Midwest Jet and V-Drive Rally
The 7th Annual Midwest Jet and V-Drive Rally is scheduled for Friday, August 14, and Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Ottawa, Illinois. Based at Dockside Bar and Grill, the two-day gathering brings jet boats, V-drive boats, drag boats and other classic high-performance hot boats together for a summer weekend on the Illinois River.
The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Friday and continue through approximately 11 p.m. Saturday. The current event listing identifies Matt Petersen as the host, while the Midwest Jet and V-Drive Club promotes the rally through its official social-media channels.
The Midwest Jet and V-Drive Rally follows an informal hot-boat gathering format rather than a traditional poker run with card stations and winning hands. Participants gather around Ottawa for river cruising, sandbar time, boat displays, flybys and a full weekend centered on horsepower, classic performance boats and the Midwest boating community. Previous rally coverage has described the event as one of the largest hot-boat gatherings east of the Mississippi River.
Dockside Bar and Grill serves as the rally’s central gathering location at 1001 East Main Street in Ottawa. Previous editions have used the waterfront venue as the base for the weekend while participants spend time boating and gathering on the nearby Illinois River. The official 2026 schedule, river meeting locations and any planned group activities should be confirmed through organizers as the event approaches.
The rally welcomes enthusiasts interested in jet boats, V-drives, drag boats and vintage hot rods of the water. Past editions have attracted boats and spectators from throughout the Midwest for two days of river activity, social gatherings and an opportunity to see a wide range of custom and high-horsepower boats in one location.
No registration price or admission requirement is listed in the currently available public event information. Participants should follow the official event discussion for updates concerning boat launching, trailer parking, lodging, river conditions and any organized activities added to the weekend schedule.
With six successful gatherings behind it, the Midwest Jet and V-Drive Rally is expected to continue as one of the region’s primary annual events for jet-boat and V-drive enthusiasts. Ottawa’s Illinois River setting and Dockside headquarters provide a natural destination for a weekend devoted to fast boats, river life and Midwest hot-boat culture.