JOIN US FOR Hudson’s annual RiverFest celebration on July 18 – 22, 2023 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 five-day event celebrates the river while also recognizing the need to preserve its health and beauty.

Hudson’s St. Croix RiverFest was born out of the Wild Rivers Conservancy’s (formerly named the St. Croix River Association) River Awareness Week and with a goal building awareness of the St. Croix River.  RiverFest encourages people to enjoy, understand and preserve this national treasure that flows right past our community in Hudson, Wisconsin.

This year’s activities are planned to appeal to a variety of people and share a common thread of building awareness of the river, our environment and education on the need to preserve our water quality.

Schedule:

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

10:00am - 11:30pm: Hudson & North Hudson River Clean-up

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.

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

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

Drop off the trash collected during the river clean-up from 11am to 1pm 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).

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson's Lakefront Park Bandshell 505 1st St, Hudson, WI, United States

11:00am - 3:00pm: St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration

River Deluxe Exploration is an amazing class with instructor: Liz Malanaphy, for students who love the St. Croix River, science and art. Participate in RiverFest programs, paddle a kayak, and use trash from the river to transform the seven-foot tall RiverFest mascot, “Scrappy the splashing Bass!”

For ages 8-14. Bring a sack lunch each day. Class fee $209 (including kayak rental). For registration call 715-386-2305 or visit https://thephipps.org/education/summer-camps.

Cost: $209

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts 109 Locust St, Hudson, United States

11:30am - 12:30pm: Carpenter Nature Center’s Animals of the St. Croix

Join Carpenter Nature Center (CNC) staff to learn about some of the amazing animals that call the St. Croix River Valley their home and meet them up close!

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.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson's Lakfront Park - Picnic Point 18 Buckeye Street, Hudson, WI, United States

12:30pm - 3:00pm: Refashioning Scrappy

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.

Cost: Free

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts 109 Locust St, Hudson, United States

7:00pm - 8:00pm: Tricia & the Toonies ENVIRO-FUN Puppets

Tricia & 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.

Listen to the RiverFest song created by Tricia Haynes or view the lyrics to the RiverFest, It’s the Best! song.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson's Lakefront Park Bandshell 505 1st St, Hudson, WI, United States

9:20pm: RiverFest Family Movie Night

Families are invited to enjoy the FREE family-friendly movie “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at the Lakefront Park. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs and watch the movie under the stars. We will have kid-friendly pre-movie activities from 8-9:20pm, including yard games, the Lakefront Park Tree Trek and partner booths with fun and games. Bring a picnic supper or food will be available for sale at the St. Croix Snack Shack at the beach house.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson's Lakefront Park Bandshell 505 1st St, Hudson, WI, United States

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

9:30am - 10:30am: Quack-tastic Outdoor Storytime

Join Miss Sara, from the Hudson Area Public Library to learn about ducks! After storytime, there will be treats, bubbles, hula hoops and more.

Cost: Free

Location: Williams Park 931 Laurel Ave, Hudson, WI, United States

11:00am - 3:00pm: St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration

River Deluxe Exploration is an amazing class with instructor: Liz Malanaphy, for students who love the St. Croix River, science and art. Participate in RiverFest programs, paddle a kayak, and use trash from the river to transform the seven-foot tall RiverFest mascot, “Scrappy the splashing Bass!”

For ages 8-14. Bring a sack lunch each day. Class fee $209 (including kayak rental). For registration call 715-386-2305 or visit https://thephipps.org/education/summer-camps.

Cost: $209

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts 109 Locust St, Hudson, United States

11:00am - 3:00pm: Refashioning Scrappy

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.

Cost: Free

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts 109 Locust St, Hudson, United States

6:15pm - 8:30pm: Minnesota & Wisconsin National Scenic Riverway Tour

Take a boat cruise of the scenic St. Croix River Valley and enjoy a fajita dinner. Presentations about our National Treasure, the St. Croix River, and remarks from leaders representing Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Wisconsin Gov. Evers and Minnesota Gov. Walz have been invited, as have Natural Resources, Tourism and National Park Service Department Heads.

Enjoy the tasty build your own Fajitas and special 2 for 1 Margaritas along with a full cash bar.

Boarding starts 45 minutes before the start of your trip. The boat leaves at 6:15pm sharp

Cost: $46.69

Location: St. Croix River Cruises 98 Walnut Street, Hudson, WI, United States

Thursday, July 20, 2023

11:00am - 3:00pm: St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration

River Deluxe Exploration is an amazing class with instructor: Liz Malanaphy, for students who love the St. Croix River, science and art. Participate in RiverFest programs, paddle a kayak, and use trash from the river to transform the seven-foot tall RiverFest mascot, “Scrappy the splashing Bass!”

For ages 8-14. Bring a sack lunch each day. Class fee $209 (including kayak rental). For registration call 715-386-2305 or visit https://thephipps.org/education/summer-camps.

Cost: $209

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts 109 Locust St, Hudson, United States

11:00am - 3:00pm: Refashioning Scrappy

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.

Cost: Free

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts 109 Locust St, Hudson, United States

6:00pm - 8:00pm: RiverFest Partner Display Booths

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.

The kids will enjoy entertainment by The Bubbler, Steve Russell, with a display of giant bubbles at the pre-concert display booths starting at 6 pm.

Cost: Free

7:00pm: St. Croix Valley Community Band Concert

The St. Croix Valley Community Band is a popular RiverFest event. Celebrating community and the scenic St. Croix River; there will be something for people of all ages including:

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.

The RiverFest theme song will be played for a sing-along. View the lyrics to the RiverFest, It’s the Best! song.

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.

Location: Hudson's Lakefront Park Bandshell 505 1st St, Hudson, WI, United States

Friday, July 21, 2023

10:00am - 6:00pm: Make & Take Crafts at the Library

DIY Bird Feeders or Water Clocks - make them with friends at the library or take the materials home.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson Area Public Library 700 1st St, Hudson, WI, United States

11:00am - 3:00pm: St. Croix RiverFest: River Deluxe Exploration

River Deluxe Exploration is an amazing class with instructor: Liz Malanaphy, for students who love the St. Croix River, science and art. Participate in RiverFest programs, paddle a kayak, and use trash from the river to transform the seven-foot tall RiverFest mascot, “Scrappy the splashing Bass!”

For ages 8-14. Bring a sack lunch each day. Class fee $209 (including kayak rental). For registration call 715-386-2305 or visit https://thephipps.org/education/summer-camps.

Cost: $209

Location: The Phipps Center for the Arts 109 Locust St, Hudson, United States

3:00pm - 10:00pm: CNC – Wisconsin Campus Bioblitz

Visitors can sign up to learn about moths, birds and other plants and animals found at Carpenter Nature Center’s Wisconsin Campus. Learn from bird, invertebrate, reptile, amphibian, and plant experts in a fun day of citizen science. Come to the Wisconsin Campus and join inventory teams in restored prairies, riparian habitats, and wooded bluff lands to discover and document plant and animal species. All ages are welcome at this FREE program.

Surveyors will hike the woods, prairies and oak savannahs of CNC’s Wisconsin Campus and report their findings to our Bioblitz HQ at the Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center at 279 S. Cove Road, Hudson.

To sign up for a specific program or hike register by calling Jen  at 651-437-4359 (ext. 108) or Abbey at 651-437-4359 (ext. 118).

Plans are underway but here is a peek some of the programs:

3pm: Dragonflies and Damselflies with Jeff Fischer - This program will be indoors, before heading outdoors at 4pm to catch, identify and release dragonflies and damselflies.
3pm:  Citizen Science tools and i-Naturalist
6pm: Plant & Bird Hike
8pm: Moths with Dr. Kevyn Juneau

This program will start with an introduction indoors, then the group will head outside to trap, identify and release moths.

Cost: Free

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

6:30pm: Foraging Walk at Bluebird Hill Homestead

Hudson Grocery Co-op presents a Foraging Walk lead by local forager Russ Lake at Bluebird Hill Homestead. Join us 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 event is most appropriate for adults/teens. Because space is limited, we ask that children not attend this event.

This is a FREE event, but space is limited.

Cost: Free - Reservations required

Location: Bluebird Hill Homestead 456 Old E East, Hudson, WI, United States

Saturday, July 22, 2023

4:45am - 12:00pm: CNC – Wisconsin Campus Bioblitz

Visitors can sign up to learn about moths, birds and other plants and animals found at Carpenter Nature Center’s Wisconsin Campus. Learn from bird, invertebrate, reptile, amphibian, and plant experts in a fun day of citizen science. Come to the Wisconsin Campus and join inventory teams in restored prairies, riparian habitats, and wooded bluff lands to discover and document plant and animal species. All ages are welcome at this FREE program.

Surveyors will hike the woods, prairies and oak savannahs of CNC’s Wisconsin Campus and report their findings to our Bioblitz HQ at the Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center at 279 S. Cove Road, Hudson.

To sign up for a specific program or hike register by calling Jen  at 651-437-4359 (ext. 108) or Abbey at 651-437-4359 (ext. 118).

Plans are underway but here is a peek some of the programs:

4:45am: “OMG it’s Early Bird Survey” with Ben Douglas - The team will get up before civil sunrise (at a very un-civilized time) to survey birds.
10am: Bumblebee Survey with Chris Smith

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

10:00am - 12:00pm: WRSP – Summer Scavenger Hunt

Get outside and join us for a scavenger hunt at Willow River State Park. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center and search for items on a checklist throughout the park, then come back to the Nature Center and collect a small participation prize!

This event costs $5/person or $10/family (cash or card) in support of our nonprofit’s mission. Events are free to Friends members, become one here: https://tinyurl.com/Friendmember

Vehicle admission into the park is required.  All outdoor events are weather-dependent. For more info email: [email protected].

Cost: $5 – $10

Location: Willow River State Park 1034 County Road A, Hudson, WI, United States

10:00am - 3:00pm: Make & Take Crafts at the Library

DIY Bird Feeders or Water Clocks - make them with friends at the library or take the materials home.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson Area Public Library 700 1st St, Hudson, WI, United States

1:00pm - 4:00pm: Native American Celebration

Oneida Storytelling with Linn Cornelius and Family
Description: Hear the Oneida Creation Story, How the Chipmunk got its Stripes, How the Birds got their Songs and many more stories. Listen to the stories of the Oneida People accompanied by Indian flute music and watch Linn make a cornhusk doll.

Native Dancing and Singing: St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin with the TRAILS Dance Troupe
Description: Gather by the river for a Native American Cultural Celebration with dancing, singing & drums and more! Feel the beat of a Midwestern Pow-Wow with the Native drum and singing. Dancing featuring mens’ and womens’ Traditional, Jingle, Fancy and Grass.

Hand Crafted Native American Arts & Crafts

Native American Food by Lisa Mosay & Family

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson's Lakefront Park Bandshell 505 1st St, Hudson, WI, United States

5:30pm - 8:30pm: Indigenous Scars: Wisconsin Massacre & Boarding Schools

Speakers Kevin and Patsy Alderson talk about the Bad Axe Massacre and the Wisconsin Boarding School at Tomah

Kirby Metoxen shares the story of the reinterment of Oneida children returned from Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania

Taste the Native influenced bites and beverages with indigenous inspired appetizers by chef Carey Castner. Learn more about Carey at Tailored Table.

This program addresses serious subjects and is recommended for teens and adult audience.

This is a free event but space is limited. Registration is required on Eventbrite.

Cost: Free

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

Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 - Saturday, July 22, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Hudson, WI

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