RIVERFEST 2023

  • Kids enjoyed firetruck rides throughout Saturday since it was a bit too cool for water games. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon.
    Kids enjoyed firetruck rides throughout Saturday since it was a bit too cool for water games. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon.
  • Randy Hills walks past the bikes just before the start of the Tom Landowski memorial ride on Saturday. Photo by Lyle Van Camp.
    Randy Hills walks past the bikes just before the start of the Tom Landowski memorial ride on Saturday. Photo by Lyle Van Camp.
  • The Designer Handbag Bingo for the Tom Landowski Memorial Fund saw 129 kind people in attendance. Taryn Landowski shared that to date with three years of Bingo and 13 years of the annual Tom Landowski Memorial Ride, the organization has raised $109,000. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon.
    The Designer Handbag Bingo for the Tom Landowski Memorial Fund saw 129 kind people in attendance. Taryn Landowski shared that to date with three years of Bingo and 13 years of the annual Tom Landowski Memorial Ride, the organization has raised $109,000. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon.
  • Ribfest winners (L-R) People’s Choice - Ron Staskivige of Grand Rapids, 2nd place Jaxon Wilson of Drayton, 3rd Place - Bert Jackson of Grafton, and 1st Place - Amber and Nathanial Brown of Drayton. Photo by Lyle Van Camp.
    Ribfest winners (L-R) People’s Choice - Ron Staskivige of Grand Rapids, 2nd place Jaxon Wilson of Drayton, 3rd Place - Bert Jackson of Grafton, and 1st Place - Amber and Nathanial Brown of Drayton. Photo by Lyle Van Camp.
  • Kiddos had a blast at the Kodabank coin scramble on Friday. Photo by Lyle Van Camp.
    Kiddos had a blast at the Kodabank coin scramble on Friday. Photo by Lyle Van Camp.
  • Not all the rides in the parade had an engine! Photo by Hilary Nowatzki.
    Not all the rides in the parade had an engine! Photo by Hilary Nowatzki.
  • Jason Morris, Scott Halvorson, Jeremy Ganssle, and Travis Uggerud at the Firemens’ Burger Feed. Photo by Christine Jensen.
    Jason Morris, Scott Halvorson, Jeremy Ganssle, and Travis Uggerud at the Firemens’ Burger Feed. Photo by Christine Jensen.
  • Ethan Sherrill got to sing with the band at the street dance. Photo by Lyle Van Camp.
    Ethan Sherrill got to sing with the band at the street dance. Photo by Lyle Van Camp.
  • Photo compliments of Olson’s Pedal Pulls
    Photo compliments of Olson’s Pedal Pulls
  • Locals and visitors lined up to eat and support the Drayton Volunteer Fire Department at Riverfest. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
    Locals and visitors lined up to eat and support the Drayton Volunteer Fire Department at Riverfest. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
  • Daniellia Pokrzywinski, Director of Big Hearts Daycare in Drayton, brought her group to the Blessing Museum & Square for free floats, rock painting, chips, hotdogs, coin scramble, and much more. Big Hearts opened in October and plans to make this field trip an annual event. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
    Daniellia Pokrzywinski, Director of Big Hearts Daycare in Drayton, brought her group to the Blessing Museum & Square for free floats, rock painting, chips, hotdogs, coin scramble, and much more. Big Hearts opened in October and plans to make this field trip an annual event. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
  • The Drayton Alumni Association Annual Alumni Banquet took place on Friday at Hastings Landing Dining. The class of 1973 was honored. The Banquet also honored the class of 2023. See this week’s Reverse snowbird special Riverfest edition for more on this event. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
    The Drayton Alumni Association Annual Alumni Banquet took place on Friday at Hastings Landing Dining. The class of 1973 was honored. The Banquet also honored the class of 2023. See this week’s Reverse snowbird special Riverfest edition for more on this event. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
  • Slip ‘N’ Slide had a huge-turn out at Schumacher Park last Friday. An anonymous donor sponsored the entire event, quote, “for the kids.” This is the second year and the plan is to have the event every year. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
    Slip ‘N’ Slide had a huge-turn out at Schumacher Park last Friday. An anonymous donor sponsored the entire event, quote, “for the kids.” This is the second year and the plan is to have the event every year. Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
  • Gloryland Express from Minneapolis performed at Drayton Riverfest. Bonnie, Johnny, and Duane (aka Reverse snowbird!) Johnny’s Grandad, Harold Halcrow Wylie, was from Drayton. The couple sang “old fashioned” country gospel with an Appalachian influence.
    Gloryland Express from Minneapolis performed at Drayton Riverfest. Bonnie, Johnny, and Duane (aka Reverse snowbird!) Johnny’s Grandad, Harold Halcrow Wylie, was from Drayton. The couple sang “old fashioned” country gospel with an Appalachian influence.
  • Photo compliments of Olson’s Pedal Pulls
    Photo compliments of Olson’s Pedal Pulls
  • Photo compliments of Olson’s Pedal Pulls
    Photo compliments of Olson’s Pedal Pulls
  • Amber Brown sang the National Anthem before the fireworks display. Photo by Lyle Van Camp
    Amber Brown sang the National Anthem before the fireworks display. Photo by Lyle Van Camp
  • Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon.
    Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon.
  • Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
    Photo by Duane H.H. Lyon
    That’s a wrap, Drayton! Congratulations on another successful Riverfest weekend and a massive thank you to all involved in making the event happen! According to Rob Boll, he expected a below average attendance this year after the All Class Reunion last year, which brought many folks into town. However, his worries were unwarranted, as this year’s Riverfest was bigger and better than ever!...

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