Your Guide to River Days: What You Need to Know

River Days, that annual fundraiser and showcase for the DuPage riverfront, will kick off Saturday morning in downtown Plainfield, and we’re here to make sure you’re prepared.

The gates open at 11 a.m. at Riverfront Park, 24321 W. Lockport St., located east of on the west side of downtown Plainfield.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

This year’s event features a “Taste of Plainfield” theme, putting the spotlight on local restaurants.

This year’s vendors are , Annabell’s Bar-B-Q, , , , ,  and .

Snack vendors will include ice cream from Good Humor Dave, plus smoothies and fried Twinkies and Oreos.

On Saturday, an after party is scheduled for 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at .

There will be plenty to see and do during the two-day fest, aimed at showcasing Plainfield’s riverfront and raising money and awareness for the . For a list of event sponsors, click here.

Here’s a roundup of events and important things to know heading into the weekend event. Event schedule information is also available on the River Days website.

Teams are still being recruited for River Days’ volleyball and bean bags tournaments.

The mud volleyball tournament is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, with a kids tournament for ages 10 to 14 at 11 a.m. and a competition for ages 15 and older at 1 p.m.

Volleyball is sponsored by Bart Homes. Registration is $20 per team, with all proceeds benefitting the Riverfront Foundation.

To register a volleyball team or for more information, click here. Winning teams will receive cash prizes.

On Sunday, it's time for the bean bags tournament. The cost to register is $40 per team. The tournament is from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. The first- through sixth-place teams will win cash prizes ranging from $850 to $50.  

To register for Sunday’s bags tournament, click here.

If team sports aren’t your thing but you’re still feeling adventurous, you can try “Freeballin’” — also known as zorbing — a sport that allows people to get inside a plastic sphere and roll downhill.

River Days will also offer Bingo from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, sponsored by newspaper and hosted by the Plainfield Rotary Club.

On Saturday, the winners of ’s competition will take the stage at River Days, showcasing their skills at 1 p.m. At noon Harvest Church Choir will take the stage.

Second Nature Band takes the main stage at 2 p.m., followed by Maxwell MoJo's Band at 3:15 p.m., Synapsis at 4:45 p.m., Barefoot Elephants at 5:45 p.m., Soul Motion at 7:15 p.m. and Five Guys Named Moe at 9 p.m.

Second stage performers include Karlie Traversa at 2 p.m., Dance Quest at 3 p.m., Danny Fox at 4 p.m. and Keegan Eich at 5:15 p.m.

Sunday’s lineup features Tut and the Blues Kings at 2 p.m., and We Laugh at Monsters at 4 p.m. and Thistle and Heather Scottish Dancers & Piper at 5 p.m. on the main stage. Second stage performers include Square Deal at 1 p.m., Ben Lerner Group at 2:15 p.m., Classy Motel at 3:15 p.m., Mainline at 4:15 p.m. and Altus at 5:15 p.m.

For a complete schedule of performers and events, click here.

This year’s River Days will include not one, but three duck races, sponsored by . A “Battle of the Businesses" race, slated for 4 p.m. Sunday, is just for Plainfield business owners, while the 1 p.m. “Who’s Got Class” duck race will earn a free pizza and bowling party for one lucky Plainfield elementary school class.

The main event will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday, when 3,000 ducks will be released into the DuPage River, giving one “lucky duck” the chance to win $50,000. Guaranteed prizes are as follows:

• First prize: $2,000
• Second prize: $1,000
• Third prize: $500
• Fourth prize: $100
• Fifth prize: $50

You can pre-order your ducks at Village Hall through the end of the day Friday, or by clicking here, with the prices as follows:

• 1 Duck - $5
• Quack Pack (6 ducks): $25
• A Flock of Ducks (12): 50 

After hot, dry weather forced the cancellation of the ’s pre-Fourth of July fireworks, the for 8:30 p.m. Saturday night, thanks to a partnership between the Riverfront Foundation and park district.

Organizers recommend bringing blankets and chairs for the fireworks. No coolers, pets or weapons will be allowed on site.

Viewing areas with simulcast sound will include the River Days site at Riverfront Park, located at 24321 W. Lockport St. on the west side of the riverfront in downtown Plainfield; and , 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive.

You can also catch the show from , 15629 S. Route 59, although the simulcast music will not be available at that location.

The fireworks will be launched from at dusk.

 are warning motorists to expect delays as roadways in and around Plainfield Central and downtown Plainfield could become congested Saturday night.

Fireworks parking will be available at both Plainfield Central at St. Mary Immaculate. Handicapped parking will also be available at PCHS.

Starting at 8 p.m., sections of Fort Beggs Drive, James Street and River Road will be closed until half an hour after the completion of the fireworks show.

Renwick Community Park and the south parking lot at Plainfield Central will be closed on Saturday to allow for setup of the fireworks show.

Police are reminding residents to expect longer than normal traffic delays and be on the lookout for increased pedestrian traffic in and around PCHS and along Route 59 on Saturday night.

A classic car show is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and a tractor display is on tap for 11 a.m. Sunday.

Arts and crafts vendors will also be at the fest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. 

There will be plenty for kids to do, too, thanks to the Kids Zone, sponsored by LEGOLAND.

Parents can pick up kids’ one-day wristbands for $6, which includes a train ride, unlimited visits to the petting zoo and inflatables, plus meet-and-greets with characters including the Mario Brothers, Ronald McDonald (Sunday only) and the LEGOLAND and mascots.

Two-day wristbands, good for both days of River Days, are $10 per child.

The first 3,000 children will receive a free kids meal voucher from Chili’s.

Wristbands are available only at River Days.

Re/Max will sponsor a hot air balloon liftoff at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Tethered rides are available from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Cost is $15 on site; discounted tickets for Sunday are available for $12 by clicking here.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the hot air balloon rides, and must be over 6 years of age. 

To avoid a long walk, organizers recommend parking at Riverfront Park. On-site parking at Riverfront Park is $5 per vehicle.

It’s free to park off site; parking is available at Village Hall, and Plainfield Central High School.