Once Upon a River: An Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 12, 2026
The Historic Auditorium,
St. Croix Falls, WI
Produced by Dan Chouinard and Barbara McAfee
Featuring Peter Mayer, Rosie Peters, Unexpected Company Chorale, and River City Quartet
On Sunday, April 12, Once Upon a River will return to its original home at the newly renovated Historic Auditorium in St. Croix Falls, WI. Tickets are on sale now at the Festival Theatre box office and online.
Once Upon a River is a cherished annual event created by musician/composer Dan Chouinard and singer/songwriter Barbara McAfee as a way to kick off Earth Day festivities throughout the St. Croix River Watershed. Renowned musicians, storytellers, and conservationists come together to celebrate the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the St. Croix River through music and spoken word.
Presented by North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area and Festival Theatre, Chouinard and McAfee will lead a cast of voices on stage including featured performer Peter Mayer. Mayer is a singer/songwriter based in Stillwater, MN, who “writes songs for a small planet; songs about interconnectedness and the human journey.”
Additional performers include Rosetta “Rosie” Peters, a Dakota poet who will present new works about the St. Croix River; Unexpected Company Chorale, an adult chorus made up of diverse voices and musical backgrounds; and the River City Quartet, barbershop singers beloved by “Once Upon a River” audiences.
Pre-concert exhibits from local conservation partners open at 1:00 PM, highlighting efforts to protect the St. Croix watershed. Representatives from the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Wild Rivers Conservancy, St. Croix 360, St. Croix Valley Food Alliance, and the St. Croix Valley Foundation will share information and resources about upcoming activities and provide resources about the St. Croix River Watershed.
This project received funding from the St. Croix Valley Foundation and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin. Additional support for Once Upon a River was provided by Wild Rivers Conservancy.
2025 Revival
After a six-year hiatus, Once Upon a River triumphantly returned on April 6, 2025. Co-presented by North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area (NWW) and St. Croix Festival Theatre, this Earth Day tribute celebrated the natural, cultural, and historic richness of the St. Croix River watershed through music, storytelling, and community connection.
Hosted and curated by Dan Chouinard, and co-produced by NWW’s Marty Harding, the afternoon featured unforgettable performances by Prudence Johnson, Barbara McAfee, the River City Quartet, Sharon Day, Laurie Allmann, Margaret Pennings, Dan Guenthner and Unexpected Company Chorale. Together, they wove a tapestry of song and story that honored the river and those who care for it.
The event included a vibrant pre-concert exhibit, where nearly 450 attendees engaged with representatives from the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Wild Rivers Conservancy, St. Croix 360, the St. Croix Valley Food Alliance, and with NWW board members.
More than a performance, Once Upon a River was a meaningful opportunity to share our mission and showcase the power of the arts to inspire, educate and celebrate the St. Croix watershed.
This event was made possible thanks in part to support from the St. Croix Valley Foundation and Wild Rivers Conservancy.
