The Midland Area River Days Festival to Bring Hot Air Balloons, Food, Music, Fireworks, Free Fun, and Much More to Downtown Midland This Weekend
The Midland Area River Days Festival, a proud project of the Midland Area Community Foundation, takes place this weekend, July 31 through August 3. Fisher Companies is returning as the presenting sponsor.
The festival kicks off Thursday afternoon near the Tridge with a river and river bank cleanup facilitated by the Chippewa Nature Center and sponsored by Be Alive, Inc. The weekend will culminate with the Esther Gerstacker Fireworks show sponsored by the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation at 10:15 PM on Saturday and a final Hot Air Balloon Fly-In early Sunday morning.
Downtown Midland will come alive as community members and visitors gather near the Tridge to celebrate the joys of summer and community spirit with over 15 hot air balloons, 14 food trucks, dozens of performances and festival features, and free fun for kids with offerings such as the Kids’ Zone from 12 PM - 4 PM on Saturday, the Bungee Jumper, the Pirate’s Revenge amusement ride, the Super Slide, and the Public Arts Midland Tent.
“River Days is more than a festival. It’s a cherished tradition that brings our community together each year,” said Sharon Mortensen, President and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation. “This weekend highlights the spirit, generosity, and enthusiasm of Midland residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. We invite everyone to join us in living up to the Midland Area River Days’ purpose of being an inclusive community celebration by the river to honor the past and embrace the future of Midland.”
New to River Days will be programming on Main Street in Downtown Midland on Saturday, starting with the Taco Eating Contest sponsored by Proper Taco at noon, a live recording of the Max Loves Midland Show with Dennis Pilaske from the Chippewa Nature Center at 1 PM, and an acoustic music performance by Pilaske at 2 PM. The Midland Area Youth Action Council will once again sponsor River Days Unplugged. River Days Unplugged will bring two more acoustic performances to Downtown Midland: Parker Zimmerman at 3 PM and M31 at 4 PM. All River Days events in Downtown Midland will occur on the Commons Stage on Main Street. In addition to River Days facilitated events, Downtown Midland has invited Stone Street Revival to close out Friday night with the River Days After Party at 9 PM.
Beyond the river cleanup, river and history-themed features and events include:
Friday
Run the River Run/Walk hosted by Greater Midland
Registration begins at 5 PM
Kayak Poker Run hosted by Nor’East Outdoors at 6 PM
Saturday
Kayak rides and long-term rentals offered by Nor’East Outdoors from 10 AM to 4PM
Free Voyageur Canoe rides facilitated by the Chippewa Nature Center from 11AM to 3 PM
River History Tour by the Midland County Historical Society at 12 PM
Historic Residential Tour by the Midland County Historical Society at 1 PM
River History Tour at 2 PM
Historic Residential Tour at 3 PM
River History Tour at 4 PM
Historic Residential Tour at 5 PM
The H Hotel’s back lawn will welcome events from local service clubs and entertainment on The Bob Johns River Days Stage:
Thursday
Silent Disco sponsored by the Midland Area Youth Action Council from 7 PM to 10 PM in the Midland Rotary Tent
Friday
Midland Rotary Clubs Cheeseburger Dinner from 5 PM to 10 PM
Midland Rotary Clubs Beer & Wine Tent open from 5 PM to 10 PM
Atomic Annie performs on the Bob Johns River Days Stage from 7 PM to 9 PM
Saturday
Midland Area Cultural Awareness Coalition programming on the Bob Johns River Days Stage from 12 PM to 4 PM
Lions Club Chicken Dinner at 3 PM (while supplies last)
Tony Thompson & Friends perform from 5:45 PM to 7:15 PM on the Bob Johns River Days Stage
Midland Rotary Clubs Beer & Wine Tent open from 5 PM to 10 PM
Starfarm headlines the Bob Johns River Days Stage from 8 PM to 9:45 PM before the Esther Gerstacker Fireworks Show sponsored by the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation begins at 10:15 PM.
For a complete schedule of events and more information, please visit riverdaysmidland.com.
Since 1973, area residents have turned to the Midland Area Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern to improve the quality of life in our community.
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