Empire State Review Contributor 
Community excitement in the Great Lakes Bay Region is building as the River Days Festival prepares to return to downtown Midland’s riverfront from Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3, 2025. Highlighted in the region’s July 25 community calendar, the festival promises a packed lineup of hot air balloon activities, canoeing, live music, and family-friendly attractions, with more summer performances to follow throughout September.
Hot air balloon activities are a centerpiece of the celebration. The event opens Thursday with Main Street Glow, a unique nighttime display of illuminated balloon baskets along Main Street from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Visitors will have the chance to view the balloon rigs up close and enjoy accompanying music provided by Sound Productions.
Friday brings the first Mass Balloon Ascension at Chippewassee Park, scheduled around sunrise from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m., with another launch anticipated at dusk around 7:00 p.m. The day concludes with another glow display. Sunday morning features competitive balloon flights, offering visitors one more chance to witness these colorful crafts in action.
On Saturday, the festival invites attendees to join Voyageur canoe paddles on the Tittabawassee and Chippewa Rivers. Guided by Chippewa Nature Center staff, these trips depart from the dock at The Tridge and are open to anyone age 3 and older, with minors accompanied by an adult. The sessions are free and accessible for families and casual adventurers alike.
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Live entertainment will fill multiple stages throughout the weekend. Festivalgoers can catch performances from acts such as Atomic Annie, Starfarm, Tony Thompson & Friends, and a live podcast recording of Max Loves Midland at the Bob Johns Stage. Additional attractions include a silent disco, taco-eating contest, veterans’ tug-of-war, a cheeseburger fundraiser, historical exhibits, and a kids’ zone. A fireworks show on Saturday night caps off the weekend’s events.
The downtown atmosphere continues with The Commons Live Music Series, which runs every Friday and Saturday night through September 27. Held on the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at Main and McDonald Streets, concerts take place from 7 to 9 p.m., with select shows extended to 11 p.m. Recent performers included Freak Daddy and Ghost Town Marshalls, with Stone Street Revival scheduled for August 1.
Organized by the Midland Area Community Foundation and supported by Fisher Companies and the Downtown Development Authority, River Days has become a celebrated tradition that reflects Midland’s commitment to community engagement, recreation, and cultural expression. With a growing array of art, nature, and heritage activities, the festival welcomes all ages to enjoy the city’s riverfront and historic downtown in a festive summer setting.
