Hudson’s 12th annual St. Croix RiverFest celebration is set for July 16 - 20. Hudson will celebrate the St. Croix River with this annual summer “Party with a Purpose” with activities designed to inspire people of all ages to actively celebrate the river while recognizing the need to protect the river’s health and beauty.

RiverFest kicks off with the annual River Cleanup at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 16. The river cleanup is the “purpose” for the RiverFest celebration. Cleanup participants meet at Lakefront Park Bandshell and then collect trash along the riverfront. Lunch will be provided for cleanup crews at Picnic Point at the south end of Lakefront Park. Following lunch at 11:30 a.m,, Carpenter Nature Center will present animal ambassadors.

This year the Hudson Rotary Environmental Committee is organizing an exciting new program. The Minnesota DNR Invasive Carp field team will be at RiverFest from 3-5 p.m. July 16 with a demonstration of the equipment and techniques they use to control these voracious and prolific-breeding species of carp in the bay north of the Hudson dike. The Minnesota DNR, Wisconsin DNR, National Park Service and Wild Rivers Conservancy will have display booths with information and demonstrations.

On Tuesday evening, families with young children will enjoy The Toonies Enviro-fun Puppet Show at the Lakefront Park Bandshell at 6:30 p.m. The popular free family-friendly movie “Migration” will start at dusk at the Lakefront Park Bandshell. Bring a picnic blanket and watch the movie under the stars. Pre-movie kid-friendly fun and games will be provided by Hudson Area Public Library from 7:30-9 p.m.

On Wednesday, July 17 there will be a Water Quality Panel Discussion following the regular meeting of the Hudson Daybreak Rotary at 7:30 a.m. Also, on Wednesday from 1-4 p.m., the Carpenter Nature Center will host a Family Fun Open House at their Wisconsin Campus.

The St. Croix Valley Community Band concert is on Thursday, July 18 at the Hudson Bandshell. This is one of the highlights of RiverFest. Partner organizations will have booths with information and demonstrations before the concert starting at 6 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and will include musical selections that celebrate our wild and scenic St. Croix River.

Other Riverfest activities include: storytime, learning sessions with Mr. Mick and crafts at the Hudson Area Public Library; a foraging walk; a paddle at Willow River State Park; and on Saturday, July 20 there is a Native American Celebration at Lakefront Park and Native American Cuisine cooking class and meet and greet with Anne Thundercloud.

A complete list of RiverFest activities and event details are available at StCroixRiverFest.org or on Facebook.

Submitted by RiverFest Committee