Deerfield River Festival - July 31, 2010 - Charlemont, MA

American Whitewater and F.L.O.W. started the Deerfield River Festival in 1994 to celebrate the successful dam relicensing process that took place in 1993.

The event focuses on bringing people to the area to enjoy a weekend of outdoor activities while showcasing whitewater paddlesports and raising funds and membership for American Whitewater. The main festival activities take place on Saturday afternoon/evening and provide entertainment for both paddlesport and non-paddlesport enthusiasts young and old.

The festival site will be bustling with activity including a whitewater marketplace, live entertainment, beer, and a silent auction with awesome outdoor gear. The Deerfield River Festival is a critical fundraiser for American Whitewater, and is one of our premiere events.

All proceeds from the festival support American Whitewater’s conservation and access work throughout the Northeast. Come out and join us for a weekend of great paddling, exciting competitions, live entertainment, and the infamous silent auction.

Deerfield River Information
Vendor Information
Festival Schedule

The festival location has moved, starting in 2009!

The Deerfield Fest will now be located in the town of Charlemont’s Fairgrounds approximately 1.5 miles from the old field location of years past. This new location has a majority of festival facilities in place (bathrooms, lights, power, pavilion, etc) versus the otherwise completely empty field of years past. Adding all those facilities to the old location was a substantial burden in time and money that we don't plan to go back to. We hope you enjoy the new, and improved, field as much as we do!

Driving Directions

Are you a frequent attendee of Deerfield Fest, local raft guide, or paddler? Chances are you've been to Deerfield Fest lots of times without even realizing how much work goes into putting it on. Every year we're short on volunteers, we need your help! Volunteers are needed to help prepare, setup, staff, and takedown the festival. Volunteers are asked for just two hours, still allowing plenty of time for that river run or late night fun.

Learn more about volunteering

Several past Deerfield Fests have featured some variety of boat and/or bike race. Unfortunately, American Whitewater's insurance no longer covers these kinds of competitions anymore. Any competitions in future years will fall to the local boating community to coordinate.

Watch local raft guides (or people who wish they were!) compete to see which team will be crowned this year's raft guiding royalty at 7PM at the festival site.

Check out all the rules and competition info on the Raft Guide Olympics page.

Unfortunately due to state and local health code regulations camping is not permitted at the festival site. There are many campgrounds in the area, please call early for reservations as most campgrounds will book up early.

Deerfield area campgrounds and lodging

American Whitewater's raffles and silent auction are a highlight of many attending the Deerfield River Festival. Each year festival attendees get great deals on boats, paddles, gear, camping gear, and much more.