Riverfest Schedule
Looking to get involved?
Join us on May 16 & 17 to celebrate the 52nd Annual Jonesville RiverFest! This iconic event has been a staple in our community, drawing people from the tri-state area and beyond, for an unforgettable weekend of river floating, a classic car show, live music, cornhole tournament, RiverFest pageant, tractor show, 3-ON-3 basketball tournament, golf scramble, community scavenger hunt, kids activities, food trucks, and, of course, a whole lot of fun!
Food Truck Vendors
Artists & Crafters
River Rat & Rail Trail Cleanup
The St. Joe needs a little spring cleaning. Join us as we roll up our sleeves and tackle brush, trim trees, and wrestle that pesky ground cover along the river landing just west of the Gow Building parking lot.
Williams Elementary STEM Races
Williams Elementary’s STEM program will race hand-crafted boats on the St. Joseph River during Riverfest Weekend in downtown Jonesville. Students will showcase designs from lessons on buoyancy, density, and mass. Spectators can expect creative boats, lively cheering, and a hands-on science demonstration.
Open Mic Night At The Shack
Kick back with us at Ramshackle Brewing Co. for an evening of acoustic tunes and easygoing RiverFest vibes. Expect the perfect soundtrack for a pre-RiverFest evening. Grab a drink, find a seat, and let the music roll. No cover, no fuss, just good tunes and good company.
Jonesville Schools - Paddle to School
Take up your paddle and join the Jonesville Schools - Paddle to School, part of Jonesville RiverFest! Students launch from Red Bridge and kayak down the St. Joseph River for a supervised, family-friendly commute to Jonesville Middle School. Expect an early-morning start, gentle river conditions, provided life jackets, and volunteer guides. Perfect for an epic school commute!
RiverFest Kick-Off Concert
Kick off RiverFest in style at our RiverFest Kick-Off Concert! Join us in the park for an evening of live music featuring three incredible bands, great energy, and a fun, small-town atmosphere. Bring your lawn chairs, gather your friends, and enjoy a night of music under the open sky.
6-7 pm: TBD
7-8 pm: Casey Rowe
8-10 pm: STD (Silver Tongued Devils)
To help keep the evening enjoyable for everyone, we encourage guests to travel light and simply bring their chairs, friends, and great energy—we’ll take care of the rest!
Jonesville District Library Book Sale
Dive into RiverFest at the Jonesville District Library - grab a bag of books for just $1! From lively children’s stories and teen reads to adult education resources, our shelves spark learning, creativity, and community connection. With year-round programs and events, the library is a hub of activity at RiverFest and beyond. Stop by, browse the treasures, discover something new, and join the celebration!
Jonesville RiverFest Golf Scramble
Join us Friday, May 16, at 5:30 PM for the Jonesville RiverFest Golf Scramble at Mill Race. Expect good company, imperfect swings, and plenty of laughs. Prizes will be awarded after play. Register your team, bring your sense of fun, and help celebrate RiverFest, memorable moments (and a few surprise shots) guaranteed.
Buzzed Bard
The audience plays a drinking game as Shakespeare unfolds. Click below for tickets!
Jonesville Business Association Scavenger Hunt
Get ready, Jonesville, RiverFest just got wilder! The Jonesville Business Association presents a town-wide scavenger hunt: grab your tally card at participating businesses, then race around town to find football-sized ducks hidden in local spots. Each duck you find brings you closer to winning Jonesville Bucks good at shops and restaurants across Jonesville. Finish the hunt, enter the drawing, and celebrate RiverFest while supporting local businesses. Explore new places, have a blast, and let the duck hunt begin!
Comet Cruisers Fun Run
Get the kids moving and smiling at the Comet Cruisers Fun Run! This fun-filled event is perfect for young runners of all ages and abilities. With a relaxed, high-energy atmosphere, it’s all about having fun, building confidence, and enjoying RiverFest with friends and family. Lace up those sneakers and let the little comets shine!
Jonesville First Presbyterian Church Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
Jonesville First Presbyterian Church is serving up a Pancake & Sausage Breakfast with milk, coffee, and orange juice! Come early and enjoy while supplies last!
Jonesville Public Safety Open House
Bring the whole family to the Jonesville Public Safety Open House full of hands-on fun! Tour the fire station, climb aboard real emergency vehicles, watch equipment demos, and meet firefighters, police, EMTs, and conservation officers. Enjoy interactive displays from Jonesville City Fire, Jonesville Police, Reading Emergency Unit, Michigan Prevention Community Risk Reduction, and the Michigan DNR. A safe, welcoming day for curious kids and families—see, touch, and say thanks to our local heroes.
Jonesville Rotary Club Classic Car Show
Get ready for a day of chrome, horsepower, and nostalgia as the Jonesville RiverFest Classic Car & Bike Show rolls in this year! With hundreds of stunning rides and activities throughout the day, this is still a must-attend event for car & bike lovers and festival guests alike.
Registration opens at 9 AM — just $5 to enter! Stick around for the Awards Ceremony at 2 PM, where we’ll hand out dash plaques (while supplies last) and trophies for:
Cars: Classic 1950 & Newer, Classic 1950 & Older, Best Truck, Best Sports Car, Best Muscle Car, Best Hot Rod, Best in Show, Longest Distance Traveled
Motorcycle: Best Motorcycle — 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, all voted on by the participants!
We’ll also have merch giveaways and prizes throughout the day.
Want to be part of the show? Contact Don Toffolo at don.toffolo@mac.com for more info.
Proudly sponsored by the Jonesville Rotary Club!
Grider Mechanical Cornhole Tournament
Get ready to toss some bags at the Jonesville RiverFest Cornhole Tournament! Pre-registration opensat 9 AM, but don’t wait; only 36 teams can compete!
Entry: $20 per person / $40 per team.
Registration: 9:00 AM
Start: 10:00 AM sharp
Parking: Barrett Insurance or the Subway parking lot
Bring your own chairs, food, and drinks—but keep it legal, no drugs allowed. If you're under 18, a parent or guardian must cover your entry fee.
The tournament starts with two rounds of rounders (10-round limit) for seeding and possible tiers, followed by double elimination with no round limits! The Federation keeps 25%, and the rest goes to the players. Plus, don’t miss out on the 50/50 raffle and pipe shoot!
See you there—let’s play!
Bounce House Bonanza
Get ready to jump into fun at our Bounce House Bonanza during RiverFest! This high-energy kids zone features two exciting bounce houses and an inflatable obstacle course—perfect for climbing, racing, and bouncing the day away.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, one bounce house will be dedicated exclusively for children ages 5 and under, creating a comfortable space for our youngest festival-goers to play.
Bring the kids, burn off some energy, and enjoy one of RiverFest’s most fun-filled attractions—there’s something for everyone at the Bounce House Bonanza!
Jonesville District Library Sheriff’s Dept K-9 event
Meet Hillsdale County’s K-9 Unit at Jonesville RiverFest! See demonstrations, meet the dogs and handlers, and hear real-life stories. Families and kids welcome. T-shirts, stuffed animals, and commemorative challenge coins will be available for purchase — proceeds support K-9 training, care, and equipment. Don’t miss this chance to learn and show your support.
Grosvenor House Museum Tours & Living History Encampment
Grosvenor House Museum & Living History Encampment open Saturday during Jonesville RiverFest — admission by donation. Tour this 32-room, 1872–1874 mansion by Elijah E. Myers (Michigan’s Capitol architect) featuring period innovations like centralized heating, indoor plumbing, flush toilets, and carbide gas lighting. Enjoy live music from the Back Porch String Band inside, and pick up a Grosvenor House Christmas ornament. Celebrate 150 years of history at this Jonesville landmark.
RiverFest Arts & Crafts Show
Get ready for a weekend full of creativity, community, and fun at the Jonesville RiverFest Arts & Crafts Show in downtown Jonesville! This isn’t just an arts and crafts show—it’s a vibrant celebration of local talent with amazing handmade goods, live demonstrations, and a lively festival atmosphere.
Stroll through a colorful mix of booths, meet talented artisans, and discover one-of-a-kind treasures—all while soaking in the energy of Jonesville RiverFest! Whether you're shopping, getting inspired, or just enjoying the food, music, and festival vibes, there’s something here for everyone.
Want to join the fun as a vendor? Click the link below. Don’t miss this exciting weekend!
Comets Run the River 5K
Join us for the Comets Run the River 5K, a scenic and energizing race during RiverFest! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a great way to stay active, this course offers the perfect mix of challenge and fun. Come run, walk, or jog your way through a memorable RiverFest tradition!
Sponsored by the Jonesville High School Wrestling team!
JHS Art Club Face Painting
Join us at Carl Fast Memorial Park for kids’ face painting by the Jonesville High School Art Club — a colorful, creative way to kick off Movie in the Park at dusk! Bring the whole family for bright smiles, playful designs, and fun photos before the film begins.
Don’t miss the chance to make the evening extra special — we can’t wait to see you there!
Shakespear in the Park: Bottom’s Dream
Pigeon Creek Shakespeare:
SHAKESPEARE FOR KIDS - IN THE PARK
Performance at Wright Street Park, Jonesville. This is a Pay What You Can production. Tickets are only available at the gate. No advance sales.
This is a Sauk Special Event.
Jonesville RiverFest Pageant
The Jonesville Pageant 2026 is officially on the calendar, and we’re looking for contestants ready to shine! Whether you're aiming for Tiny Miss or Teen Miss, there's a spot on stage just for you—no experience needed.
Live Music At The Shack
After fun filled day, cap off your RiverFest Saturday with live music at Ramshackle! Live music hits the stage at 7 PM with soulful, heartfelt songs and riverside vibes. No cover — just good tunes, cold drinks, and great company.
Playhouse Creatures
The Sauk is extremely excited to welcome our friends at The Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company back to Jonesville for an entire weekend of productions in May. Their final performance will not be a Shakespeare play but PLAYHOUSE CREATURES by April De Angelis. This Shakespeare-adjacent play explores the lives of the first professional women actors in England during the Restoration. The show, which does contain some adult content, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at The Sauk.
Tickets are available now at www.thesauk.org.
RiverFest Movie Night
Join us for the first-ever RiverFest Movie Night at RiverFest! Bring your blankets, grab some popcorn, and settle in for a fun-filled evening under the stars. This family-friendly night will feature a beloved kids’ movie—perfect for all ages.
The movie will be announced in May, hang tight!
We will begin at dusk in Carl Fast Memorial Park. We can’t wait to kick off this new tradition with you!
Jonesville Boys Basketball 3 on 3 RiverFest Tournament
Get ready for another exciting day on the court at the Jonesville RiverFest 3v3 Basketball Tournament! Open to boys and girls of all skill levels, this fast-paced tournament features multiple divisions, including 3rd/4th grade, 5th/6th grade, middle school, JV, varsity, and an open division.
Games will tip off throughout the day, beginning in the morning and continuing into the afternoon, with each division competing for bragging rights and RiverFest pride. Whether you're playing or cheering from the sidelines, it’s a great way to be part of the energy and excitement of RiverFest.
All games will take place at Jonesville High School—so grab your team, bring your fans, and don’t miss one of the most competitive and fun events of the weekend!
RiverFest Arts & Crafts Show
Get ready for a weekend full of creativity, community, and fun at the Jonesville RiverFest Arts & Crafts Show in downtown Jonesville! This isn’t just an arts and crafts show—it’s a vibrant celebration of local talent with amazing handmade goods, live demonstrations, and a lively festival atmosphere.
Stroll through a colorful mix of booths, meet talented artisans, and discover one-of-a-kind treasures—all while soaking in the energy of Jonesville RiverFest! Whether you're shopping, getting inspired, or just enjoying the food, music, and festival vibes, there’s something here for everyone.
Want to join the fun as a vendor? Click the link below. Don’t miss this exciting weekend!
Powers Clothing Antique Tractor Show
Calling All Tractor Enthusiasts!
Got a beautifully restored tractor you’re proud of? Or maybe one that’s still a work in progress? Bring it to Jonesville RiverFest at Carl Fast Memorial Park and show it off! Whether it’s shining like new or still in the early stages of restoration, we want to see your piece of history. It’s all about celebrating craftsmanship, hard work, and a love for classic tractors. So fire ‘em up, roll ‘em in, and let’s talk shop!
No cost to participate. Enjoy coffee & donuts at 10:00 AM for all participants.
For more information, contact Jim Pope (517) 849-9151
Brought to you by Powers Clothing, who’ve been keeping local legends looking sharp longer than most of these tractors have been running.
PRE & RBC Euchre Tournament
Grab your cards and bring a friend — but get ready to switch partners, because this is a round-robin singles tournament! There’s $200 on the line at the Jonesville RiverFest Euchre Tournament happening Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 PM at Ramshackle Brewing Co.
Tournament Details:
$20 entry fee per player
Top prize: $200 (or a percentage of total entries if the tournament doesn’t fill up)
Cold drinks, great atmosphere, and RiverFest camaraderie
Round-robin singles format — you'll be paired up with different players throughout the tournament
Prize pool scales with the number of entries — the more who play, the bigger the payouts
Pre-registration is encouraged — space is limited, and you’ll want in on this one. Email Bryan Playford at bmplayford@gmail.com to register.
Whether you’re a seasoned card shark or just in it for the fun, this is your hand to play. Come for the cash, stay for the beer, and soak in those classic RiverFest vibes.
Register in person at Ramshackle Brewing Co. or Playford Real Estate