Sat, August 6 – Sun, August 7
On the Connecticut River
Brattleboro, VT to Hinsdale, NH
Riverfest Village and On-river/Near-river Activities: Sat, 8/6, 10am-4pm
Saturday’s first annual Riverfest will offer an array of FREE activities bridging southwest NH and southeast VT! Something for everyone and family-friendly.
Enjoy guided and independent opportunities to try outdoor recreation options including canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards (SUPs); fly-fish casting; hike Wantastiquet to enjoy the summit’s panoramic view of the valley into the Green Mountains, or just to spend time in the woods; trail rides; nature walks; and more.
CRC and local partners will also offer activity stations and informational sessions: fly-tying as art; Fish Tales and Paddling Adventure Stories; a Writing About Water panel; nature talks; and art activities.
Riverfest’s range of activities will showcase the area’s rich array of outdoor recreational options, the many benefits of healthy rivers, and the beauty of the region.
Come to enjoy the river on your own, with family, or with friends. Choose part of the day or enjoy river fun morning thru the afternoon.
Live music performed by Social Medication in the Whetstone parking lot from 2:00-5:00pm!
Social Medication is the much anticipated re-unification of three local musicians who learned how to play music with each other while they were all growing up in the Brattleboro area.
The NEPC Race: Sun, 8/7, 10am-2pm
On Sunday of Riverfest Weekend, the New England Paddlesports Championship (NEPC) will welcome racers from across the Northeast. Classes will include canoes, kayaks, surf skis, and stand-up paddleboards. While the 44th Year NEPC has been held on the Connecticut River between Southern VT and NH, this is only the second time competitors will churn the waters in this beautiful stretch of river between Hinsdale, NH and Brattleboro-to-Vernon, VT.
The race will launch from Norm’s Marina, and is part of the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (NECKRA) Flatwater Point Series.
The NEPC Course
Centered on a beautiful stretch of river downstream from the West River confluence and just under NH’s Mount Wantastiquet, racers will lap a mid-river island with spectators amidst the action, cheering from bridges overhead and the shore.
Competitive paddlers on Canoe, Kayak, and Surf Ski will lap the mid-river island twice on a 12-mile competitive “marathon” course. Competitive SUP paddlers will lap a 5-mile course.
Recreation Class paddlers and Novice Adult-Youth boats can choose between the 5-mile looped course or the 1-mile trial loop.
Special Prizes will be available for Novice Youth-Adult boats, encouraging younger paddlers to join us and compete for their own set of prizes.
Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is excited to organize and host the NEPC race for the first time. Having been held on various sections of the Connecticut River for 43 years, CRC will in 2022 amplify the annual race for the northeast’s paddlesports community into a weekend-long river festival welcoming family, friends, and river enthusiasts of all ages.
The “Lampey” Challenge: Sun, 8/7, 11am
Also NEW for 2022, enter two-person canoe teams to compete at the 1-mile length for bragging rights and the honor of having your names inscribed on the inaugural NEPC “Lampey” Challenge trophy. This event is BYOC, bring your own canoe!
Where to watch
Racers will park at and enter the river at Norm’s Marina, just over the Rte. 119 bridge in Hinsdale, NH. Spectator and Riverfest parking will be available at the Runnings-George’s Field parking lot on the NH-side and in various Public Parking areas in downtown Brattleboro. Walking to Whetstone Station Restaurant on Bridge Street (Rte. 119) will put you at the epicenter of Riverfest activities: the Depot Street-Union Station Park across the street from the restaurant and brewery.
Whetstone Station Rooftop Bier Garten
Join us from 10-2:30pm in the VIP Lounge of the Rooftop Bier Garten. The VIP Lounge will have complimentary snacks and drink specials as well as the best race viewing platform! VIP Tickets are $10, 100% of which goes to Riverfest Weekend.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities or volunteering?
The event and its summer-long promotion offer local and aligned businesses a high-value, multi-channel association across the 4-state watershed and beyond. Click here to learn more about Sponsorship levels and benefits.
For more information about Sponsorship packages, please contact Brett Morrison, NEPC-Riverfest Co-Chair: bmorrison@ctriver.org or (802) 375-4519.
Volunteer roles include planning positions and day-of help. Many ways to be involved and help.
Please note: Life jackets are REQUIRED for all on-river events. Please bring your own life jacket.
Dogs are NOT permitted at Riverfest.
See you on the River!
Gifts In Kind
Cabot Creamery
Darn Tough Socks
Latchis Hotel and Theatre
The Marina Restaurant
Vermont Ski and Sport
Community Partners
Adventure East
Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce
Brattleboro Historical Society
Brattleboro Museum and Art Center (BMAC)
Connecticut River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Insight Photography
NECKRA
New England Center for Circus Arts
Norm’s Marina
Outdoor Hinsdale
River Gallery School
Southern Vermont Natural History Museum
Southwest Regional Planning Commission (NH SWRPC)
Thomas and Thomas
Vermont Canoe Touring Center
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
Vernon Historical Society
Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery
Windham Natural Resource Conservation District
Windham Regional Planning Commission (WRC)