River races return to St. Joe during Riverfest weekend in Jonesville

JONESVILLE — For many, this year's Riverfest weekend in downtown Jonesville looked different.

The annual Cruise In car show took over Water Street freeing up space in Carl Fast Park for vendors to move off the sidewalks along U.S. 12 where a number of food trucks staged.

The greatest change came at the St. Joe River where dozens lined the banks to watch the return of the annual river races which were canceled during the onset of COVID-19.

The crew from Ramshackle Brewing Co., a brewery in downtown Jonesville near the river, fought to "put the river back in Riverfest" this year and organized a river cleanup prior to the event.

Zack Biglow, the owner of Ramshackle Brewing and a member of the Jonesville Business Association, said the event, which started 50 years ago in 1974, was started as a way to encourage people to be on the St. Joe River and be better stewards of the waterway with its headwaters growing from Baw Beese Lake in Hillsdale.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Biglow and his crew reenergized the "Anything That Floats River Race" and spearheaded organizing efforts while others organized the annual Cruise In and vendor show.

Spectators and festival goers enjoyed the return of the river races.

Subscribe Now:For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.

"It really continues the legacy of the Riverfest founders and captures their original intent," said John Hoxtader, a former resident of Jonesville who visited his hometown for the festivities. "I remember coming down here with my brothers and sister as a kid and now here I am bringing my own kids to Riverfest."

Riverfest was the first of many smaller community festivals scheduled this year throughout Hillsdale County.

The Leighr A. Wright American Legion Post 53 of Hillsdale is opening its doors to the public June 7-9 for its annual Baw Beese Bash festival which will include a Cruise In car show on June 7 and antique steamboats trolling Baw Beese Lake on June 8.

— Contact Reporter Corey Murray atcmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.