Good morning, Grants Pass.

Locals are preparing for Boatnik Memorial Weekend at Riverside Park, where carnival food, jet boat rides, and community fun bring families together.

Organizers advise visitors to pace themselves by staying hydrated and enjoying a healthy breakfast (simple tips for a great day).

The annual Boatnik Festival kicked off Thursday afternoon in Grants Pass with Carnival Family Day featuring food, vendors, and thrill rides, and it will continue with a concert, parade, and brewfest through Memorial Day weekend to support local youth programs & honor veterans.

Students from Grants Pass, Hidden Valley, and North Valley are hand-building aluminum race boats in local high school shops for the Junior Hydro Exhibition, which will begin Saturday at 10:30 a.m. along the Rogue River at Riverside Park where families will cheer the upcoming races.

Grants Pass Fire Rescue received a $296,000 Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant to help residents prepare for fire season.

The department will soon begin a door-to-door knock and talk program in high-risk neighborhoods to assess and prescribe defensible space improvements + offer reimbursement options.

Southern Oregon travelers face busy highways and fuller flights as Memorial Day weekend approaches; Medford (Rogue Valley International Airport) expects peak departures.

Drivers near Grants Pass should plan ahead for heavier Interstate 5 traffic amid forecast weather shifts.

Rogue Roasters in Grants Pass now serves sandwiches made on rosemary sourdough with fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and fair pricing under $11.

Locals say the café remains a favorite for quality coffee and meals made with care (a rare find in quick lunch spots).

Boatnik Brewfest

1 PM - 4 PM — Riverside Park — $ — Celebrate with craft brews and thrilling jet boat races at one of Grants Pass' largest festivals.

SoHumane's Miles for Mutts

11 AM – 4 PM — Wooldridge Creek Vineyard, Winery, Creamery & Charcuterie — Free entry — Walk, wag & toast with your dogs while enjoying food, T-shirts, and wine.

17th Annual Fur Ball

4-9 p.m. — The Lindsay Lodge & Restaurant — $75 per person — Enjoy a delightful dinner while supporting local efforts and bidding on unique auction items.