3-DAY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

MAY 30-JUNE 1, 2025

SUMMER BEGINS HERE

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IDLEWILD AWAITS

MORE GRASS, MORE SHADE, MORE SPACE

The Reno River Festival kicks off summer May 30th – June 1st at its new, temporary home at Idlewild Park. The signature Northern Nevada event will feature all the community’s favorite experiences, including three days of live music, drink experiences, food, shopping, rafting, and rides – plus exciting new elements for 2025.

“Idlewild Park was the obvious choice for us,” says Neil Horning, partner at Liquid Blue Events. “It has so many of the same elements as Wingfield Park for a summer celebration. It has grass, lots of trees for shade, and its right by the river. The space also allows us to add some new experiences to the festival.”

RiverFest has taken place in downtown Reno’s Wingfield Park since it began in 2003. The temporary move to Idlewild Park is due to the Arlington Bridges Project. Wingfield Park is closed as crews replace the two nearly century-old Arlington Avenue Bridges that have become structurally deficient. The project is also looking to enhance community access to the Truckee River and Wingfield Park. Once the project is complete, the Reno River Festival will return to Wingfield Park.

“We are looking forward to the revitalization of the area and what it means for the future of the festival and for our community,” say Horning.

ABOUT IDLEWILD PARK

Idlewild Park is a 49-acre Reno park located along the Truckee River. The park is home to a number of facilities including the California Building, the Sensory Garden at Idlewild Park, the Rose Garden at Idlewild Park, and the 53rd Whispering Giant sculpture carved by Peter Wolf Toth. Idlewild features a number of amenities including year-round restrooms, playgrounds, a skate park, volleyball court, baseball/softball fields, swimming pool, exercise area, water play feature, rentable shelters, pathways, bike path, picnic shelters, barbecue area, and tables/benches.

Idlewild was once just a few ranches owned by Bennett, Murray, and Ferris. In 1907, the property was purchased by James Newlands (nephew of former US Senator Francis Newlands). In 1921, the City of Reno purchased this property from Newlands for $23,500.

There used to be a fish hatchery in Idlewild Park as well as carnival rides, an ice skating pond, a zoo, and (reportedly) Mark Twain’s cabin.

ABOUT THE ARLINGTON BRIDGES PROJECT

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC), in cooperation with the City of Reno and with the participation of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering (USACE), and the Carson-Truckee Water Conservancy District (CTWCD), is proceeding with replacing the two nearly century-old Arlington Avenue Bridges that have become structurally deficient. The project is located within the City of Reno between Island Avenue and West First Street, including the roadway through Wingfield Park. Proving access over the Truckee River and to the natural island of Wingfield Park, a single pier North Bridge will replace the existing two-pier structure, and the South Bridge will remain a clear span structure.

ARLINGTON AVENUE BRIDGES PROJECT