Page 20 Monticello Riverfest • Thursday, July 3, 2025 monticellotimes. com
Parade, Sunday Funday, Duck Race close out Riverfest
Riverfest wraps up Sunday, July 13 with community worship and service, an entertaining candy-filled parade, Sunday Funday festivities, the annual Duck Race, Citizen of the Year recognition and the crowning of the Royal Ambassadors.
In a new twist this year, the annual worship service is expanding into a Worship + Serve event at Monticello High School, offering a chance to unite local churches and the larger community to serve hungry kids in the world.
Led by the Monticello Ministerium, 100,000 meals will be packed up to aid the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children. A multi-church band will lead live worship through the morning.
Folks can help in one of several ways, with about 40 volunteers needed to set up packing stations on Saturday from 4 to 7 p. m.; about 500 volunteers needed to pack meals Sunday morning from 8 to 10:30 a. m.; and 40 more needed to clean up and tear down packing stations from 10 a. m. to 1 p. m.
To sign up, register at https:// shorturl. at / TrfWx.
’ 80s-themed parade
Get ready to dust off those leg warmers, tease up your hair and give it a good crimp, pop in your shoulder pads and bring your raddest retro vibes, because the 2025 Riverfest Parade is going, like,“ Totally’ 80s”— and, party animals it’ s kicking off an hour earlier than usual.
Grab your neon shades and hair spray and head to the parade for a start of 11 a. m., which will allow plenty of time for parade goers to get to Ellison Park after the parade to enjoy Sunday Funday festivities.
Featuring bands, royalty, community groups, emergency responders, local businesses, politicians and lots of candy, the parade starts on 3rd Street at the Monticello American Legion and heads east to Walnut Street. Then it takes a right on Walnut and heads 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.
Sunday Funday includes duck race, ceremonies
Following the parade, Sunday Funday is moving to Ellison Park, with plenty of food, activities and more.
From 11 a. m. to 4 p. m.,
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.
Sunday Funday will also be a swimming good time as the traditional Riverfest Duck Race makes a splash.
Thousands of rubber ducks are headed back to the mighty Mississippi for their annual river race after taking off a year to paddle in the MCC pool due to bridge repairs in 2024.
The Riverfest ducks will be dumped off the Highway 25 Mississippi River Bridge for a quick float downstream to Ellison Park, where 30 lucky ducks win cash prizes.
So be sure to adopt your Riverfest Ducks, support our community celebration, and try your chance at winning big. For a suggested donation of $ 5 or more, you can adopt an official Riverfest Duck to compete in the annual Duck Race.
First place garners $ 2,500, while second through sixth-place winners will pick up $ 1,000, seventh through 29th place scores $ 100, and last place will also get $ 100. No sad ducks here!
Sunday Funday at Ellison will close out Riverfest with ceremonies for Citizen of the Year and Monticello’ s Royal Ambassadors. The Royal Ambassador Coronation will start at 2:45 p. m., with the Citizen of the Year presentation honoring Pam Loidolt following at 3:30 p. m.
Thank you Riverfest on 49 Fun Filled Years!
Thanks to everyone who has helped with this community event over the years. Your hard work and dedication is appreciated.
To All The Riverfest Volunteers throughout the years for countless hours and dedication to this community event and for including Dahlheimers in the celebration!
Dan Olson, Agent 207 W 3rd St. Monticello MN 55362 763-295-2199 Danolsonagency. com
3360 Chelsea Rd, Monticello • 763.295.3347