Rally by the River Days is back and better than ever! Kick off the weekend Friday night with the ringing of the Historic Town Hall Bell, live music with Eric "Tater" Edwards, Dougaritas, Live street artist Teeth, and a performance of "Once Upon a Mattress." Saturday brings the Parade, Chicken dinner, Kids' activities, a Rubber Duck Race, Plein Air artists, and more! Sunday wraps up with food trucks, the Puppy Parade, Cardboard Boat Regatta, and final showings of "Once Upon a Mattress." Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Grand Rapids photo for a chance to be featured in our 2026 Calendar! It’s a weekend of fun, photos, and surprises you won’t want to miss!
🦆 Quack Off the Weekend! | Friday, July 11 | 5–8:30PM | Wright Pavilion
Waddle into the weekend and join us at the scenic Wright Pavilion as we kick off Rally by the River Days in style! Nestle along the historic towpath for an evening of music, art, and riverside fun—with proceeds benefiting the Grand Rapids Arts Council. 🎶 Live music by Eric “Tater” Edwards
🎨 Live painting by Toledo artist Teeth
🍴 Delicious eats from local legends Fernando’s and Snyder’s
🍷 A quacktastic wine pull
🥏 Mini disc golf challenge (for those with serious wing-span skills)
🍹 Sip on Dougaritas, cold brews, or refreshing Elderberry Lemonade from Heban’s 🧺 Leave your cooler at home, but don’t forget your favorite chair. Whether you’re grooving, snacking, or trying your luck at the wine pull, it’s going to be a bill-illiant start to the weekend!
🎭 "Once Upon a Mattress" at the Town Hall
Friday, July 11 @ 7PM
Saturday, July 12 @ 7PM
Sunday, July 13 @ 2PM
Ready for a royally quacky good time? Paddle over to the historic Town Hall for this year’s Rally by the River stage production: Once Upon a Mattress—a hilarious twist on the classic fairytale, brought to life by our talented local performers!
This long-time crowd favorite is packed with laughs, love, and maybe even a few feathers. With three chances to catch the show, there’s no excuse to miss it!
🎟️ Tickets available at the door—first come, first served, so get there early before the nest fills up!
Friday, July 11 @ 7PM
Saturday, July 12 @ 7PM
Sunday, July 13 @ 2PM
Ready for a royally quacky good time? Paddle over to the historic Town Hall for this year’s Rally by the River stage production: Once Upon a Mattress—a hilarious twist on the classic fairytale, brought to life by our talented local performers!
This long-time crowd favorite is packed with laughs, love, and maybe even a few feathers. With three chances to catch the show, there’s no excuse to miss it!
🎟️ Tickets available at the door—first come, first served, so get there early before the nest fills up!
🦆 All Ducked Out!!! Parade | Saturday, July 12 | 10AM
Grab your feathers and fluff up your float—it's time for the All Ducked Out!!! Parade! Part of Rally by the River, this waddling spectacle is your chance to show off your duckiest creativity. Whether you’ve got a truck, car, boat, golf cart, bike—or something totally wild—if you can ride it, you can quack it up and join the parade! We want to see duck beaks, flippers, floaties, and flair. The more over-the-top, the better. 🐥 Parade steps off at 10AM sharp
🎉 All ages welcome—bring the whole flock
📋 Want in? Register your entry [here] (link to be added under details) Let’s make this the most duck-lightful parade Grand Rapids has ever seen!
🎨 Rockin’ & Quackin’ Kids Craft | Saturday, July 12 | 11AM–2PM | Old Fire Station
Calling all little ducklings! 🐣 Waddle over to the Old Fire Station for a rock-solid good time with the Grand Rapids Arts Council. Kids can paint their own decorative rocks—bright, bold, and maybe even duck-themed, of course!
Whether you’re adding googly eyes, feathers, or just splashing on some color, it’s the perfect way to get creative and make a keepsake from Rally by the River.
🖌️ All supplies provided
🦆 No experience necessary—just bring your imagination!
Let’s make some “egg-cellent” art together!
Calling all little ducklings! 🐣 Waddle over to the Old Fire Station for a rock-solid good time with the Grand Rapids Arts Council. Kids can paint their own decorative rocks—bright, bold, and maybe even duck-themed, of course!
Whether you’re adding googly eyes, feathers, or just splashing on some color, it’s the perfect way to get creative and make a keepsake from Rally by the River.
🖌️ All supplies provided
🦆 No experience necessary—just bring your imagination!
Let’s make some “egg-cellent” art together!
🦆 Buck-a-Duck Rubber Duck Race | Saturday, July 12 | 3PM | Town Hall Park Bridge
They're back and ready to splash! 🐥 Adopt your lucky duck for just $1 and cheer it on as 2,500 rubber ducks race down the canal in one of Rally by the River’s most beloved events!
🌊 Head to select Downtown Grand Rapids Shoppes to grab your duck numbers, then flock to the Town Hall Park Bridge for the big drop and cheer like a true duck parent.
🎉 10 prizes total — including a $300 cash grand prize for the fastest floater!
Will your duck paddle its way to glory? There’s only one way to find out--quack in, pick a number, and let’s race!
They're back and ready to splash! 🐥 Adopt your lucky duck for just $1 and cheer it on as 2,500 rubber ducks race down the canal in one of Rally by the River’s most beloved events!
🌊 Head to select Downtown Grand Rapids Shoppes to grab your duck numbers, then flock to the Town Hall Park Bridge for the big drop and cheer like a true duck parent.
🎉 10 prizes total — including a $300 cash grand prize for the fastest floater!
Will your duck paddle its way to glory? There’s only one way to find out--quack in, pick a number, and let’s race!
🌽 Corn Hole on the Towpath | Saturday, July 12 | 4PM–?
Get your tossin’ wings ready—it’s time for the First Annual Corn Hole Tournament at Rally by the River! 🦆 Grab a partner and waddle down to the scenic towpath for some friendly competition, cold beer, and good eats.
Whether you're a seasoned slinger or just here for the snacks, it's all about the fun—and maybe a little bragging rights.
🍔 Food & beer by Wildside Grand Rapids
🎯 Bags fly at 4PM sharp
🥇 Prizes, laughter, and lots of ducking around
So stretch those tail feathers and bring your A-game—this is one corny competition you don’t want to miss!
Get your tossin’ wings ready—it’s time for the First Annual Corn Hole Tournament at Rally by the River! 🦆 Grab a partner and waddle down to the scenic towpath for some friendly competition, cold beer, and good eats.
Whether you're a seasoned slinger or just here for the snacks, it's all about the fun—and maybe a little bragging rights.
🍔 Food & beer by Wildside Grand Rapids
🎯 Bags fly at 4PM sharp
🥇 Prizes, laughter, and lots of ducking around
So stretch those tail feathers and bring your A-game—this is one corny competition you don’t want to miss!
🛶 3rd Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta | Sunday, July 13 | 1PM
Quack your way to glory in one of Rally by the River’s most entertaining spectacles—the Cardboard Boat Regatta! From quirky canoes to full-blown floating masterpieces, anything (cardboard) goes!
Will your duck-oration skills keep you afloat—or will your vessel sink faster than a soggy sandwich? Either way, it’s all part of the fun!
🎨 Boats can be shaped like guitars, ambulances, battleships—you name it!
🌊 Creativity is encouraged. Waterproofing? Strongly encouraged.
🦆 Life jackets are REQUIRED (but not provided—bring your own!)
👀 Great fun for spectators, too!
Let your imagination set sail—and may the most unsinkable duck win!
Puppy Parade Sunday July 13th at 4:30 pm
A parade sure to melt your hearts and lift your spirits! Join us as we showcase some of the cutest, fluffiest, and most charming puppies around! We will meet in the park by Town Hall, head East to the Mill House, over to the Towpath and back to the park for Puppy awards and snacks! Please join us as we celebrate our fury friends, who bring endless joy, wagging tails, and boundless energy into our lives! It will be a paw-some time!!! Stick around after for a few fun games for the pups (and you). Prizes will be handed out in the following categories: Most obedient, best parent/pup dress up, Oldest pup and more!
Please keep in mind there will be a crowd at this event. If your pup does not react well to crowds or people, this parade may not be a good fit. Remember, safety first!
A parade sure to melt your hearts and lift your spirits! Join us as we showcase some of the cutest, fluffiest, and most charming puppies around! We will meet in the park by Town Hall, head East to the Mill House, over to the Towpath and back to the park for Puppy awards and snacks! Please join us as we celebrate our fury friends, who bring endless joy, wagging tails, and boundless energy into our lives! It will be a paw-some time!!! Stick around after for a few fun games for the pups (and you). Prizes will be handed out in the following categories: Most obedient, best parent/pup dress up, Oldest pup and more!
Please keep in mind there will be a crowd at this event. If your pup does not react well to crowds or people, this parade may not be a good fit. Remember, safety first!