St. Charles' RiverFest Starts Thursday—Here's the Schedule of Events

Our friendly neighbors to the north present their summer festival this weekend, providing a nice warm-up to the granddaddy of Illinois festivals, Swedish Days, a couple weeks later.

There are so many things planned for this weekend's RiverFest in St. Charles, there's nothing else to do than list them all so you can "fill the dance card" and get it all in.

First of all, download the Festival Guide from the Pride of the Fox website and also a festival map so you can find everything. 

The Riverview Carnival, on Route 31 north of Main Street, opens on Thursday, June 7 from 1 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can take advantage of special discounts with the wristband specials on Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m. and on Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. where $20 per person gets you unlimited rides during those times. 

Lincoln Park will be open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with nonstop activities going on all day, including a Picasso tent, fantasy face art, a petting zoo, science demos, a bookmobile, inflatables and plenty of food. You can play all day!

Friday, June 8, at the Gazebo Stage, Lincoln Park

11 a.m. Duet Dance Academy, Inc.

12 p.m. Ice Cream Eating Contest

2 p.m. Bill Cho Tae Kwon Do

3 p.m. Storytellers

4p.m. Dance Dynamics The “Originals” LIVE MUSIC

5 p.m. Between Planes

5:40 p.m. Pete Jive

6:15 p.m. Overman

Dusk Movie Night Under the Stars on the Gazebo Stage — How To Train Your Dragon

Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, Pottawatomie Park

Dragon Boat Racing returns and is a sanctioned event with the United States Dragon Boat Federation. Come and cheer for your favorite team.

8 a.m. Awakening The Dragon Ceremony (both days)

8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dragon Boat Racing & Awards Ceremony

1 p.m. Water Ski Show featuring the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team

Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10, Third and Cedar Streets

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 'Rods by the River, featuring pre-1963 hotrods

Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10, Gazebo Stage, Lincoln Park

11 a.m. Bingo with a TWIST! Prizes for ALL

12 p.m. Trivia with a TWIST! More prizes!

1 p.m. Phil Munton — Children's songs

3 p.m.  Storytellers

4 p.m. Bill Cho Tae Kwon Do Demos

5 p.m. Greg Boerner

5:35 p.m. Small Potatoes

6:15 p.m. Ry Petermann Band

5 p.m. Dana French (Sunday only)

Also, Fox Valley Robotics & Lego Playland, Business Showcase, Commercial Exhibits, Inflatables, Laser Tag, Food Court

Friday, June 8 through Sunday, June 10

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the beach — Come see a 40-ton fantasy sand sculpture being created all weekend by nine-time World Record holder, Ted Siebert. Play in the giant sandbox, have a snack.

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Crafting on the Fox is open all weekend. Start walking down the Fox River and visit our talented crafters behind the Municipal Center and along the River Walk.

Rockin' the Main Stage — FREE live entertainment

Friday, June 8

6 p.m. Printers Row (2011 Battle of the Bands Winner)

7:15 p.m. Soda

8:30 p.m. Infinity

Saturday, June 9

12 p.m. Battle of the Bands — Watch these students from elementary school to college compete to win the chance to open the Main Stage in 2013!

6 p.m. Home Wreckers

8 p.m. Libido Funk Circus

Sunday, June 10

12 p.m. The Voice of St. Charles Locals compete in three age categories

2:30 p.m. Leslie Hunt (American Idol Top 10)

4 p.m. Billy Croft & the 5 Alarm

6 p.m. Dirty Dan’s Cool Rockin’ Daddies

And there's even more! So check the Festival Guide for more details.