The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project invites you to REC Fest – the largest recreation and safety festival in the Riverbend! Kick off the summer season with your family at the National Great Rivers Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at this FREE, adventure-themed event (rain or shine).

“Our goal with this exciting event is to encourage families to explore outdoor recreational opportunities and nature while learning how to go about them safely,” says Park Ranger and Event Coordinator Travis Smith. “This event has grown over the years to include more adventure stations. From archery and hiking, to weather safety and fishing skills, there will be plenty for you and your family to test out and learn.”

With over 25 partnering organizations providing fun, interactive activities, you are sure to find to something new! Climb the rock wall with Upper Limits Rock Gym & Pro Shop, see the stars with The Nature Institute’s Mobile Planetarium, see what it takes to hit a bullseye with the National Park Service, and so much more! At lunch, take a break from the action to refuel with great food from local food vendors, before getting back into the fun!

Start your adventure off at the Welcome Tent, where you can pick up a REC Fest passport! Take your passport to at least 10 stations to get a free prize bag – and if you are one of the first 100 to turn one in, you will also receive a free River Dragons baseball game ticket, good for any home game!

Starting at 11:30 a.m., come visit with your favorite mascots, including FREDBIRD^® of the St. Louis Cardinals, Blazer the Newfie from Lewis and Clark Community College, Bobber the Water Safety Dog from the Corps of Engineers, and more!

Visit the classroom at the National Great Rivers Museum for a night sky program in the Mobile Planetarium, hosted by David Schiber from The Nature Institute! These 10-minute shows will be held every 20 minutes, starting at 11:30 a.m., and will give participants a general overview of the night sky, including some easy-to-find constellations.

In the National Great Rivers Museum Theater, watch a free live animal show by Bob Tarter of NHECM: Animalogy to learn about the special adaptations animals develop for survival! These live shows will be held at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.

View the Mississippi River from 80 feet above on a tour of Melvin Price Locks and Dam! Join one of our expert tour guides to learn what it takes to keep trade moving on the Mississippi River. Tours leave every 30 minutes, starting at 10:00 a.m. Register at the National Great Rivers Museum front desk.

Have an adventurous 4th grader in the family? 4th grade students that visit at least 10 stations with their REC Fest passport can receive a FREE Every Kid Outdoors Pass: an America the Beautiful pass option that grants students and their families FREE admission to all National Parks and public lands! What better way to start the summer?

We would like thanks Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery, Bass Pro Shops, Upper Limits Rock Gym & Pro Shop and Alton River Dragons for their support of REC Fest.