Thief River Falls is celebrating RiverFest with live local music, arts and crafts and great food Thursday through Saturday at L.B. Hartz Park.
The festival kicks off Thursday with a screening of “E.T.” starting at dusk.
It continues Friday with food vendors, a craft show, local talents “Forever Plaid” and other happening at 5 p.m. At 8 p.m. Nicholas David a singer and song writer from St. Paul will perform. He was a finalist on “The Voice” TV show.
Saturday will feature a full day of events, starting at 7:30 a.m. with the Kiwanis pancake breakfast. The Pioneer Run 5k/10k starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by a co-ed softball tournament at 9 a.m., Zinghoppers Children’s Theatre at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., a chili cook-off at noon, duck races at 3 p.m., and a twist contest at 6 p.m.
The weekend wraps up with a performance by Britain’s Finest Beatles Tribute at 9 p.m., a band festival organizers call the most realistic Beatles tribute band in existence.
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All events are free, but the Chamber of Commerce is selling buttons at local convenience stores for $5 in advance or $10 the weekend of RiverFest to enable future RiverFests to be free.
For more details and a full schedule of events go to on.fb.me/1rrpVwM or call (218) 684-0970 .
Other happenings
- Movie in the Park: Enjoy movies under the stars throughout the summer at various Grand Forks parks. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy family-friendly classics, action, adventure and new releases. The next film will be “Little Rascals” starting at sundown Tuesday at Riverside Park. Additional shows: “Lego Movie” Aug. 12 at Riverside Park, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” Aug. 26 at Choice Health and Fitness. Cost: Free. Info: (701) 746-2750 .
- Teen Night Dance and Swim: Save Our Pool is hosting The Last Splash teen dance night from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the East Grand Forks Pool. Ages 13 to 18 are invited to dance and swim, and chaperones and lifeguards will be on site. Proceeds will benefit Save Our Pool. Cost: $5. Info: on.fb.me/1rJvpXe .
- Prairie Hike: Visit Sullys Hill near Fort Totten, N.D., for a guided hike through the beautiful diverse grassland with more than 70 species of grasses, forbs and shrubs. The hike will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Visitor Center and then caravan to the Native Prairie Unit to begin the hike. Local artist Anne-Marit Bergstrom, who illustrated the book “People of the Prairie,” will join the hike. Hikers are encouraged to wear durable hiking shoes and long pants, and cameras are both welcomed and encouraged. Info: (701) 766-4272 .
- Icelandic Celebration: The Icelandic Communities Association is holding its 115th annual Deuce of August celebration Aug. 1 to 3 in Mountain, N.D. The weekend will feature street dances Friday and Saturday nights, a parade at10:30 a.m. Saturday, a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Saturday and the North Dakota State Tractor and Pickup Pulling Contest at 1 p.m. Sunday. The event will also have a car show, inflatable games, food, a historic sites tour and more during this celebration of Icelandic culture. For a full schedule go to bit.ly/1ps0bO5 . Info: www.august2nd.com .
- Water Carnival: East Grand Forks is holding its first annual water carnival from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 5 at the East Grand Forks Swimming Pool. The carnival will feature the biggest splash, duck race, penny dive, invisible bottle find, T-shirt relay, face painting and more. There will also be “Dunk-a-Lifeguard” dunk tank with three balls starting at $1, plus tubes available for $5. All proceeds will benefit Save Our Pool. Cost: $5 day of carnival, $3 advanced at Hugo’s and East Grand Forks Swimming Pool. Info: on.fb.me/1rJvpXe .
- Concert Nights at the Gazebo: Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and refreshments and enjoy outdoor concerts from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at the gazebo in Roseau (Minn.) Riverview Park. Upcoming bands include Tami and the Northern Lights Band on Aug. 7. Cost: Free. Info: rhetteen@wiktel.com .
- Bow hunting: Itasca State Park is offering an intro to bow-hunting program from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 8. This class is geared towards beginners and offers hands-on sessions focusing on basic archery instruction, tree stands and safety, types of equipment and more. Camp organizers recommend being prepared for standing in the sun and bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent and water. The minimum age for participants is 12, and those 12 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult. The camp will meet in the back lot of the Indian Mounts/North Picnic Grounds Parking Area. Cost: Free, but Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit required for entrance. Lunch provided. Register: (218) 699-7252 by Friday.
- Icelandic State Park Kids’ Weekend: Join Icelandic State Park Aug. 8 to 10 for an entire weekend totally devoted to kids. The park says there will be crafts, games, prizes, contests, entertainment and excitement. Info: (701) 265-4561 .
- Ox Cart Days: Crookston is preparing for its Ox Cart Days Aug. 13 to 17. This festival will feature a parade, RibFest cook-off, talent show, bounce house games, battle of the bands, an art show, 5K, firework show, marketplace, live entertainment and more. Info: on.fb.me/UvFvN4 .
