Schedule:

Friday, July 12, 2024

5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m: Family Fun Night at Pioneer Park, 9165 Fallon Avenue NE, Monticello, MN 55362

Let the Celebration Begin. Monticello Riverfest kicks off with Family Fun Night at Pioneer Park.

The annual Family Fun Night showcases great food, games, petting zoo, classic cars, pie eating contest and more in one of Monticello’s beautiful parks. A perfect way to start your Riverfest weekend. Held on Thursday evening in years past, the Family Fun Night moved to Friday evening to better accommodate busy schedules.

Friday’s Family Fun Night features:

Classic Car Show
Show off your ride and admire a variety of classic, collector, custom, and unique vehicles displayed on the west side of Pioneer Park.

Food Concessions
Grab extra napkins. Sloppy Joes are a Family Fun Night tradition. Sloppy Joe Dinner and Hot Dogs are available for purchase at the Pioneer Park Pavilion as well as at a stand near the Classic Car Show. If you are looking for something sweet, snow cones and root beer floats are also available for purchase.

Petting Zoo and Pony Rides
Admire some cute furry friends at the ever-popular petting zoo. Children’s pony rides are available for purchase.

Kids Games
Check out the Kids Games play area on the west side of Pioneer Park Pavilion.

Home Depot Kids’ Building Clinic
Be a builder, a creator, and a carpenter at the Home Depot Kids’ Building Clinic. Kids can choose a small wooden project to assemble and take home.

Bounce Houses
Burn a little energy and show off your jumping skills in bounce houses by the Bouncy House Guy. Available for purchase.

KRWC Roadshow
The KRWC AM 1360 Roadshow livens Family Fun Night with entertaining games and contests.

Pie Eating Contest at 6 p.m.
A crowd favorite. Local community leaders unleash their hunger and devour the competition in this annual pie eating contest. Winners walk away with the traveling trophy and a powerful sense of accomplishment.

K9 Demonstration at 7 p.m.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Department displays training and teamwork in their K9 Demonstration Show.

5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m: Classic Car Show
Pioneer Park, 9165 Fallon Avenue NE, Monticello, MN 55362

The Classic Car Show at Pioneer Park attracts car enthusiasts from the region
Show off your ride and admire a variety of classic, collector, custom, and unique vehicles displayed on the west side of Pioneer Park. Participants receive a Riverfest collector dash plaque. This free event is part of Riverfest’s Family Fun night and brings a wide variety of cars and fans.  

Riverfest Talent Showcase
6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Monticello High School, 5225 School Boulevard, Monticello, MN 55362

Celebrate community and the arts at this year’s Riverfest Talent Showcase.

Gallery Exhibit at 6 p.m.
Monticello High School Main Street
New this year. The Talent Showcase will feature visual art displays as part of a Gallery Exhibit on Main Street. Opens at 6 p.m.

Performing Arts Show at 7 p.m.
Monticello High School Auditorium
Enjoy an evening of music, dance, poetry, theater, and more. This show features area performers and is appropriate for all ages. General Admission tickets are $3, and children 5 and under are free. Seating is limited. Auditorium doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show starts at 7 p.m.

Fireworks at Sundown
Monticello High School Grounds, 5225 School Boulevard, Monticello, MN 55362

Light it up with Monticello Riverfest’s Fireworks show.
Grab your lawn chairs and favorite snacks and settle in for the Riverfest fireworks show Fireworks are launched when the sun goes down from the grounds between Eastview Elementary and the Monticello High School. With this central location, there are many fantastic places for you to catch all the action.

Saturday, July 13, 2024

1 Mile / 5k
8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
West Bridge Park, 107 West River Street, Monticello, MN 55362
Run or walk your way through the Riverfest 5k
Riverfest welcomes all ages and abilities to run and walk in the annual 1 Mile and 5k. The races begin at West Bridge Park with the 1 Mile starting at 8 a.m. and the 5k starting at 8:30 a.m. Spectators can cheer on runners along West River Street. Check out the registration link for all the details.

Click Here For 5k Registration Information

Art in the Park
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ellison Park, 811 East River Street, Monticello, MN 55362
The Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Industry proudly hosts Art in the Park during Monticello’s Riverfest
This juried art and fine craft show is held outdoors, rain or shine, at Ellison Park on the banks of the Mississippi River. The annual show is popular with regional artists and includes arts and crafts in wood, jewelry, pottery/ceramics, apparel/textiles, photography, painting/drawing, metal, glass, musical, bath, gourmet food, and more. In addition to arts and crafts, enjoy live music and the best dishes from area restaurants and caterers at Taste of Monticello.

Taste of Monticello
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ellison Park, 811 East River Street, Monticello, MN 55362
Enjoy the best dishes from area restaurants and caterers at Taste of Monticello
Taste of Monticello is a favorite feature of Art in the Park. Area restaurants and caterers showcase their best dishes during the annual art and craft show hosted in Ellison Park on the beautiful banks of the Mississippi River. Grab a bite, enjoy live music, and appreciate the amazing artists and creators.

Beanbag Tournament
10 a.m.
Ellison Park - East Side of Park, 811 East River Street, Monticello, MN 55362
Claim prizes and bragging rights at the annual Riverfest Beanbag Tournament
Register and secure your spot in Riverfest’s annual Beanbag Tournament. Two-person teams, $40 registration fee, and all skill levels welcomed 1st through 6th place teams receive payout.

Duck Race
4:30 p.m.
Monticello Community Center - Pool, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362
The Riverfest Duck Race is a rite of summer in Monticello
In the weeks leading up to Riverfest, watch for Duck Adoption booths at businesses in Monticello For a suggested donation of $5 or more, you can adopt an official Riverfest Duck to compete in the annual Duck Race.

Traditionally, the Riverfest ducks (don’t worry - they are the little, yellow, plastic variety) are dumped off the Highway 25 Mississippi River Bridge for a quick float to Ellison Park where 30 lucky ducks win cash prizes. As the Mississippi River Bridge will be under construction during Riverfest 2024, the Duck Drop committee has arranged a creative alternative to turn this year’s Duck Race into the Duck Splash. This ducky competition involves Monticello’s Royal Ambassadors and the Community Center pool, and winners will be declared.

Street Dance
5 - 11 p.m.
Monticello Community Center - West Parking Lot, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362
Rock the night away with Raised on Radio at the Riverfest Street Dance
Enjoy amazing live music you can sing and dance to Gates open at 5 p.m. with Betty Danger opening at 5 p.m. and Raised on Radio taking the stage at 8 p.m. Raised on Radio entertains with a great playlist of your rock and country favorites. Food and beverages available.

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Worship Service
9 a.m.
Monticello Community Center - West Parking Lot, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362
Enjoy music and an uplifting message at Riverfest’s annual Worship Service.
All are welcome to the community worship service.

Parade
12 p.m.
West 3rd Street - Walnut Street - West 6th Street
Yeehaw. The 2024 Western-themed Riverfest Parade will be a rip-roaring good time.
Bring your lawn chair and show off your parade wave. The annual Riverfest Parade brings a crowd and delivers fun for the entire family.
The parade starts on 3rd Street at the Monticello American Legion Club and heads East to Walnut Street. Then it will take a right on Walnut Street and head South until 6th Street. The Parade takes a right on 6th Street and heads West to Minnesota Street where it turns South and ends on 7th Street.

Click Here For Parade Lineup
Click Fere Parade Application

Sunday Funday
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monticello Community Center - West Parking Lot, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362
Head to the Community Center west parking lot after the parade for Sunday Funday.
Sunday Funday offers a festive scene with live music, food trucks, Bingo, and a pop-up splash pad. Bounce houses and inflatables are also available with ticketed entry. Citizen of the Year and Monticello’s Royal Ambassadors are announced on the stage at 3 p.m.

Citizen of the Year
3 p.m.
Monticello Community Center - West Parking Lot, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362
Citizen of the Year is awarded to an individual who helps make Monticello great.
Fabulous people make Monticello a wonderful place to live. Each year, Riverfest recognizes an individual whose contributions stand out and inspire others.
Citizen of the Year is announced at 3 p.m. on the stage immediately followed by the crowning of the Monticello Royal Ambassadors.

Coronation
3 p.m.
Monticello Community Center - West Parking Lot, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362
Cheer on the Monticello Royal Ambassadors and Candidates at Coronation.
Monticello’s Royal Ambassadors are crowned each year at Riverfest from an impressive group of candidates. Coronation immediately follows the Citizen of the Year award at 3 p.m. on the stage. Royal ambassadors volunteer and attend numerous events throughout the region to represent and promote Monticello. In addition to being wonderful representatives and ambassadors, the Royal Ambassador program cultivates personal growth in the areas of confidence, time management, public speaking, collaboration, communication, and volunteerism.

Date: July 12 - 14, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Monticello, MN 55362

Click Here For More Information