Paddlers from near and far joined AW and its band of dedicated volunteers to enjoy one of the best Deerfield River Festivals ever hosted. Well over a thousand paddlers came out to Charlemont, MA to enjoy the camaraderie of other paddlers, listed to some great music, and gander at the wares of thirty-two different vendors.
The fickle weather cooperated with the prayers of the Deerfield River Fest organizers and granted a reprieve from the previous day’s deluge. Some bleary eyed paddlers managed to catch some early morning creek runs on some New England Classics.
The AW Deerfield River Fest could not even be attempted if it were not for the energetic and selfless efforts of its volunteers. AW wants to thank all of the volunteers that helped to make the event a huge success. Especially, Mike Coleman the volunteer event organizer.
Some new and unique programs helped to make this year’s event really stand out. The Thrown Out Throw Bag Olympics gathered the attention of nearly everyone at the festival. Competitors tested their safety skills as they competed in speed, accuracy, and distance events. Winners of the competitions won some brand new throw bags courtesy of AW and Thrown Out Throw Bags.
Also, this year Barry Higgins a Native American story teller and flute player expanded the imaginations of children and adults alike with his fanciful stories about the origin of the Native American flute and delicate flute melodies. It is pretty safe to say that the 2003 Festival was the first time paddlers wandered through the vendor’s booths with flute music dancing overhead.
Paddlers of all ability levels enjoyed competitions on both sections of the river. Monroe Bridge paddlers enjoyed a freestyle competition and a BoaterX Race in Dragon’s Tooth while paddlers on the Fife Brook section attempted to demonstrate their boat handling skills during the Ruler of the Gap competition. Full Competition Results Can Be Found Here
Once again, the Nails competition entertained onlookers and challenged would be carpenters. The Nails organizers were able to raise almost $200.00 for AW. If you are not familiar with Nails then you will have to attend next year’s festival. Let’s just say you need to be comfortable with a hammer in one hand and a cup in the other.
Finally, we can not forget the paddling clubs that participated in the AW membership drive. The Club that checked in the most AW members at the AW booth won a new Star Inflatable Raft. Club members from FLOW, the CT AMC, the Boston AMC, the Berkshire AMC, KCCNY, and the MVP scrounged the fest looking for existing members and encouraging non-AW members to join AW. In the end it was the MVP who signed in just five more members than KCCNY. The final count for the MVP was 35 members. Nice job!!
All in all several thousand dollars and thirty-one memberships were raised to help AW continues its mission of restoring and protecting whitewater rivers in the Northeast. A final thank you goes out to all of the volunteers who sweated in the sun and helped to make the event a rousing success and to Zoar Outdoor who provided all sorts of last minute help. See ya next year!