Sunday’ s finale is more than the last day of Riverfest. It’ s a celebration of the people, traditions and hometown pride that have defined the festival for 50 years.

The final day of Monticello’ s signature summer celebration features one of central Minnesota’ s largest community parades, a lively afternoon at Ellison Park, the annual Duck Race, the crowning of new Royal Ambassadors and recognition of the community members whose service has helped shape the city.

The day begins at 11 a. m. with the annual Riverfest Parade through downtown Monticello.

One of the largest and longest community parades in central Minnesota, the procession typically lasts about two hours and features well over 100 entries. Marching bands, emergency responders, community organizations, local businesses, elected officials, royalty and plenty of candy combine to create one of Riverfest’ s most anticipated traditions.

This year’ s“ Back to the‘ 50s” theme celebrates both the era of poodle skirts, chrome and rock‘ n’ roll and Riverfest’ s own golden anniversary. Parade entries are expected to embrace the retro spirit with vintage vehicles, classic fashions and nostalgic flair.

The milestone celebration extends beyond the parade’ s theme. Former Citizens of the Year have been invited to reunite aboard two pontoons, honoring decades of volunteerism and community leadership, while past Riverfest royalty will return to ride in the parade before taking part in the afternoon’ s coronation ceremony.

After the final float passes,

the celebration continues at Ellison Park during Sunday Funday from 11 a. m. to 4 p. m. The riverfront gathering features food trucks, live music, bingo, inflatable attractions and a pop-up splash pad, giving families plenty of reasons to spend the afternoon together.

At 2:30 p. m., thousands of bright yellow rubber ducks will once again tumble from

the Highway 25 bridge into the Mississippi River for the annual Duck Race. Participants can adopt ducks for a suggested $ 5 donation, with 30 lucky ducks earning cash prizes, including a $ 2,500 grand prize.

The celebration continues at 2:45 p. m. with the Royal Ambassador Coronation, where Monticello will crown its 2026 ambassadors while also welcoming

back former royalty as part of the festival’ s 50th anniversary celebration.

Riverfest concludes at 3:30 p. m. with recognition of Monticello’ s 2026 Citizens of the Year, Jim and Teri Johnson, who are being honored for founding Heart Strong Monticello and turning one family’ s experience with sudden cardiac arrest into a communitywide

mission to save lives.

From a parade stretching through downtown to ducks bobbing down the Mississippi and generations of community leaders gathered in one place, Sunday’ s finale offers a fitting close to Riverfest’ s golden anniversary— celebrating not only 50 years of festivities, but also the people who have made them possible.