JOIN US FOR Hudson’s annual RiverFest celebration on July 19 – 23, 2022 with a range of activities designed to encourage people of all ages to enjoy the Lower St. Croix River and all that it provides.  Several local organizations and individuals have collaborated to make “RiverFest – A Party with a Purpose” a success.  The four-day event celebrates the river while also recognizing the need to preserve its health and beauty.

Schedule:

July 18 - 22, 2022

11 am – 3 pm: St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street

St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration is an amazing class for students who love the St. Croix River, science, and art. Participate in RiverFest programs, paddle a kayak and, using trash from the river, transform the seven-foot tall RiverFest mascot, Scrappy the Splashing Bass!

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

10 – 11:30am: Hudson and North Hudson River Clean-up

Location: Lakefront Park Bandshell

The river clean-up is a core activity of the Hudson RiverFest. Community volunteers get out on the riverbank collecting trash and working to help clean-up the river (trash bags will be provided). While the goal of RiverFest is to get people out to enjoy the river, the river clean-up is the “purpose” for the celebration.

Families and individuals are encouraged to join the clean-up. Participants are reminded to observe current social distancing guidelines during the clean-up. Please view the River Clean-up Guidelines for instructions and details.

Please contact Buck Malick at 715-386-7010 or [email protected] to pre-register and receive your cleanup locations.

Meet at the Bandshell for the Lakefront Park area clean-up. View a map of clean-up locations.

Drop off  the trash collected during the river clean-up from 11 am to 1 pm at Picnic Point (south end of Lakefront Park).

Following the clean-up, RiverFest will host a picnic lunch for the clean-up volunteers at Picnic Point (south end of Lakefront Park).

11 am – 3 pm: St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street

St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration is an amazing class for students who love the St. Croix River, science, and art. Participate in RiverFest programs, paddle a kayak and, using trash from the river, transform the seven-foot tall RiverFest mascot, Scrappy the Splashing Bass!

11 am – 3 pm: Refashioning Scrappy

Dates: 7/19 – 7/21

Location: Lakefront Park, Picnic Point (south end of the park)

You are invited to watch as students from The Phipps’ River Deluxe Exploration art and science class work to transform the trash collected during the river clean-up to create a new “skin” for Scrappy, the RiverFest mascot.

RiverFest Recycling Basics Video
Airtime: Available anytime
Video Link: View on YouTube
Buck Malick from the RiverFest Committee and Kris Poston, St. Croix County Recycling Specialist, will discuss how to separate litter collected during the clean-up into recyclables or trash. Kris  will explain what to, and how to, recycle the different items collected.

10:30 am  – 11:30 pm: Carpenter Nature Center presents Animals of the St. Croix Valley

Location: Weitkamp Park, 648 O’Neil Road

The Hudson Area Public Library hosts Animals of the St. Croix River Valley presented by Carpenter Nature Center (CNC). Meet live animal ambassadors, including frogs, turtles, snakes and a bird of prey. Learn about their amazing adaptations and what you can do to help protect them in the wild.

CNC is an environmental education and conservation organization with the mission of fostering appreciation and inspiring stewardship of the natural world. With campuses on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the St. Croix River, CNC is able to preserve wildlife habitat while also providing quality educational opportunities.

11:30 am  – 12:30 pm: Carpenter Nature Center presents Reptiles and Amphibians

Location: Lakefront Park, Picnic Point (south end of the park)

Join Carpenter Nature Center (CNC) staff to learn about cold-blooded creatures, how they’re similar and different, and how native species are uniquely adapted to the habitats and climate of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

CNC is an environmental education and conservation organization with the mission of fostering appreciation and inspiring stewardship of the natural world. With campuses on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the St. Croix River, CNC is able to preserve wildlife habitat while also providing quality educational opportunities.

This program will be held at Picnic Point which is at the south end of Lakefront Park.

6:30pm: (SOLD OUT!) Foraging Walk at Bluebird Hill Homestead

Location: Bluebird Hill Homestead, 456 Old E East, Hudson

The Hudson Grocery Co-op presents a Foraging Walk lead by local forager Russ Lake at Bluebird Hill Homestead. Join Russ for an evening walk to connect with nature and lean about the variety of edible plants growing on the homestead property, as well as in your own backyard.

This is a FREE event, but space is limited, and reservations required on Eventbrite.

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

11 am – 3 pm: Refashioning Scrappy

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street (north side of the building)

You are invited to watch as students from The Phipps’ River Deluxe Exploration art and science class work to transform the trash collected during the river clean-up to create a new “skin” for Scrappy, the RiverFest mascot.

6:30 – 7:30 pm: TooniesTricia and the Toonies ENVIRO-FUN Puppets

Location: Lakefront Park Bandshell

The Toonies will bring together viewers of all ages in environmental awareness, teamwork and fun. Learn about the many ways of reducing the amount of trash we generate and to rethink, reuse, recycle!

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs and settle in to enjoy the show. Please remember to observe current social distancing guidelines during the show.

In the event of rain, the concert will be moved to the Hudson Area Library at 700 1st Street.

Listen to the RiverFest song created by Tricia Haynes.

View the lyrics to the RiverFest, It’s the Best! song.

11 am – 3 pm: St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street

St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration is an amazing class for students who love the St. Croix River, science, and art. Participate in RiverFest programs, paddle a kayak and, using trash from the river, transform the seven-foot tall RiverFest mascot, Scrappy the Splashing Bass!

Thursday, July 21, 2022

11 am – 3 pm: Refashioning Scrappy

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street (north side of the building)

You are invited to watch as students from The Phipps’ River Deluxe Exploration art and science class work to transform the trash collected during the river clean-up to create a new “skin” for Scrappy, the RiverFest mascot.

11 am – 3 pm: St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street

St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration is an amazing class for students who love the St. Croix River, science, and art. Participate in RiverFest programs, paddle a kayak and, using trash from the river, transform the seven-foot tall RiverFest mascot, Scrappy the Splashing Bass!

6 pm: RiverFest Partner Display Booths

Location: Lakefront Park Bandshell

Come down to Lakefront Park EARLY to spend time at the Non-profit displays. RiverFest partner organizations and other non-profits groups will have booths with information, activities, and demonstrations before and during the concert.

7:00pm - 8:15pm: St. Croix Valley Community Band Concert

Location: Lakefront Park Bandshell

The St. Croix Valley Community Band with conductors Jim Root, Elaine Baumann, Connie Root and more, is a popular RiverFest event. Celebrating community and the scenic St. Croix River, there will be something for people of all ages including:

- The RiverFest theme song will be played for a sing-along (view lyrics here)
- Marching segment available for children in the audience
- Dance your way with polkas and waltz features
- Music by Glenn Miller, John Phillip Sousa, John Williams, just to name a few of the composers.
- 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.

Please note in the event of rain, the concert will be moved to the Bethel Lutheran Downtown Church at 920 3rd Street in Hudson.

If the weather is stormy, please check here before the concert for any location updates.

See the RiverFest mascot Scrappy on display! Created by sculptor Mary Johnson, the splashing bass figure is metal armature. Each year students from the Phipps Center for the Arts “Just Add Water” art and science class help complete the sculpture by processing and re-purposing the litter collected in Hudson during the river cleanup to create a new “skin” for Scrappy.

Friday, July 22, 2022

11 am – 3 pm: Refashioning Scrappy

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street (north side of the building)

You are invited to watch as students from The Phipps’ River Deluxe Exploration art and science class work to transform the trash collected during the river clean-up to create a new “skin” for Scrappy, the RiverFest mascot.

11 am – 3 pm: St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street

St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration is an amazing class for students who love the St. Croix River, science, and art. Participate in RiverFest programs, paddle a kayak and, using trash from the river, transform the seven-foot tall RiverFest mascot, Scrappy the Splashing Bass!

7 – 8 pm: Evening Prairie Hike

Location: Carpenter Nature Center Wisconsin Campus, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson

View a Map

Join Jennifer Vieth, Director of Carpenter Nature Center, for an evening hike through the prairie. We’ll be looking for blooming forbs and grasses as well as listening and looking for birds. This also includes plant, insect and bird identification.

There will be door prizes. Field guides and binoculars will be available to use, or you may bring your own if you have them.

Be one of the first to attend an event at the NEW Al and Laurie Hein Visitor Center.

This is a FREE event but space is limited and reservations are required, so call CNC at 651-437-4359.

Saturday, July 23, 2022

9:00 am (leaves at 9 am sharp!): Discover the Willow 6-Mile Hike

Location: Meet at the Willow River Nature Center Willow River State Park, 1034 County Road A, Hudson

Join the naturalist on a 6-mile round trip hike and discover some of the most beautiful sights at Willow River State Park. This hike will take you along the Willow River, above Little Falls Lake and up close and personal to the Willow Falls. Along the way, we’ll venture through a variety of habitats including wetlands, prairie, river bottoms, and mature deciduous and coniferous forests. The terrain varies throughout the hike and includes very steep hills.

The hike will take roughly 2 ½ -3 hours to complete. Please dress for the weather and bring along, water, good hiking boots, binoculars, a camera and a snack if you wish.

This event is free to attend but vehicle admission into the park is required. All outdoor events are weather dependent.

For more information, please call 715-386-9340 or email [email protected]. View this event on Facebook.

1 – 4 pm: Native American Celebration

Location: Lakefront Park Bandshell

Gather by the river for a Native American Cultural Celebration with dancing, singing and drums and more!

St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin with the TRAILS Dance Troupe  
- Featuring Men’s Traditional with head dancer Brandon Geshick: Fancy and Grass
- Women’s Traditional: Fancy and Jingle and more!

Native Pride Dancers An internationally known high-energy dance troupe featuring an innovative blend of contemporary and traditional Native American dance styles. Colorful regalia, pulsating drumming and fancy footwork plus information about the dances creates a moving artistic experience.

Native American art and crafts.

Native American food for sale by Lisa Mosay family.

5 -6:30 pm: The Longer Table Picnic

Location: Lakefront Park

It is with a spirit of inclusion that the Hudson Inclusion Alliance will host a Longer Table Picnic during RiveFest. It’s a simple yet powerful idea. Sharing a meal on one continuous and symbolic dinner table. This is a chance to build meaningful connections with Hudson residents with whom you might not otherwise cross paths and make new friends!

Bring lawn chairs or blanket and your own picnic meal as we gather around a symbolic “longer table”.

Native American food by the Lisa Mosay family will be available for sale (while supplies last). Order takeout from one of the great downtown restaurants or bring your own picnic basket from home. Enjoy the picnic and meet your Hudson neighbors.

There isn’t a cost to attend but we do ask that you register in advance so that you have your seat at the table. Please register on Eventbrite.

6:30pm: RiverFest: Honor the River

Location: Lakefront Park Bandshell

RiverFest concludes with a performance by Native Pride Dancers and a special appearance of Hmong singer Pang Her Vang. Including a presentation by the Hudson Inclusion Alliance and more!

A special thank you to all of the RiverFest volunteers, sponsors and partners who make RiverFest possible.

Date: July 19 - 23, 2022

Location: Various Venues in Hudson, WI 54016.

Click Here for More Information