Riverfest four-day celebration kicks off on July 4

For the last three years, La Crosse’s Riverfest has ended on the July 4.

But when the Fourth falls on a Wednesday, then that becomes opening day of the celebration at Riverside Park.

The first day of this year’s fest will begin with early-morning running races and will be capped off by fireworks.

The 2018 Commodore, Matt Binsfeld, believes he’s the first Commodore who wasn’t a grown-up yet when Riverfest began. Binsfeld says the things he likes about the festival have changed over the decades.

“In high school in the 90s it was a gathering place,” he said. “In the 2000s, it was a place for friends to get back together.”

Binsfeld says he and his wife Megan enjoy watching the fireworks — shot from Pettibone Park — while boating on the river. That could be a problem this year, though.

The Mississippi River is still above the 10-foot no wake zone and may not drop below 10 feet until after Riverfest is over.

Riverfest runs through Saturday. Check out the schedule here.

Country star Chris Lane performs Thursday night. One new activity to see will be Xtreme Team Basketball.