MONTICELLO — It’s shaping up to be a banner year for the 48th annual Riverfest, with plenty of hot summer sun — and loads of fun — in the forecast.
The three-day celebration kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday, with temperatures expected to be in the high 80s to low 90s each day.
Friday kickoff
The festivities will begin Friday during Family Fun Night at Pioneer Park from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
For children, there will be plenty of four-legged friends to meet, with pony rides and a free petting zoo; the Home Depot Kids Building Clinic; along with bounce houses, a games area, face painting and temporary tattoos.
Community leaders will get a face full of whipped cream at the annual pie-eating contest at 6 p.m., while hungry attendees can chow down on sloppy joes, hot dogs, snowcones and root beer floats.
One of the highlights of Friday’s event is the classic car show, known for being one of the biggest and best in the region. Trucks, tractors and motorcycles will be revving up as well at the park’s west end.
In addition, at 7 p.m, the Wright County Sheriff’s Department will display training and teamwork in their K-9 Demonstration Show.
Also on Friday, the community talent show will take the stage at the Monticello High School Performing Arts Center. 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, featuring visual art displays.
The talent show will be followed by the Riverfest fireworks display, starting at dusk. The fireworks are shot off between Eastview Education Center and Monticello High School.
Spectators can sit south of the softball fields. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and snacks.
Saturday’s schedule
Saturday 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.
After the runs, all attention turns to Ellison Park, for the Monticello Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Art in the Park and Taste of Monticello events, to be held rain or shine.
Art in the Park, a juried art and fine craft show with myriad vendors will go from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; while the Taste of Monticello will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering live music and the best dishes from area restaurants and caterers.
Also at Ellison Saturday is another fun tradition, the annual Riverfest Beanbag Tournament, 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.
As part of Riverfest, the Monticello Fire Department will hold an Open House from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Monticello Fire Station on Chelsea Road. Meet firefighters and other public safety personnel, explore the fleet of trucks and grab a bite from a food truck at this annual free, fun-filled family event.
Traditionally, Saturday is also when the annual Riverfest Duck Race takes place. But this year’s event will be a bit different due to high waters on the river and construction work on the bridge.
The event, now dubbed the “Duck Splash,” will be held at the Monticello Community Center, with the three current Monticello Royal Ambassadors 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.
On Saturday night, the Riverfest Street Dance will have folks rockin’ and rollin’ behind the Monticello Community Center 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.
Sunday celebrations
On Sunday, bring your own chairs to the annual Community Worship service, which will be held at 9 a.m. behind the MCC, followed at noon by one of the coolest parades in the region.
The Riverfest Parade can be best viewed on Third Street, Walnut Street and Sixth Street.
Following the parade, the festivities will continue during Sunday Funday. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the area behind the MCC will offer an entertaining scene with live music, a beer garden, food trucks, bingo, kids activities and a pop-up splash pad. Bounce houses and inflatables will also be available with ticketed entry.
This is also when ceremonies will be held for Citizen of the Year and Monticello’s Royal Ambassadors.
The 2024 Citizen of the Year presentation, featuring honoree Dickrell, will be held at 3 p.m., with the Royal Ambassador Coronation immediately following.
For more information, visit the Riverfest website at http://monticelloriverfest.com.
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