for the band by Kris Tjornehoj in 2014, when it was first performed for RiverFest. Stop by for the RiverFest partner display booths before and during the concert, starting at 6 p.m. 

Saturday, July 20 is the RiverFest Native American Celebration from 1-4 p.m. at the Lakefront Park Bandshell. Gather by the river for a cultural celebration. The program begins with Iron Mound Singers and Dancers from the Ho-Chunk Nation, followed by the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin with dancing, singing and drums. There will be Native American food available for sale by the Lisa Mosay family. 

Also, on Saturday there is a class called Indigenous Culinary Traditions: Cooking with Anne Thundercloud at 1 p.m. at Grand Fête. Thundercloud is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and an apprentice chef with Wild Bearies, Madison, Wis. In the evening from 4-5 p.m. join a meet and greet with Thundercloud at the Black Rooster Bistro. She will share how they are connecting community through indigenous cuisine—striving to bring ancestral foods to communities in a nurturing and nourishing way. Visit Black Rooster Bistro for an indigenous based menu item Thursday, July 18 through Sunday, July 21 (while supplies last). 

For a complete schedule of events, visit StCroixRiverFest.org or look for St. Croix RiverFest on Facebook. 

Submitted by St. Croix River Fest