Community Corner

Utica Riverwalk Festival: What You Need to Know

The Utica Riverwalk Festival in downtown Utica features multiple music stages, fireworks, petting zoo and a rubber piggy race this weekend.

The Utica Riverwalk Festival heads into a weekend full of events for families, outdoor enthusiasts, music lovers and more.

Here are some important facts and information about the festival:

Road closures

  • Auburn from Utica to Cass will be closed from 5 p.m. Friday - 6 p.m. Sunday
  • Cass between Summers and the alley behind the Lockerroom Saloon  5 p.m. Friday - 6 p.m. Sunday
Friday events
  • Carnival 3 p.m. - midnight
  • Petting zoo 5-10 p.m.
  • Kids bike parade: Children up to sixth grade can bring their decorated bicycles to Memorial Park for the 6 p.m. parade. The parade will proceed through the tunnel, over the bridge past senior housing and back to Memorial Park.
  • Balloon launch 7 p.m.
  • The Meldrum Brothers Band will play on from 8:30 - midnight on the main stage.
  • Andy and the Pandys will play the community stage at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed at 9 p.m. by David Gerald.
Saturday events
  • Carnival noon - midnight
  • Old Mill Art and Crafts Show from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.  in Grant Park. The show will feature a crafts area, food court and the Detroit Institute of Arts. New artists with unique mediums including wood-working and jewelry from parrot feathers will be taking part in the event.
  • Petting zoo noon - 10 p.m.
  • Canoe races 4 p.m. on the Clinton River from Ryan road to Utica Library
  • Rubber piggy race 4:30 p.m.
  • Community stage entertainment
  • 1 p.m.  Downtown 5
  • 3:30 p.m.  Sympathy Orchestra
  • 5 p.m.  Trey Simon
  • 6 p.m. In Color
  • 7:30 p.m. The Directive
  • 9 p.m.  Rival Summers
  • Main stage entertainment
    • Noon Diablo IL’ Gatos
    • 4:30 p.m. Joey Vee Band
    • 8:30 p.m. Monkey Grinder Band
  • Fireworks at 10 p.m. Organizers have posted a parking and viewing map.
  • Sunday events
    • Carnival noon - 8 p.m.
    • Classic car show and parade in downtown Utica. Check-in from 10 - 11 a.m. at the American Legion Hall, 46146 Cass Ave. followed by parade at 11:15 a.m. to downtown 
    • Old Mill Art and Crafts Show from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  in Grant Park. The show will feature a crafts area, food court and the Detroit Institute of Arts. New artists with unique mediums including wood-working and jewelry from parrot feathers will be taking part in the event.
    • Petting zoo noon - 8 p.m.
    • There will be a performance by a three-piece jazz ensemble from the Macomb Symphony Orchestra from 1- 3 p.m. in Memorial Park. Jammin' Jerry will play from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. during the car show.
    Businesses will also have booths set up along Auburn Road during the festival


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