Wednesday, October 9, 2024
By Robert Cloud
The 40th annual Riverfront Rendezvous Festival is set for Thursday through Saturday, July 4-6, at Pfiffner Pioneer Park.
This community celebration features family activities, carnival rides, a parade on Main Street, pickleball and horseshoe tournaments, and fireworks.
More than 20 bands will perform on three different stages.
Festivities begin at 6 a.m. Thursday, July 4, with the Carp Classic Fishing Contest. Registration at the Pfiffner Building deck, at 2442 Sims Ave., and fishing limited to the Wisconsin River south of DuBay dam. The entry fee is $2.
Beginning at 9 a.m. the pickleball tournaments will be held across the river at Mead Park, 1201 W. Whitney St.
During the three-day pickleball tournament there will be games for singles, doubles, men and women, and all ages. Registration is $45 per person.
Go to stevenspoint.com/409/Riverfront-Rendezvous for more information and to register for most events.
At 10 a.m. Thursday, a parade will be held on Main Street in downtown Stevens Point.
From noon to 10 p.m.. Thursday, there will be carnival rides and inflatable games in the Family Zone of Pfiffner Park. The carnival rides and inflatables are also scheduled from 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Thursday’s entertainment opens on the Main Stage with DJ Tyson 11:30 a.m., Miss Myra and the Moonshiners playing jazz and swing at 1 p.m., Copper Box performiong americanna at 7 p.m. and the Sppin Doctors playing rock at 9 p.m.
On the Annversary Stage, Barefoot Americans will play jam rock at 2:30 p.m. and Wheelhouse will play Americanna from 6-10 p.m.
In the Pfiffner Building, a trivia contest with prizes is slated to run from 1-3 p.m., followed by Big Oil playing rock at 4:30 p.m. and the Rhythm Playboys doing polka music at 7:30 p.m.
On the Main Stage, the Polish choir Non Serio will perform from 5-6 p.m., vocalist Pat McCurdy will sing at 7 p.m. and Horseshoes and Hand Grenades will play bluegrass from 9-10:30 p.m.
On the Anniversary Stage, Boogie and the Yo Yos are scheduled to play rock from 6-10 p.m.
River Cities Jazz will appear from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Pfiffner Building.
In addition to the pickleball and horseshoe tournaments, there will be a cornhole tournament, with registration at 11 a.m. in the Family Zone at Pfiffner Park.
There are multiple divisions and six games. The cost is $40 per team. For more information, email paperbaggersllc@gmail.com or call 715-544-5850.
Other Family Zone activities include Kids Safety Day and Musical Petting Zoo from 1-4 p.m.
A demonstration of the consequences of a car crash will be held at 4 p.m.
On the Main Stage, the rogue folk duo of Adrian and Meredith will perform from 1-3 p.m., Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets will play country rock at 6:15 p.m. and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band will play country blues at 8:15 p.m.
On the Anniversary Stage, Boo Bradley will perform swamp rock at 2:30 p.m. and Rebel Grace will play country from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
At the Pfiffner Building, Subject to Change will present improv comedy from 1-2:30 p.m. and John Dietz and the Twin Lakes Trio will play polka music from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
The highlight of Saturday’s activities will be fireworks sponsored by Festival Foods, slated to launch over the Wisconsin River at dusk.
