LOCAL 10: Rivertown Days begins, scam awareness and weekend planning
The Canadian wildfires are visible from Hastings, Minnesota. Photo by Ashley Media
Today’s Hastings list covers two free Rivertown Days kickoff events, festival transportation, a scam-awareness presentation, donation changes and other useful dates ahead.
Weather companion
Hastings will be mostly sunny, hot and smoky on Thursday, July 16, with a high near 91°F and a heat index near 96°F. An Extreme Heat Warning and Air Quality Alert remain active, so review today’s Hastings Weather + On This Date before making outdoor plans.
Thursday brings the first Rivertown Days activities, several time-sensitive community notices and information that can help residents prepare for the weekend.
Here are ten verified local updates for Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Top 3 Today
AI infographic by HastingsNow.com
1. Free Hastings presentation helps residents recognize and report scams
Benedictine Living Community-Regina will host a free public presentation about recognizing, stopping and reporting scams from 2:30–3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16. The presentation will be held in the Community Room at 1008 First Street W in Hastings.
The event is open to the public and is designed to help residents protect themselves and others from fraudulent activity. Review the official presentation details from Benedictine Living Community-Regina before attending.
2. Rivertown Days opens Thursday with two free community events
Hastings Rivertown Days begins Thursday, July 16, with two free public activities at separate locations.
A community appreciation picnic is scheduled from 4:30–7 p.m. at the LeDuc Historic Estate. The Antique Fire Engine Light Show follows from 7–10 p.m. at Hastings Golf Club.
A free trolley is scheduled to travel between the two locations during the picnic. Because the activities have different locations and operating hours, review the official Rivertown Days schedule before heading out.
3. Review Rivertown Days admission and Saturday transportation before heading downtown
The main gated portion of Rivertown Days operates Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, in downtown Hastings. Children ages 12 and younger receive free admission under the festival’s current admission information.
Free Saturday park-and-ride transportation is scheduled from Fleet Farm beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing until approximately 11:15 p.m.
The festival FAQ and event schedule show slightly different times for the transition between trolley and coach service. Rather than relying on a precise transfer time, residents should check the current Rivertown Days admission and transportation information before traveling downtown.
Quick Hits
4. Beloved Boutique offers storewide Rivertown Days discounts Thursday evening
Beloved Boutique says it will be open from 4–8 p.m. Thursday, July 16, in downtown Hastings.
The retailer is promoting merchandise at 50% off storewide, along with a backroom sale offering five items for $50. Sizes and available merchandise may become limited as inventory sells, so customers should review the Beloved Boutique sale announcement for the current details.
5. Hastings Family Service pauses clothing and household donations Friday and Saturday
Hastings Family Service and Rivertown Treasures will remain open during their posted hours Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, but they will not accept clothing or household donations on those two days.
Donation intake is expected to resume Monday. The pause applies specifically to clothing and household goods and should not be interpreted as a suspension of every type of donation.
Residents planning a drop-off can review the official Hastings Family Service calendar.
6. Free Rivertown Days Arts and Crafts Fair runs Saturday and Sunday
The Rivertown Days Arts and Crafts Fair is scheduled from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, at Jaycee Park.
The fair is open to the public, sits outside the main gated festival area and does not require a Rivertown Days wristband. That access information applies to the Jaycee Park fair and should not be assumed for every downtown festival area.
Check the official Rivertown Days schedule for current information.
7. Hastings school-assistance registration opens August 3
Hastings Family Service will begin accepting school-supply assistance registrations by phone on Monday, August 3. Distribution is scheduled for August 17–21.
The program serves families who live within or attend school in Independent School District 200.
A children’s vaccination clinic is also scheduled from 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday, August 17. Families should review the clinic’s eligibility requirements and possible costs through the official Hastings Family Service school-assistance information.
8. July donations to Hastings Family Service receive a proportional match
Donations made to Hastings Family Service through Friday, July 31, will share proportionally in the organization’s Open Your Heart summer matching grant.
This is a proportional matching pool rather than a guaranteed dollar-for-dollar match for each individual donation. Residents considering a contribution can read the official Hastings Family Service matching-grant announcement.
9. Friday recovery meeting welcomes participants from all pathways
Rise Up Recovery’s All Recovery Meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, July 17, at 507 Vermillion Street in Hastings.
The meeting is open to people following any recovery pathway. Residents seeking support can learn more through Rise Up Recovery.
10. Hastings opens National Night Out neighborhood registration
Hastings residents may now register neighborhood gatherings for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4.
The city’s public gathering is scheduled from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Lions Park, 1043 Fifth Street W. Neighborhood and block-party organizers should understand that registration does not guarantee a visit from a specific city department.
Review the official City of Hastings National Night Out information to register or learn more.
If you only click one
Use the official Rivertown Days FAQ to review admission and transportation before the busiest festival activities begin Friday and Saturday. It is the most broadly useful link for residents deciding when to arrive, where to park and how to move between festival areas.
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