American Whitewater Celebrates Deerfield River Festival This July
(PRWEB) June 30, 2013 -- Every year, for the last 19 years, paddlers and community members have been gathering to celebrate the Deerfield River and the community surrounding it. The Deerfield River Festival was launched by American Whitewater as a celebration of the successful relicensing of the Deerfield River which opened up access for recreational use of the river and implemented new conservation standards. Today, Deerfield River Festival has come to be a key summer event for all those who frequent the river, and the biggest river festival in the northeast.
While boaters will be out on the water all day, the festival itself starts in the afternoon as people gather after a day of paddling at the Charlemont Fairgrounds at 8 Park St., Charlemont, MA. A whitewater marketplace will be set up with vendors showcasing boats and gear throughout the evening. In true festival fashion, there will be live bands playing, and attendees can get food and drinks throughout the event. As afternoon turns to dusk, raft guides from the local companies will launch the traditional Raft Guide Olympics, which will feature events like raft stacking races and throw rope competitions. At night, after the bands have wrapped up, two movies will be screened as part of Zoar Outdoor’s film series: Last of the Great Unknown and Remains of a River, both films exploring the Grand Canyon’s secrets and history.
While the day will give paddlers an opportunity to enjoy the river and meet other members of the paddling community, it also serves the deeper purpose of supporting AW’s efforts in New England and all over the country. The organization was central to the relicensing process on the Deerfield River and has worked over the years on river access and conservation projects throughout the region. Becoming a member, donating and volunteering are just some of the ways people can get involved with AW.
A full schedule for the day can be found online. The festival is also always looking for volunteers, so make sure to check out the festival website if you would like to get involved.
Adriana Isaza, Zoar Outdoor, http://zoaroutdoor.com, 1-800-532-7483, [email protected]
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