This is a new RiverFest program directed by Hudson’s own, Liz Malanaphy. This fun program tells the story of water as it travels through our community through interactive storytelling and will include volunteers from the audience.
In the event of rain, the program will be moved to Music Room at The Phipps Center for the Arts, at 109 Locust Street.
If the weather is stormy, please check here before the show for any location updates.
The Kids Street Water Class runs the week of July 20-24 from 9am-12pm with a performance on Friday, July 24th at 7pm.
The Pop-Up Players will explore clean water and the environment with a goal of developing a theatrical performance at RiverFest. Students will study acting, singing, prop making and more. The class will conclude Friday, July 24th at 7pm with and eco-friendly performance for at the Hudson Bandshell.
For kids age 8-12. This is a free class, but you must pre-register by contacting Liz Malanaphy at lizmalanaphy@gmail.com or 715-245-0432.
Black Rooster Bistro will feature an indigenous based menu of bison tartar with cured duck egg, fermented corn, sun chokes and wild rice. (while supplies last)
St. Croix Baking Company will feature a special price on cranberry wild rice sourdough bread.
Gather by the river for a Native American Cultural Celebration.
1 – 2:30 pm:
A focus on Dakota culture hosted by Rosetta “Rosie” Peters, a Minnesota-based poet, author and storyteller.
• Singing by Imnizaska Drum Group, a vibrant, intertribal drum collective deeply rooted in cultural preservation and education.
• Dancing by Zach Red Bear and the Twin Cities Inter Tribal Dance Group.
• Learn about other Dakota/Lakota cultural locations and programs in the region.
2:30 – 4 pm:
The St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin with pow-wow dancing, singing, drums and storytelling. Their Ojibwe style of dancing and regalia is always a highlight and visitors are invited to join in some of the dancing.
Available from 1 – 4 pm:
• Mosay Family with Pow-wow food for sale
• Native American arts and crafts for sale
• Northstar Bison samples and products available for purchase
• Chapter2 Books will have Indigenous books available for purchase
• Belwin Conservancy display with an interpretive naturalist
View a video of the 2025 Native American Celebration on the River Channel.
Program Sponsors:
Come and see the Minnesota DNR’s Electrofishing Boat demonstration at 2:30 and 3:30pm (water conditions permitting) at the Lakefront Park Beach.
The Minnesota DNR will have a display booth at Picnic Point. Meet the Aquatics and Fisheries Biologists and see carp mounts and a carp tracking acoustic tag display.
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.
Minnesota DNR’s invasive carp program takes an integrated approach to invasive carp prevention and management, focusing on actions that the DNR and partners can take to slow the spread of invasive carp, minimize their impact, and reduce the chance of invasive carp reproducing in Minnesota waters. Those actions include monitoring invasive carp in ways that enable us to respond, prevention and deterrence, response preparation, management and control, and communication, outreach, and coordination. Among other activities, our program tags and tracks invasive carp to learn about their movement patterns, monitors for evidence of reproduction, contracts commercial fishers to capture invasive carp, and works with partners to develop better ways to target invasive carp in Minnesota waters. More info on our invasive carp program is available online at: mndnr.gov/invasivecarp.
Watch a video of the 2024 Hudson St. Croix RiverFest Invasive Species Control on the St. Croix. Thank you to River Channel for sharing this video.
Meet at 10am SHARP at the Willow River boat launch Willow River State Park, 1034 County Road A, Hudson
Kayaks are limited! Registration is required, grab your spot here https://tinyurl.com/paddlewillow26
In honor of RiverFest week, join our park 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 who are ages 10 and up, accompanied by a parent/guardian and are capable of operating their own kayak for the entirety of the trip are welcome to join! Please dress for the weather and bring along a lifejacket (if you do not wish to wear one of ours) waterproof shoes, drinking water, sunscreen, and bug spray. This kayak trip takes roughly 2.5-3 hours to complete depending on the pace of the group.
This event costs $25/kayak. Vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.
All outdoor events are weather-dependent.
Questions? Email: naturecenter@willowkinnifriends.org
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.
Stop by the Library during open hours (Tues.-Thur. 10am-8pm, Fri. 10am-6pm & Sat. 10am-3pm) for RiverFest STEM activity or make a River Otter. Make them with friends at the library or take the materials home.
Stop by the Library during open hours (Tues.-Thur. 10am-8pm, Fri. 10am-6pm & Sat. 10am-3pm) for RiverFest STEM activity or make a River Otter. Make them with friends at the library or take the materials home.