Rio Vista Bass Derby & Festival
3 Days of Fun for the Entire Family
Why is there a entry fee for this year’s Festival?
The Festival:
This year, the chamber has been working on the 77th Bass Festival, paying special attention to the LIVE MUSIC lineup that will appeal to all music lovers. Bands consisting of Rock, Blues, R&B, Motown, Latin, and Country.
We are planning a kid zone that will be engaging for all ages along with offering several new food choices. Our new location on the water with a view of the bridge allows us the opportunity to enjoy and highlight our great little town!
Why No Carnival?
A not so fun fact about our festival and the amusement rides: our latest quote was $45,000 to $65,000, along with being booked out 5 years in October due to large pumpkin patch events. With price increases in all areas of the event landscape and the chamber already working at a deficit for the past 3 years. We are considering charging entry fees for the Music, Food, and Kid Zone areas to enable the Chamber to continue elevating this cherished tradition. $10 per day and $20 for 3 days, kids under 5 are free.
Be A Voice!
We would LOVE to hear from you, our community! What are your thoughts on making this year's Festival THRIVE?
In the future, we might consider changing the weekend of the Bass Festival to accommodate the possibility of booking the Carnival / amusement rides.
We would love to have a conversation with our community about the 77th Bass Festival.
The Rio Vista Bass Derby And Festival
The Festival is open to everyone!
Thursday Night Kick-Off Dinner - October 9th 2025
This year’s Bass Derby & Festival starts off with a festive Thursday night, October 10. For the kids, there are fire truck rides, courtesy of the Rio Vista Fire Department (from 6 to 8 PM). For the adults, there is a kickoff dinner, starting at 6 PM, right on the waterfront, with foods provided by some of our local restaurants and caterers. We will start the festivities by honoring a couple of local heroes.
Friday Festivities - October 10th 2025
Friday morning, at 6 AM, the fishing starts. Both adults and kids may enter the derby. To award them for their efforts (and success) there are prizes, ranging from an adult fishing grand prize of $4000 down to gift cards for the kids. A little later on, the Rio Vista Food Pantry will start their “Catch of the Day” rummage sale at noon, followed by the LIVE MUSIC on the waterfront starting at 2:30 PM. At 4 PM the first of two kids zones will open along with all the vendor booths. This day’s part of the festival will close at 10 PM after the last of the bands.
Saturday’s Festivities - October 11th 2025
Saturday starts off when the Lions Club and Rio Vista Fire Department team up to hold a pancake breakfast and then it’s on to the Lions Club car show, with cars lining Main Street. Vendor booths open at 10 AM, followed by both kids zones opening at noon. The bands will begin playing on the waterfront at 1:45 PM, the final band will play 7:15 to 9:15. The Food Pantry will hold their “Catch of the Day” rummage sale throughout the day. Tonight, an amazing fireworks show will take place from a barge right on the Sacramento River followed. The day’s festivities close down after the Fireworks show
Sundays Festivities - October 12th 2025
The festival wraps up on Sunday with another full day featuring vendors, food and music, and of course the “Catch of the Day.” The highlight of Sunday is always the hometown parade, starting at 11 AM. The parade goes down Main Street from up by Lira’s Market to Front Street. The fishing derby will end at 3 PM and winners will be announced at the foot of Main. Farther down the waterfront, the last 2 bands will play from 12:15 to 5 PM. The Soroptimist will hold the drawing for their meat raffle at 3:00 PM. The 3-days of fun end at 5 PM. Whew!
Have Any Questions About this year’s Rio Vista Bass Derby & Festival?
Contact The Rio Vista Chamber Of Commerce