Entertainment

Commodores and First Mates launch 40th Riverfest for La Crosse

Published

10 months ago

June 30, 2023

The 40th annual Riverfest has begun a five-day run on La Crosse’s riverfront.

This year’s Commodore Jake Erickson and First Mate Jessie led past Riverfest royalty in raising the flag at Riverside Park Friday morning. They spoke about the 4th of July festival as an occasion for area families to come together.

Jake and Jessie Erickson are the Riverfest royalty for 2023

There are fireworks at 9:45 on Friday night, between shows by the Pat Watters Band and Cooper Alan. Fireworks also will be back along the river on Tuesday, the 4th.

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.