The first people to successfully paint the town red spent more time haphazardly assembling scaffolding and arguing over who got to be the "foreman" than enjoying the results. Take the planning out of carousing with today's Groupon for tickets to On the River Fest, held Saturday, August 6, 2011. Choose between the following options:

• For $10, you get four tickets to On the River's Family Day, held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (a $20 value). Children younger than age three receive free admission.
• For $10, you get two tickets to On the River's 21+ Beach Bash, held from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. (up to a $20 value). Participants must be at least 21 years old.

On the River Fest blankets the St. Joseph riverfront in 1,500 tons of sand for an annual summer extravaganza of live music and authentic Caribbean cuisine that benefits the Center for the Homeless. In the early afternoon, Family Day beckons kids to construct sand castles; become the canvas for a face painting or the inspiration for a caricature drawing; and romp around inflatable moonwalks. Settle intra-family dishwashing disputes with a round of cornhole toss or volleyball, which offer open play until 3 p.m.

Starting at 3 p.m., the 21+ Beach Bash will kick off to the strains of Jimmy Buffet tribute band Lunar Beach House and dance grooves from DJ Razor X, a favorite of beat-loving crowds and seagulls everywhere. Partygoers can snack on a scintillating menu of authentic Caribbean cuisine and sip from a treasure trove of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. At the evening's end, an impressive fireworks display will erupt in the sky, creating dazzling reflections on the water and in the sunglasses of attendees too cool to remove them after dark.