MONTICELLO — Here’s a rundown of everything happening during the 48th annual Riverfest, including pre-festivities, with myriad activities, events and cherished traditions taking place from Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, July 14.
THURSDAY
Get free food at Block Party
Start your Riverfest celebrations early with a Block Party at the Monticello Community Center on Thursday, July 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The free event will take place on the south side of the community center, located at 502 Walnut St., near the Senior Center entrance.
All are welcome to the annual Block Party, which will feature a free lunch, including a beverage and dessert.
The Block Party is sponsored by the City of Monticello, Monticello Parks, Arts & Recreation, Monticello Senior Center, Monticello National Guard and the Monticello Times.
Before Riverfest, visit Party in the Park
Party in the Park, the unofficial kick-off to Riverfest, is returning to Ellison Park for another year of fun and games.
The Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Industry is hosting its annual Party in the Park from 5 to 8 p.m. also on Thursday at Ellison Park, located along the Mississippi River, at 913 E. River St.
Party in the Park offers entertaining and affordable family fun. A $5 wristband can be purchased to play unlimited Party in the Park games.
In addition to children’s games, visitors to Party in the Park will find mouthwatering treats to eat along with a beer tent sponsored by the VFW offering brews to wash it all down.
Family activities will include free rides on the Harold Express train, along with bouncy houses provided by The Bouncy House Guy.
During the popular frozen T-shirt contest, contenders will try to thaw out a frozen shirt in record time, with prizes awaiting the winner.
In addition, Monticello’s nonprofit organizations will be on hand to share information about the services they offer throughout the community.
Event sponsors include TDS, the VFW, All Elements roofing, Kwik Trip and The Bouncy House Guy.
For more information about the Chamber’s Party in the Park, check out the Chamber website at www.monticellocci.com.
FRIDAY
Pioneer Park plays host to Family Fun Night Friday
When Riverfest kicks off Friday evening with Family Fun Night at Pioneer Park, it will be the ultimate family celebration.
From 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 12, hundreds of families will venture to Pioneer Park, located at 9350 Fallon Ave., along School Boulevard across from Little Mountain Elementary School.
The annual Family Fun Night, held in one of Monticello’s most beautiful parks, offers messy-but-delicious food, games, a petting zoo, classic cars, a pie-eating contest, and more, making it a perfect way to start your Riverfest weekend.
One of the highlights is the annual pie-eating contest, which pits community members against each other in what might be the messiest event of the entire three-day Riverfest celebration.
This crowd favorite begins at 6 p.m., and winners will walk away with the traveling trophy and a powerful sense of accomplishment.
Another Family Fun Night staple is the classic car show, which attracts car enthusiasts from across the region. With classic, collector, custom and unique vehicles displayed on the park’s west end, there will be plenty of hot wheels to admire. It’s not just cars though, as there will be trucks, tractors, and motorcycles revving up as well.
For the little ones, the Home Depot Kids Building Clinic is returning to Riverfest again this year, letting youths be builders and creators. Each child can hone his or her carpentry skills, building a small wooden project to assemble and take home.
Other fun for the wee ones will include a free petting zoo full of cute furry friends, pony rides for purchase, bouncy houses and face painting. Kids can get a temporary tattoo, too.
There will also be a Kids Games play area set up on the west side of the Pioneer Park pavilion.
At 7 p.m, the Wright County Sheriff’s Department will display training and teamwork in their K-9 Demonstration Show.
Radio station KRWC-AM 1360 will be broadcasting live from Pioneer Park as part of the station’s Roadshow, providing entertaining games and contests.
If all of that hoopla has made you hungry, you’ll want to grab some extra napkins, as sloppy Joes and hot dogs are the traditional Riverfest fare served at the pavilion. For a sweet ending, snow cones and root beer floats will also be available for purchase.
Friday features fireworks, Riverfest Talent Showcase
Fireworks will light up the sky and talent will light up the stage during Riverfest on Friday as well.
The annual Riverfest Talent Showcase is one of the highlights of the festival on Friday. The talent show is held in the Monticello High School Auditorium and features instrumental, vocal, dance, comedy, piano, and drama performed by individuals, groups, senior citizens, adults and students.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. General admission is $3; while children 5 and under are free.
New this year is a Talent Showcase gallery exhibit that will start at 6 p.m. at the high school’s Main Street. It will feature visual art displays.
Following the talent show at dusk is the annual Riverfest fireworks show. Fireworks will be set off between Eastview Education Center and Monticello High School. Parking is available at the high school and Eastview, as well as Resurrection Lutheran Church, located at 9300 Jason Ave. NE.
Spectators can sit south of the softball fields. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. No spectators will be allowed in the football or track facilities.
SATURDAY
Races, Art in the Park, Taste of Monticello, Duck Splash and more
Monticello’s Riverfest hits its stride on Saturday, July 13, with festivities from sunup to sundown. Start your day at the Riverfest races, head to Art in the Park, sample everything delicious at Taste of Monticello, check out the bean bag tournament, cheer on the ducks and rock the night away at the street dance.
The day opens with two morning races — a 1-mile course and a 5K. The races begin at West Bridge Park with the 1-miler, starting at 8 a.m., and the 5K, starting at 8:30 a.m. Spectators can cheer on runners along West River Street. Registration for either race can be done online at https://runsignup.com/Race/MN/Monticello/Riverfest1Mile5k.
Next up, grab a bite, enjoy live music and appreciate amazing artists and creators. The Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Industry is once again hosting its Art in the Park and Taste of Monticello events in Ellison Park on East River Street.
Art in the Park, a juried art and fine craft show, will be held outdoors, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual show is popular with regional artists and includes arts and crafts in wood, jewelry, pottery/ceramics, apparel/textiles, photography, painting/drawing, metal, glass, musical, bath, gourmet food and more.
Running in conjunction with Art in the Park is the annual Taste of Monticello, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in which attendees can enjoy live music and the best dishes from area restaurants and caterers.
For more information on this year’s Art in the Park and Taste of Monticello festivities, visit the Chamber of Commerce & Industry website: http://www.monticellocci.com.
Another fun tradition Saturday is the annual Riverfest Beanbag Tournament, also in Ellison Park, starting at 10 a.m. Bean bag tossers of all skill levels can claim prizes and bragging rights in this light-hearted cornhole competition. As many as 64 teams, consisting of two players and an alternate, will be battling it out for the chance to win the grand prize. To sign up and reserve a spot, reach out to Scott Maus at maushouse@live.com.
Traditionally, Saturday is also when the annual Riverfest Duck Race takes place. But this year’s event will be a bit different. The event is normally held on the Mississippi River, with ducks released from the Highway 25 bridge, floating downstream to Ellison Park.
However, due to high waters on the river and construction work on the bridge, the event will now be held at the Monticello Community Center Pool and will be dubbed the “Duck Splash” instead.
The three current Monticello Royal Ambassadors will be sliding down into the pool filled with all 5,000 little yellow plastic ducks at 4:30 p.m. Spectators can view the event through the glass windows by the pool from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
Once the Splash has been completed, ducks will be selected by the Ambassadors and registered poolside by a committee representative. The winners will be announced at the Saturday night dance, and posted on the Riverfest website.
Wrap up the day with music, dancing and food with family, friends and the entire community behind the Monticello Community Center at the annual Street Dance from 5 to 11 p.m.
Minnesota singer-songwriter Betty Danger will be the opening act at 5 p.m., while headliner Raised on Radio will take the stage at 8 p.m., entertaining with a playlist of rock and country favorites. Food and beverages will be available.
SUNDAY
Parade, worship, Sunday Funday close out Riverfest
Sunday wraps up Riverfest with community worship, an entertaining candy-filled parade, Sunday Funday festivities, Citizen of the Year recognition and the crowning of Monticello’s Royal Ambassadors.
Enjoy music and an uplifting message at Riverfest’s annual Worship Service at 9 a.m., behind the Monticello Community Center. All are welcome to the community worship service, but you’ll need to bring your own chairs on blankets to sit on.
Get ready to say “Yeehaw!” One of the biggest events of Riverfest is the annual parade, a classic Sunday tradition that begins at noon. The 2024 Western-themed parade will be a rip-roaring good time, so bring your lawn chair and show off your parade wave.
Featuring bands, royalty, community groups and lots of candy, the parade starts on 3rd Street at the Monticello American Legion Club and heads East to Walnut Street. Then it will take a right on Walnut Street and head South until 6th Street. The Parade takes a right on 6th Street and heads West to Minnesota Street where it turns South and ends on 7th Street.
Head to the Monticello Community Center west parking lot after the parade for Sunday Funday food and activities.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., during Sunday Funday, the area behind the MCC will offer a festive scene with live music, food trucks, bingo and a pop-up splash pad.
This is also when ceremonies will be held for Citizen of the Year and Monticello’s Royal Ambassadors. The 2023 Citizen of the Year presentation will be held at 3 p.m., with the Royal Ambassador Coronation immediately following.
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