Tag Archives: St. Croix River

Hudson & North Hudson River Cleanup

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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.

Program Sponsor:    

Families and individuals are encouraged to join the Cleanup. Please view the River Cleanup Guidelines for instructions and details.

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

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

Drop off the trash collected during the River Cleanup from 11am to 12pm at Picnic Point (south end of Lakefront Park).

Following the Cleanup, RiverFest will host a picnic lunch for the Cleanup volunteers at Picnic Point (south end of Lakefront Park).

Thank you to our lunch sponsors: County Market, Erbert & Gerberts, Kwik Trip and Ember and Bean Roasting Co.

Invasive Species Control on the St. Croix River – Demonstration & Information

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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.

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.

The mission of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is to work with Minnesotans to conserve and manage the state’s natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.

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.

Foraging Walk at Bluebird Hill Homestead

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Join local forager Russ Lake at Bluebird Hill Homestead 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. Any children attending must be supervised. Dogs are not allowed.

This is a FREE event, but space is limited and reservations required.
Tickets available on Eventbrite.

St. Croix Valley Community Band Concert

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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.

The State of the St. Croix Watershed

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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.

Minnesota & Wisconsin National Scenic Riverway Tour

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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

  • Things to know!
  • A Cash Bar is available on board for cocktails and beverages.
  • We do not accept credit cards or checks on the boat.
  • If you are booking a large party we suggest you reserve tickets all at one time, so we may seat you all together.

Book your cruise here or use the QR code above.

Please use the promo code: RiverFest2023 to receive a $10 discount.

Tickets are also available at StCroixRiverCruises.com.
Promo code: RiverFest2023 to receive a $10 discount.

Tricia & the Toonies ENVIRO-FUN Puppets

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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 this FREE show.

The Toonies are presented in partnership with the City of Hudson.

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

Watch a video of the 2023 RivrerFest Toonies Puppet Show Thank you to River Channel for sharing this video.

In the event of rain, the program will be moved to the Hudson Area Library at 700 1st Street.