Riverfest Weekend and New England Paddlesports Championship 2022
On the Connecticut River
Brattleboro, VT to Hinsdale, NH
Sat, August 6 – Sun, August 7
Riverfest Village and On-river/Near-river Activities: Sat, 8/6, 10am-4:30pm
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 paddleboards (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. Check back for additional details.
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. And “Lampey”, the mysterious Connecticut River monster that plies this region’s waters may make an appearance!
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.
The NEPC Race: Sun, 8/7, 10am-1pm
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.
Racers: Please pencil Aug. 7 on your calendars. Registration on Paddleguru coming soon. Registration will also be available day of between 8:30-10:00am.
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.
And new-this-year, Business-Challenge participants will compete at the 1-mile length to earn bragging rights and possession of the first-annual “Lampey Trophy”.
Special Prizes will be available for Novice Youth-Adult boats, encouraging younger paddlers to join us and compete for their own set of prizes.
Also NEW for 2022, businesses are encouraged to enter two-person canoe or kayak teams to compete for bragging rights and first-year possession of the inaugural NEPC “Lampey” Business Challenge trophy.
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.
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.
Upcoming Information:
Check back for:
- Camping and Lodging Options.
- Course map to show looping course and varied lengths: 12-, 5-, and 1-mile.
- Related area events and entertainment Thurs., August 5 to Sun., August 7.
- Volunteer roles.
- Additional details.
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. Please check back in July for updates and volunteer sign-ups. Many ways to be involved and help.