Join us for Hudson's annual RiverFest celebration 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.

Schedule of Events:

July 22, 2025

10:00 am - 11:30 pm: Hudson and North Hudson River Cleanup

The annual River Cleanup is a core activity of Hudson's St. Croix 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 Cleanup is the "purpose" for the RiverFest celebration.

Cost: Free

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

10:00 am - 8:00 pm: Make and Take Crafts and STEM Activities at the Library

Cloud Spotter, Water Bead Bracelet or Riverfest Headband - make them with friends at the library or take the materials home.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson Area Public Library, 700 1st St

11:30 am - 12:30 pm: 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

12:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Invasive Species Control on the St. Croix River - Demonstration and Information

The Minnesota DNR and the Wisconsin DNR are teaming up to stop the spread of Invasive Fish Species such as Silver and Bighead Carp in the upper Mississippi River basin, including the St. Croix River. Come and see the Minnesota DNR's Electrofishing Boat demonstration (water conditions permitting).

There will also be display booths at the Beach House Pavilion. You will have the opportunity to meet the Aquatics and Fisheries Biologists who are working hard to stop these large and voracious fish from out competing our native fish. These agencies will also have display booths with with an aquarium setup to view the fish, technology demonstrations and printed materials. Information on controlling other aquatic and terrestrial invasive species will be available.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson's Lakefront Park Beach House

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

Tricia and 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 this FREE show.

Cost: Free

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

9:00 pm - 10:40 pm: RiverFest Family Movie Night

Families are invited to enjoy the FREE family-friendly movie ""Moana 2" at the Lakefront Park Bandshell. In this animated move, after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced. Watch the official trailer.

Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs and watch the movie under the stars. Experience this entertain kids' movie outdoors on a giant 40 ft. inflatable screen!

We will have kid-friendly pre-movie activities from 7:30-9:00pm, including yard games provided by the Hudson Area Public Library and the Lakefront Park Tree Trek.

Cost: Free

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

July 23, 2025

7:15 am - 8:17 am: The State of the St. Croix Watershed

The public and Rotarians are invited to a free discussion by Angie Hong on the subject of the state of the watershed, following regular meeting of Hudson Daybreak Rotary.

Speaker Angie Hong, Water Education Specialist, Minnesota Washington Conservation District will discuss the St. Croix River watershed, of nearly 8,000 square miles and includes dozens of tributary streams and hundreds of lakes. Where are we making good progress to protect and restore water quality, and what challenges are coming in the future.

Cost: Free

Location: Camp St. Croix - RCU Discovery Center, 345 Riverview Dr

9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Carpenter Nature Center Family Fun Open House

Join us at Carpenter Nature Center's WI Campus for a morning of family fun. Visitors can meet some of CNC's live animal ambassadors, make a craft, coloring pages, nature scavenger hunt and take a hike. Free for all ages, indoor and outdoor activities.

Cost: Free

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

9:30 am - 10:30 am: Outdoor Storytime at Weitkamp Park

Join Miss Sara and Miss Annie, from the Hudson Area Public Library for a special RiverFest storytime!

Cost: Free

Location: Weitkamp Park 648 O'Neil Road

10:00 am - 8:00 pm: Make and Take Crafts and STEM Activities at the Library

Cloud Spotter, Water Bead Bracelet or Riverfest Headband - make them with friends at the library or take the materials home.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson Area Public Library, 700 1st St

July 24, 2025

10:00 am - 8:00 pm: Make and Take Crafts and STEM Activities at the Library

Cloud Spotter, Water Bead Bracelet or Riverfest Headband - make them with friends at the library or take the materials home.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson Area Public Library, 700 1st St

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Stuart Stott's Music Program and Library Ice Cream Social

Join us for an engaging family concert with loads of group participation. Ice cream provided by the Hudson Area Library Foundation and Friends of the Hudson Area Library.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson Area Public Library, 700 1st St

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: RiverFest Partner Display Booths

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

Cost: Free

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

7:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Cloud in a Jar with Mr. Mick

Mr. Mick will be teaching us about how clouds are formed. Join us outside on the library terrace.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson Area Public Library, 700 1st St

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

The FREE St. Croix Valley Community Band Concert is a popular RiverFest event. Celebrating community and the scenic St. Croix River with something for people of all ages. 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.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson's Lakefront Park Bandshell 505 1st St

July 25, 2025

10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Let's Go Paddling!

In honor of RiverFest week, join our naturalists on a scenic kayaking trip up to the beautiful Willow Falls, before peacefully floating back down the Willow River. This is a great activity to enjoy individually, with a friend, or as a family! Children ages 10 and up, with a parent/guardian and capable of operating their own kayak are welcome to join! Please dress for the weather and bring along a lifejacket (or wear one of ours) waterproof shoes, drinking water, sunscreen and bug spray.

Click here for Registration

Cost: $25

Location: Willow River State Park

10:00 am - 6:00 pm: Make and Take Crafts and STEM Activities at the Library

Cloud Spotter, Water Bead Bracelet or Riverfest Headband - make them with friends at the library or take the materials home.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson Area Public Library, 700 1st St

July 26, 2025

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Make and Take Crafts and STEM Activities at the Library

Cloud Spotter, Water Bead Bracelet or Riverfest Headband - make them with friends at the library or take the materials home.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson Area Public Library, 700 1st St

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

Gather by the river for a Native American Cultural Celebration.

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Michael "Laughing Fox" Charette with storytelling for children and flute music.
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm: The St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin with pow-wow dancing, singing, drums and storytelling.
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm:
Learn about Humble Horse Ojibwe Ponies.
Native American food Concession by Lisa Mosay family.
Native American arts and crafts for sale.

Cost: Free

Location: Hudson's Lakefront Park Bandshell 505 1st St

Date:
July 22 - 26, 2025

Location:
Various Venues in Hudson, WI

Click here for more information