Boatnik 2026
Boatnik is an annual festival held in Riverside Park in Grants Pass, Oregon over Memorial Day Weekend for more than 60 years. There is no admission to attend Boatnik and there are many activities and shows for all ages. There are additional activities available for purchase including the Davis Shows Carnival, concert, and Boatnik Brewfest. The best part...ALL of the proceeds from the event are donated throughout the year to children and youth-based organizations in Josephine County!
The activities start Thursday evening with the Davis Shows Carnival featuring food, rides, games and family fun. The excitement continues Friday with the concert, a spectacular fireworks display on the river, midway vendors, and the carnival. Saturday morning features the well-known Boatnik parade that travels through downtown Grants Pass and ends at Riverside Park. Throughout the weekend the festivities continue in the park where there are a whirlwind of activities that include: Sprint and Drag boat racing, carnival rides, arts and crafts, children's activities, Bingo, food vendors, Monday Sundaes, the Boatnik Brewfest, the Chevy Drive It Home Golf Shoot Out and a second night of patriotic fireworks. Monday is the highlight of Boatnik featuring the World Famous Tom Rice Memorial White Water Hydroplane Race, and the Memorial Day Service including a jet flyover.
Thousands of locals and visitors from around the world come to share the tradition and unique experience of Boatnik.
The activities start Thursday evening with the Davis Shows Carnival featuring food, rides, games and family fun. The excitement continues Friday with the concert, a spectacular fireworks display on the river, midway vendors, and the carnival. Saturday morning features the well-known Boatnik parade that travels through downtown Grants Pass and ends at Riverside Park. Throughout the weekend the festivities continue in the park where there are a whirlwind of activities that include: Sprint and Drag boat racing, carnival rides, arts and crafts, children's activities, Bingo, food vendors, Monday Sundaes, the Boatnik Brewfest, the Chevy Drive It Home Golf Shoot Out and a second night of patriotic fireworks. Monday is the highlight of Boatnik featuring the World Famous Tom Rice Memorial White Water Hydroplane Race, and the Memorial Day Service including a jet flyover.
Thousands of locals and visitors from around the world come to share the tradition and unique experience of Boatnik.
BOATNIK 2026 SCHEDULE
Schedule subject to change.
Schedule subject to change.
| Thursday, May 21st | |
| 2:00 pm - 9:45 pm | Davis Shows Carnival "Family Day" $4 per ride |
| Friday, May 22nd | |
| 12:00 pm - 11:45 pm | Davis Shows Carnival & Midway Booths |
| 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm | Bingo |
| 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Round 1 - Dutch Bros Golf Shoot-out |
| 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm | Boatnik Sponsor Tent |
| 4:30 pm - 11:30 pm | Free Parking & Shuttle (GPHS & Jo Co Fairgrounds) |
| 5:00 pm - 11:45 pm | Boatnik Refreshment Garden |
| 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm | Concert - Sebastian Bach |
| 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Boat Exhibition |
| Dusk | Fireworks |
| Saturday, May 23rd | |
| 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Boatnik Parade |
| 11:00 am - 5:30 pm | Boatnik Sponsor Tent |
| 11:00 am - 11:30 pm | Free Parking & Shuttle (GPHS & Jo Co Fairgrounds) |
| 11:00 am - 11:45 pm | Davis Shows Carnival & Midway Booths |
| 11:00 am - 11:45 pm | Boatnik Refreshment Garden |
| 11:30 am - 12:30 pm | Sprint Boat Exhibition |
| 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm | Bingo |
| 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Boatnik Brewfest |
| 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Drag Boat Exhibition |
| 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Junior Jetboats Exhibition sponsored by Growler Guys |
| 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Sprint Boat Exhibition |
| 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Round 2 - Dutch Bros Golf Shoot-out |
| 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm | Boatnik Sponsor Party (invitation only) |
| Sunday, May 24th | |
| 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Sprint Boat Exhibition |
| 11:00 am - 10:00 pm | Boatnik Sponsor Tent |
| 11:00 am - 11:00 pm | Boatnik Refreshment Garden |
| 11:00 am - 11:30 pm | Free Parking & Shuttle (GPHS & Jo Co Fairgrounds) |
| 11:00 am - 11:45 pm | Davis Shows Carnival & Midway Booths |
| 11:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Boatnik Brewfest |
| 12:30 pm - 10:00 pm | Bingo |
| 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Hydroplane Show & Shine on Midway |
| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Drag Boat Exhibition |
| 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Junior Jetboats Exhibition sponsored by Growler Guys |
| 3:45 pm - 4:00 pm | Historical Drift Boat Exhibition |
| 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Drag Boat Exhibition |
| 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Finals - Dutch Bros Golf Shoot-out |
| 6:00 - 9:30 pm | Concert - Plush |
| Dusk | Fireworks |
| Monday, May 25th | |
| 11:00 am - 11:45 am | Hydroplane warm-ups |
| 11:00 am - 4:00 pm | Boatnik sponsor tent |
| 11:00 am - 4:00 pm | Boatnik refreshment garden |
| 11:00 am - 7:00 pm | Davis Shows Carnival & Midway booths |
| 11:45 am - 12:15 pm | Memorial Day Ceremony (with flyover) |
| 12:45 pm - 1:00 pm | Tom Rice Memorial Race introductions |
| 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Tom Rice Memorial Race |
| 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Bingo |
Date and Time
Thursday May 21, 2026 Monday May 25, 2026
Thursday, May 21st - Monday, May 25th
SCHEDULE
Location
Riverside Park
Grants Pass
Fees/Admission
Admission is Free to Boatnik
Website
Printed courtesy of www.grantspasschamber.org/ – Contact the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce for more information.
PO Box 970, Grants Pass, OR 97528 – 541-476-7717 – gpcoc@grantspasschamber.org