Dustin and Dominique Luecke chosen to “anchor” 2025 Riverfest as Commodore and First Mate

With the latest news on this year’s choice for Commodore of La Crosse’s Riverfest, let’s go to Channel 19’s Dustin Luecke…because he IS the new Commodore for 2025.

Dustin and Dominique Luecke were introduced as the new Commodore and First Mate for Riverfest during a ceremony at the Celebrations on the River venue on French Island. The Lueckes are familiar faces to many area residents. Dustin has been a reporter and anchor at WXOW-TV for 15 years, and Dominique is an advancement and grant specialist at the Family and Children’s Center, who also has been on the staff of the Pump House. Both have appeared in area theater productions, together and separately.

The parents of three children, the Lueckes have some personal connections to La Crosse’s 4th of July festival. Dustin’s first assignment at WXOW was to cover the opening day of Riverfest. He also proposed to Dominique in Riverside Park. Dustin calls the honor “kind of surreal,” saying he was approached about the Commodore role in December, after being invited to a meeting about the Commodore Foundation’s Kids in Need program. He told the staffers he would have to ask Dominique about it, and she says that was “the easiest decision, that took maybe two seconds.”

The Lueckes say some of their favorite Riverfest attractions are the food, the music, and the fireworks. Not among their favorites? The occasional swarm of mayflies.

They will officially assume the Commodore and First Mate titles on June 10th, during the Commodore Dinner at the Radisson. La Crosse’s 42nd Riverfest happens Wednesday, July 2nd through Saturday, July 5th.