Those in search of something to do this weekend will not have trouble finding it in Niles.

A variety of different events will take place this weekend in conjunction with the city’s annual Riverfest celebration Friday through Sunday.

In addition to the traditional dragon boat races on Saturday morning, the festival will feature a 5K run/1 mile walk along the trail Friday night, an open house for the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological site, live music in the amphitheater, YMCA fitness fun in the park and a scavenger hunt at the Niles History Center, to name a few things.

“It will be a really cool and fun weekend,” said Lisa Croteau, program manager for Niles Main Street. “It is different from the Riverfests before, but that is not a bad thing. It will give people a chance to explore the town and have some fun.”

The weekend kicks off with the inaugural Bridge Bash Dash at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater. Those participating in the 5K or one-mile run or walk will receive a packet containing lighted shoelaces and glowsticks to light up the night during the event. The course will start at the north end of Riverfront Park and head south along the river before traveling back north again.

When the race is over, people can watch a free movie (“Grease”) in Riverfront Park or enjoy live music by the One Headlight Out band at the amphitheater.

Saturday gets going with dragon boat races in the morning, followed the YMCA’s eighth annual Day in the Park event, which includes free fitness classes at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater. There will be an inflatable water slide, bounce house and other family-friendly activities.

For the more adventurous, an open house will take place at the Fort St. Joseph archaeological dig site in south Riverfront Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A business expo will also take place at south Riverfront Park during the open house Saturday.

The Sixth Generation will wrap things up Saturday night with a concert from 6 to 8 p.m. in Riverfront Park.

Croteau said raft races will not return this year due to a lack of volunteers to run the event. She said volunteers are needed to make the event happen and anyone interested in helping next year should contact Niles Main Street at 687-4332.

RIVERFEST SCHEDULE
Friday
7 to 9:30 p.m. — One Headlight Out concert at Riverfront Park Amphitheater
7 p.m. — Bridge Bash Dash registration at Riverfront Park Amphitheater
8:30 p.m. — Bridge Bash Dash starts at Riverfront Park
9:30 p.m. — Movie in the Park: “Grease” at Riverfront Park behind Wonderland Cinema
Evening — Dragon boat practice

Saturday
7:45 a.m. — Dragon boat race at Riverfront Park boat dock
8 a.m. — Youth volleyball tournament at Riverfront Park
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — YMCA Day in the Park at Riverfront Park
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Chapin Mansion tour and scavenger hunt
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Fort St. Joseph Museum games and crafts
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Fort St. Joseph Archaeological site open house at south Riverfront Park
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Business and consumer expo at south Riverfront Park
11 a.m. — Ice cream social at Niles District Library
Noon to 4 p.m. — Food provided by Boy Scouts Troop 579 at south Riverfront Park
2 p.m. — Cornhole at Massimo’s Pizza downtown
6 to 8 p.m. — Sixth Generation concert at Riverfront Park Amphitheater
All day — Sidewalk sales in downtown Niles
All day — Living history performances at south Riverfront Park
All day — Elephant ears and lemonade shakeups at Riverfront Park

Sunday
8 a.m. — Adult volleyball tournament at Riverfront Park
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Fort St. Joseph Archaeological site open house at south Riverfront Park