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Special Events
Tot Time Exploration
Parents, this is an exclusive opportunity to swim with your child without the big kids around. Bring your little ones and enjoy some quiet time! You’ll have access to the shallow pool, which includes 2 tunnel slides and a boat slide, play features and floatables.
This activity is restricted to children 5 years old and younger, and they must be accompanied by a patron 16 years or older at all times. Ratio is 2 children per adult and regular admission is required. Not valid with any other coupons. Tot Time begins on Saturday, June 3 from 11:00am to 12:15pm. TOT Time participants MUST exit the park at 12:15pm. Tot Time takes place on Saturdays only during the summer season. Admission is $5 per person. Children 2 and under swim free.
A "live" mermaid will visit in the pool to invite kids to Mermaid Tales on June 10 & July 8! Mermaid Tales includes a story prior to coming to Tot Time free of charge to make fun mermaid memories of your own. Mermaid Tales will take place on July 22 & July 29 at 10:30am prior to Tot Time and meets at the pavilion on the southeast corner of the park. Thank you to the Derby Public Library for presenting our stories and providing a great start to the day!
Slide N' Dive Movie Night
Join us for a special night of fun in the lap pool to watch TOP GUN: MAVRICK! The park will close to the public, then re-open for the special event. This event will take place in the lap pool only.
Date | Time | Fee |
June 15 | 7:30pm-9:30pm | $5 |
World's Largest Swim Lesson
Be a part of history! Bring your entire family, friends and neighbors to brush up on your swimming skills while attempting to set a world record (Rock River just being a small piece) and build awareness about the importance of teaching kids to swim. Join Rock River Rapid's staff in making 2023 the year we reach 300 people with the vital message that SWIMMING LESSONS SAVE LIVES! Registration begins at 9:30am the day of the event with lessons beginning at 10am.
Date | Time | Fee |
June 22 | 10:00am (registration begins at 9:30am) | FREE |
Rock River Rapids Cardboard Regatta
Join us for the Cardboard Boat Regatta! The regatta challenges the Derby community to design, build and navigate boats made entirely from corrugated cardboard and duct tape. The regatta is open to participation for teams of up to 4 people of all ages. We're excited to see your boats! Racers are welcome to stay once the event ends. Learn more information about construction, rules and awards.
Date | Time | Fee |
July 11 | 5:00pm-7:00pm | $5 (plus daily park admission or season pass) |
Mermaid Tales
Wear your best mermaid or merman suits and join us for Mermaid Tales story time at 10:30am at Rock River Rapids! Our friends from the Derby Public Library will provide our tales for free in the pavilion just outside of the waterpark and then join us for tot time at 11:00am. RRR Season passes or $5 admission fee apply for tot time which is from 11:00am–12:15pm. *Swim with a mermaid June 10 & July 8 from 11:00am-12:15pm!
Date | Time | Fee |
July 22 | 10:30am | FREE |
July 29 | 10:30am | FREE |
Party at the Rock
This super fun event will be open to all ages! Come enjoy a live DJ, food trucks and much more. This party is one you won't want to miss! (No refunds due to inclement weather after the event has started, however if we cancel prior to our 7:30pm scheduled event, there will be a make up date.)
Date | Time | Fee |
July 20 | 7:30pm-10:30pm | $5 per person paid at the gate |
Back to School Splash 6th-8th Grades
Join your middle school friends for a night of music and fun in the water. Wear your swimsuit to the bash. Please remember the USD 260 rules apply and will be enforced. Volunteer chaperones are always welcome and needed.
Date | Time | Fee |
August 18 | 7:00pm-9:00pm | $5 + student ID |
Pooch Pool Party
Rock River Rapids is ending the season with a doggie splash! Water chemistry will be adjusted for our different breed of swimmers. Those 16 years and older will be allowed in the water up to their thighs, but no children are allowed in the water. No aggressive dogs or females in heat will be allowed to ensure the safety of everyone attending. Watch for our contests and be ready for some four-legged fun.
Date | Time | Fee |
August 19 | 1:30pm-3:30pm | $5 per dog - paid day of the event |
Summer Swim Meets
Rock River Rapids is pleased to host summer swim meets for the Derby Dolphins. During their meets the lap pool will be closed; however the rest of the park is filled with adventure waiting for you.
Please note the diving boards, drop slides, climbing walls, floatables, and basketball goals will not be available for use.
The lap pool will be closed 12:30-7:00pm June 9-11 and July 14-15 due to swim meets.
The lap pool will close at 5:00pm on June 20, June 27 and July 6 due to swim meets.
Lap Swimming
Swimmers can either purchase a season pass or pay the daily drop in fee. Saturday lap swim drop-in fee is $5 and will be required to exit the park and pay a regular admission fee if they wish to swim during regular hours of operation (12:30pm-7:00pm).
Day | Time | Lanes | Fee |
Daily (Mon-Sun) | 12:30pm-7:00pm | 2-3 short course lap lanes | Daily park admission or season pass |
Saturdays* | 11:00am-12:15pm | 2 long course lap lanes | $5 drop in fee |
*Will not be open Saturday, June 10 and Saturday, July 15 due to swim meets