The crowd quickly filled Sibley Street Saturday night for the Wicked Garden performance. Wicked Garden covers 90’s grunge and metal and they do it superbly. The crowd loved it, and as you can see, it was packed. The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Rivertown Days featured a weekend of big events and was a huge success.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The Branchline Church Bubble Park, which was free on Saturday morning, was a great spot for kids to have some free fun.
Photo by David Youngren
The City of Hastings Parks and Recreation Department held the first ever Wiffle Ball Tournament and it was a smashing success. Teams of all ages and genders played and had a blast.
Photo by David Youngren
Premier Bank hosted a petting zoo in their parking lot on the corner of 10th Street and Vermillion Street. The petting zoo was geared for younger children like this little guy here but was fun for all ages.
Photo by David Youngren
The Kids Carnival at River of Life Church, formerly known as the dime carnival, is always a big hit on Saturday. The carnival was open 10-2 and was geared toward kids under 10.
Photo by David Youngren
The craft fair occupied most of the river front in Jaycee Park for all three days. Vendors reported a very good turnout all weekend long.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
This year was the first year that buttons were not the proof of admission for the ticketed area. Weekend long wristbands were issued when people showed their digital ticket at the gates. Black wristbands were for those 21 and older and white wristbands for those not allowed to or wanting to drink. Buttons were still available for collectors.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The City of Hastings brought a variety of their machinery under the bridge to create Machinery Hill. The free access event was fun for kids of all ages to check out the larger equipment pieced the City of Hastings owns to do the work and maintenance around town on the streets and parks.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
Josh Schoaf of the Hastings YMCA presents the Duck Race winner Nicole Sindelar with the 2023 trophy! Nicole had the fastest qualifying time of 2:30 seconds and she beat Dr. McKenzie and Dr. Perra by at least six duck lengths.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The beer tent was a very popular place, but these two ladies paused for a moment to get their picture taken before the rush hit.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
Circus Juventas featured six performers who put on an outstanding show filled with comedy, artistry, dance, balance and strength. These talented young performers were engaging and did exceptionally in the 30-minute show.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The Rotary Pavilion seats were packed with people for the Circus Juventas performance, a performance that was talked about throughout the night. Circus Juventas is a school for training young circus performers located in St. Paul.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The concessions area was the entire Levee Park parking lot, and it was continually packed all weekend long.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
Local coffee and wine shop, Froth & Cork unveiled their new coffee trailer, Froth Coffee at the Rivertown Days Arts and Crafts fair. Even the Lock and Dam Eatery booth workers paid a visit to the coffee trailer for some much-needed energy on Saturday.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
It may have required a little more walking, but the craft fair had vendors spread out perfectly to allow a little space between each booth which allowed navigating between the multiple rows much easier for everyone.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The Hastings Penny Press moves around town for people to find and collect their favorite pressed designs. It made an appearance for Rivertown Days.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
Newcomer Nina DiNio recently joined Wicked Garden allowing them to expand their song list to include some of the 90’s top female artists, Alanis Morrisette, Fiona Apple, Gwen Stefani and more. This girl can sing.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
More than 100 people showed up to the banks of the Vermillion River near the Dakota County Shop on County Road 46 to watch five contestants race their inflatable ducks about 100 yards down the river.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
Wicked Garden stole the show again this year putting on a street packing performance of 90’s grunge and metal songs. Hopefully next year they can be on the main stage and play their full set. Sadly, the rainstorm shortened their performance time to about 45 minutes.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The swings were geared toward the younger riders while the Tornado and the Tilt-a-Whirl were available for anyone to ride.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
There were a few thrill rides the further you ventured into the carnival.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The ticket line for the carnival rides grew suddenly after the brief rain shower ceased Saturday evening. Riders could purchase a four-hour, unlimited ride wristband and not have to worry about tickets.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
People packed the streets in front of the main stage to see acts like Ryan Necci and the Buffalo Gospel, Durry, Viva Knievel and pictured here, Mike Doughty.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The main stage featured several acts over the course of 16 hours with Mike Doughty being the headliner of the weekend.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
The five contestants for the duck race had to earn their pre-race qualifying positions by playing a game. The first to hoop their duck got to pick their spot in the time-trial order. From left lifeguard Kevin Raigosa - YMCA, Dr. Melody McKenzie - Allina, Dr. Jerry Perra - Summit Orthopedics, Nicole Sindelar - Hastings Golf Club and Mike Bremer - Hastings Community TV.
Photo by Bruce Karnick
