St. Croix RiverFest: Events and Activities Happening along the River July 13-18

The following was written by Paul Bourget, who serves on the board of the St. Croix River Association and is the chair for the 2013 River Awareness Week:

The St. Croix River is one of the cleanest tributaries flowing to the Mississippi River, but it’s not without its challenges.

There is too much phosphorus, which leads to algae blooms; and many invasive species are moving in, threatening to displace native plants and animals. These are just two of the major challenges we face in conserving the quality of the St. Croix watershed.

For one week every year, the St. Croix River Association (SCRA) coordinates efforts to make us all more “River Aware” in the hopes of building a more lasting river connection.

People take care of what they love, and everyone has a role in taking care of our water. During that week, SCRA invites people to celebrate the river and help clean it up as part of River Awareness Week (RAW), which this year is July 13-21. This weeklong event along the St. Croix River, and its tributaries, is a great way for people of all ages to experience the amazing gift we have in our own front yard.

A number of organizations and individuals have come together to help launch RiverFest “A Party with a Purpose!"

This event will take place in the Hudson area, in conjunction with River Awareness Week. RiverFest celebrates the river while recognizing the need to preserve its health and beauty.

Several activities are planned to make this multi-day RiverFest event a success and appealing to a wide mix of people.

Visit www.riverawarernessweek.org for more information about various RiverFest activities, along with all River Awareness Week events.

Canoe/Kayak Flotilla

There will be two separate opportunities for families to enjoy the river first-hand.

Family kayaking from Hudson Lakefront Park to YMCA Camp St. Croix and St. Croix County Troy Beach Park will be on Monday, July 15, 10 a.m. and Tuesday, July 16, 4 p.m. Participants will meet at the Hudson boat launch at First and Buckeye Streets for a safety demonstration.

Registrants will be shuttled back to Lakefront Park following St. Croix 101. The trip downriver will take a little over an hour with a power boat from the St. Croix Marina shadowing the paddlers.

The YMCA Camp’s newly-restored voyageur canoe will transport eight passengers and two staff dressed in period costume. Anyone may paddle or row along with their own non-motorized craft.

Kayaks are being made available by Kinni Creek Outfitters at a discount rate, particularly if you register for them early.

Kinni Creek Outfitters may be contacted at 877-504-9705  www.kinnicreek.com.  Reservation may be made for both the canoe and kayaks at www.riverfestpaddles.eventbrite.com , which includes a map of the planned flotilla and other related information.  

St. Croix 101

A grilled lunch/supper will follow the two paddle trips at Troy Beach (suggested donation $3) and three short educational presentations (St. Croix 101).

The Corps of Engineers will present information on the incredibly diverse and fascinating native freshwater mussels of the St. Croix River; and conservation initiatives from threats to the more than 30 species, including many state and federally protected species that occur in the St. Croix River watershed.

The St. Croix River harbors the most diverse assemblage of freshwater mussels in the upper Midwest. A presentation by a Malacologist with the Corps who is familiar with mussels of the region, will offer interesting and hands-on information of these amazing organisms.

The Carpenter Nature Center will demonstrate a raptor. They will show a variety of water animals including a turtle, a snake, a frog or toad.  Jen Vieth, Executive Director, will discuss some of the natural history of the area and the importance of the river habitat to the wildlife.  She will also cover some of the simple activities that people can do to help preserve area wildlife.

St. Croix Sailing School Open Houses

Ever dreamed of sailing?  Ever wondered how it all works?  Ever wondered how to get started?

Well now you can get all your sailing-related questions answered. The Saint Croix Sailing School will be holding two open houses, July 16 and 18, from 2-4 p.m. each day.

Representatives from the school as well as the St. Croix Sailing Club will be on hand to answer questions, talk sailing, and offer help in getting started. Boats will be on display and food and refreshments will be served.

The school is located at First and Buckeye on the Hudson waterfront. www.SaintCroixSailingSchool.org

Hudson Library Program

The Hudson Area Library will host a special river-themed program for school-aged children on Wednesday, July 17 at 1 p.m. It will be presented by Willow River Elementary School teacher Wendy Draper and school employee Lynn Cincotta. 

Also, during the RiverFest week, the Library’s regularly scheduled preschool story times will feature river-themed stories and activities.

For a schedule of the story times go to: www.hudsonpubliclibrary.org

Concert in the Park

A concert by the Steamboat Kings, a four-piece band out of the Twin Cities, will be held on the evening of July 18 at 7 p.m. in the Lakefront Park Bandshell bringing the RiverFest activities to a close.

During intermission, the SOS Players will perform, also a canoe will be raffled by the St. Croix River Association. While the concert is going on rain barrel painting will take place, the Let’s Go Fishing excursions will be running and there will be displays by various organizations held in the parking lot across from the Phipps.

Paint a Rain Barrel Workshop

The Phipps Center for the Arts will be hosting a workshop on rain barrel painting during RiverFest.

Harvesting rainwater allows us to supplement other water sources at a minimum cost. Storing rainwater aids in the reduction of stormwater runoff, helping to reduce pesticides and fertilizers in streams, lakes and our beautiful St. Croix River.

Anyone interested in painting a rain barrel for their own use can join the “Paint a Rain Barrel” Workshop at the Phipps on Tuesday, July 16 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Participants will design and paint a rain barrel for their home. Children, accompanied by an adult, are welcome. DO be watching for rain barrels showing up in and around Hudson!

To register for the workshop go to:  http://www.thephipps.org/events/artful-rain-garden-project.  For additional information, please call 715 386 9336.

River Cleanup

The annual river cleanup will occur on July 17 starting at noon in front of the Hudson Bandshell and more volunteers are needed to make this year’s collection a success.

Cleanup teams will be formed and bags and gloves will be provided. Some of the trash that is collected will be used to finish the splashing bass sculpture the following day, and everyone is invited to watch that transformation take place. 

More information on the cleanup is available at: www.riverawarenessweek.org. 

Splashing Bass Sculpture

Minnesota sculptor, Mary Johnson, has been commissioned through a private grant to create a river-themed sculpture for RiverFest.

The steel armature for her splashing bass figure was constructed in her studio and will be temporarily transported to Lakefront Park. Students from the Phipps’ Just Add Water class will then work with the artist to complete the sculpture using debris collected during the river cleanup.

A contest to name the bass will be held and it will then be on permanent display at Camp St. Croix and available for transport to future events.

A contest for naming the bass is underway and you can email your ideas to:  stcroixriverfest@gmail.com.

The winner will be announced at the Thursday concert.  Students ages 8 and up can still sign up for the Just Add Water Special Edition class that will be creating the sculpture with Mary!!   Call The Phipps at (715) 386-2305, or stop into the office to sign up for this July 18 class!

Let’s Go Fishing

The St. Croix Valley Chapter of Let’s Go Fishing plans to dock in Hudson on July 17-18 as part of RiverFest.

LGF provides free fishing and boating excursions to people with special needs who normally have no access to the water.

LGF is a volunteer organization with a fleet of specially equipped pontoon boats that has several chapters in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The St. Croix Valley Chapter is based in Bayport.

Details on how to register are available at:  www.letsgofishingstillwater.com.

Yoga on the River

The Hudson YMCA fitness staff will be holding yoga classes at Lakefront Park by the Volleyball courts on Saturday, July 13 and 20 from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.

Join us on the beautiful St Croix River for relaxation and fitness. Children must be accompanied by an adult to participate. Contact DeAnn Nicklay at DeAnn.Nicklay@ymcatwincities.org for more information.

Log Rolling Demonstration

The Hudson Log Rolling Club will have a demonstration at the beach at Lakefront Park on July 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The public is invited to either watch the demonstration or jump in the water and give the logs a spin. All ages are welcome to participate, but a waiver will need to be signed by an adult if minors want to participate.

This historic sport has its foundation built on the St Croix River. For additional information please contact Jennifer Serpico at jennifer.serpico@ymcatwincities.org .

This flagship launch of RiverFest is being made possible through generous grants from the Hudson Community Foundation, Hudson Daybreak Rotary and a private donor organization.