Packed schedule is fitting for large crowds at Riverfront

The 32nd annual Riverfront Rendezvous will offer a little something – whether that is food, drink, music, friends, parade or kids’ activities – for everyone, organizers say.
The rendezvous is a family tradition with live music, food, a parade and fireworks at Pfiffner Pioneer Park downtown. Admission is free to all. The three-day celebration begins on Friday, July 1, and will run through Sunday, July 3.
Food tents will be available from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Musical acts will run the gamut, from up-and-coming singers/songwriters to longtime favorites, and include varieties spanning genres such as country, bluegrass, rock and soul. Music begins at 7:15 p.m. Friday and continues throughout the weekend at four different locations along Pfiffner Pioneer Park.
Animals and fireworks – including sparklers – are not allowed in Pfiffner Pioneer Park during the festival, which draws upwards of 50,000 annually.
“It’s too hot and too crowded for pets,” said Tom Schrader, parks director. And festival attendees tend to burn out the sparklers and leave the metal pokers on the ground which may cause an injury or damage mowing equipment, he said.
City officials also request no walk-ins as food and beverages are available for minimal cost during the event. Any proceeds the city makes through the festival go back into the festival, so if profits are lower, band quality would decrease, he said.
Schrader also said Riverfront would not be nearly as successful as it has year after year if it weren’t for the sponsors.
“It wouldn’t keep going without the corporate sponsorship we get,” he said. “A lot of people after 32 years think the event will run itself, but without the sponsors we wouldn’t be able to. I’m very happy the corporate sponsors come back year after year.”
Festival partners are Kwik Trip and Quality Plus Printing.
Premium sponsors are Miller Lite; Point Beer; C.H. Robinson Worldwide; Skyward Inc.; and Habush, Habush and Rottier, S.C.
Riverfront Rendezvous schedule of events and entertainment is:
Friday, July 1
Activities sponsored by Sentry Insurance. Mainstage entertainment sponsored by Coca-Cola. North Tent sponsored by Delta Dental. Pfiffner Building sponsored by UW-Stevens Point.
7:15 to 8:15 p.m. The Claudettes (Blues / Soul-Jazz), Mainstage
7 to 11 p.m. Grand Union (country), North Tent
7 to 10:30 p.m. Evergreen Grass Band (bluegrass), Pfiffner Building
9 to 11 p.m. The Bodeans (rock), Mainstage
Saturday, July 2
Activities sponsored by BioLife Plasma Services. Carp Classic sponsored by American Family Insurance, the Jim Check Agency. Mainstage entertainment sponsored by Coca-Cola. North Tent sponsored by Delta Dental. Pfiffner Building sponsored by UW-Stevens Point. South Tent sponsored by Country Inn & Suites.
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Carp Classic (fishing contest), Pfiffner Building
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Horseshoe Tournament (Singles), Mead Park
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Adrian and Meredith Band (folk rock), Mainstage
1 to 3 p.m. Trivia Contest, Pfiffner Building
1 to 4 p.m. Bingo (games), North Tent
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. MAD Science (science experiments), South Tent
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Kevin Adair (comedy juggler), South Tent
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mark Twain: An American Life (storytelling), Pfiffner Building
6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Altered Five Blues Band (blues), Mainstage
7 to 11 p.m. Hyde (rock), North Tent
7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Ray Konkol Band (polka), Pfiffner Building
9:30 to 11:00 p.m. Devon Allman Band (rock), Mainstage
Sunday, July 3
Activities sponsored by Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic. Mainstage entertainment sponsored by Coca-Cola. North Tent sponsored by Delta Dental. Pfiffner Building sponsored by University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. South Tent sponsored by Country Inn & Suites. Parade sponsored by the Association of Downtown Businesses.
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Horseshoe Tournament (Doubles), Mead Park
Noon to 1 p.m. Parade, Main Street Downtown
1 to 3 p.m. Emergency vehicle display, Crosby Avenue
1 to 4 p.m. Bingo (games), North Tent
1 to 2:30 p.m. Kids Day (games and prizes), South Tent
1 to 2:30 p.m. Poetry Slam, Pfiffner Building
1 to 3 p.m. Kurt Gunn (Americana), Mainstage
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. John P. Hopkins (comedy magic), South Tent
4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Blues Summit Band (blues), Pfiffner Building
6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Andi and Alex (rock), Mainstage
7 to 11 p.m. Consult the Briefcase (rock blues), North Tent
8:15 to 9:45 p.m. Aubrey Sellers (rock/Americana), Mainstage
9:15 to 9:45 p.m. Lighted Boat Parade, Bukolt Park to Highway 10 Bridge
Dusk Fireworks, launched from Mead Park.
For more information about events and entertainment, go to stevenspoint.com/rr/