Boatnik Festival

Boatnik Festival brings Memorial Day weekend to life in Grants Pass with boat racing, a downtown parade, and a full-scale carnival at Riverside Park on the Rogue River. Your visit supports local youth through the Grants Pass Active Club, the nonprofit behind the event. Plan to spend time along the riverfront paths, where you can picnic under mature trees while watching the Tom Rice Memorial White Water Hydroplane Race and other on-water competitions.

You can expect a busy, family-friendly park by day and a strong evening crowd for the signature shows. Fireworks typically launch Friday and Sunday at about 9:45 PM, reflecting off the river. Monday closes on a more formal note with a Memorial Day service, including a military jet flyover and a 21-gun salute, before the festival’s final race action.

A quick schedule snapshot helps you plan: Thursday opens with the Davis Shows Carnival at 2:00 PM. Friday adds a golf shoot out, a corn hole tournament, and live music. Saturday starts with the Boatnik parade through downtown Grants Pass, followed by Brewfest. Sunday wraps the golf shoot out and brings the second fireworks night, and Monday serves as the finale with the hydroplane race and Memorial Day service.

For a smoother day, arrive early Saturday to claim a good parade-viewing spot. Entry to Riverside Park is free, but carnival rides require tickets or a daily armband, and Brewfest requires its own ticket. Wear comfortable shoes and bring layers for the river breeze, use shuttles to avoid parking congestion, and carry sunscreen plus a reusable water bottle. No dogs are permitted inside Riverside Park during the festival, and accessible parking is available on East Park Street on a first come basis. For lodging, stay downtown for easy walks to the river and park, or check Lake.com for additional regional options near the water.