American Whitewater’s Deerfield Riverfest
Saturday, August 3, 2002
Description
The Deerfield Riverfest will begin at 2:00pm on August 3, 2002 in the large field across the street from Zoar Outdoor on Route 2, Charlemont, Massachusetts. The event focuses on bringing people to the area to enjoy a weekend of outdoor activities, showcase whitewater paddlesport and raise funds and membership for American Whitewater. The festival is an afternoon/evening event providing entertainment for both paddlesport and non-paddlesport enthusiasts young and old. Saturday afternoon on the river features our 6th annual amateur whitewater rodeo. The festival site will be bustling with activity including a marketplace during the day and in the evening; we roll out the carpet for our famous chicken barbecue, live entertainment, beer and a silent auction of awesome outdoor gear. Sunday morning features a wild down river race on the Monroe Bridge section of the Deerfield
The Deerfield River Festival is a critical fundraiser and one of American Whitewater’s premiere events. All proceeds support AW’s conservation and access work in the Northeast. Currently, AW is involved in projects on the Housatonic, Penobscott, West, and the Contoocook Rivers just to name a few.
Come out and enjoy great paddling, exciting competitions, live entertainment, a whitewater marketplace, and the infamous chicken barbecue
For more information on the Deerfield River visit www.americanwhitewater.org.
Background
American Whitewater and F.L.O.W. started the Deerfield River Festival to celebrate the successful relicensing process that took place in 1993 forcing whitewater recreation and environmental concerns to be considered in conjunction with power generation. The Deerfield River relicensing helped to pave the way for hundreds of relicensing projects that have taken place in recent years across the United States.
Directions
To get here from Boston take Route 2 west. Where Route 2 merges with Interstate 91 in Greenfield be sure to exit again onto Route 2 west (exit 26.) Charlemont is about 17 miles west of this exit. The festival site is in the large field just beyond Zoar Outdoor on the left (south) side of the road.
To get here from New York take Interstate 95 north to Interstate 91 north. Take exit 26 and follow Route 2 west for about 17 miles. The festival site is in the large field just beyond Zoar Outdoor on the left (south) side of the road.
Camping
Due to restrictions enforced by the Town of Charlemont, American Whitewater is not able to offer or condone camping onsite. Failure to comply with this request will jeopardize future events.
There are a number of campgrounds located in close proximity to the river. Here is a partial list:
Campsites
Mohawk Park Campground (413-339-4470)
Mohawk Trail State Park (413-339-5504)
Savoy State Park (413-663-8469)
DAR State Park (413-268-7098)
Country Air Campground (413-625-2996)
Inns
Charlemont Inn (413-339-5796)
Oxbow Resort (413-625-6011)
Giavanni’s Red Rose (413-625-2666)
Whitcomb Summit Motel (413-662-2625)
Information on camping in the local area is available at www.zoaroutdoor.com/direct.htm
Water Release Information
Fife Brook August 2-4th Releases from Fife Brook Dam start between 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon, with a flow of at least 700 cfs.
Monroe Bridge August 2nd 11:00-3:00pm
August 3rd 10:00-3:00pm
August 4th 10:00-2:00pm
Information on release dates for the Deerfield River is available at www.zoaroutdoor.com/schedule.htm
Competitions
All athletes competing at the Deerfield River Competitions must be members of AW. One time event passes are available for $10 or competitors can purchase AW memberships at a $10 discount for $25.
Athletes wishing to have their points tracked for the National Championships are required to be registered with the Tour. Tour registration is also available on-site.
Zoar Rolling Rodeo
Saturday at 10:30am Dragon’s Tooth Event Starts @ 12:30pm
Join up with your friends and paddle down the Monroe Bridge section of the Deerfield River enjoying each other’s camaraderie and competing at five of the Deerfield River’s best play spots. Judges will be stationed at each playspot and competitors will accumulate scores as they travel down the river.
Play spots include: The Splat Rock, Let Down Wave, Eddy Line Magic, Judy’s Hole, and Dragon’s Tooth.
Prizes will be awarded at the Festival and include some really cool AW merchandise.
Wilderness Experiences BoaterX
Sunday at 12:00pm
Be sure to checkout the latest and most exciting whitewater competition to ever come to the Deerfield. Athletes will be racing down from False Tooth through Dragon’s Tooth five at a time. Racers will be jockeying for position in order to make it to the final Dragon’s Tooth Sprint. This event promises to be a real heart stopper. Think you have the fastest lines? Or are you interested in knowing just how many different lines there are through the tooth of the dragon!! Be sure to check out this latest addition to the Deerfield River Festival.
Boat Restriction:
Boats must be 8’ 6” or less.
Registration For Competitions
Pre-registration for Zoar Rolling Rodeo and Wilderness Experiences BoaterX is available at www.Active.com.
Onsite Registration will take place at Dunbar Brook Picnic Area on Saturday at 8:30am.
Competitor’s Donation to AW
Pre-registration Fee (includes entrance into the festival): $25 for 1st event and $5 for the 2nd.
Onsite registration Fee (includes entrance into the festival): $30 for 1st event and $5 for the 2nd.
$10 refundable bib deposit required
Teva Tour
For the first time, points earned at the Deerfield River Festival competitions will count towards an athlete’s ranking on the Teva Tour sanctioned by American Whitewater. Competitions are available to amateurs only. For more information about the Teva Tour and the Teva Whitewater National Championships check out www.americanwhitewater.org or call the AW Events Office @ 828-252-0728.
Silent Auction
Come check out our fantastic silent auction merchandise. Bidding starts at 3:00pm and last call will be made at 9:00pm. If you need some new gear this is the place to find it.
Schedule of Events
Friday, August 2nd
7:00-9:00pm Onsite event registration for competition is available in the festival field.
Saturday, August 3rd
8:30-9:30 Onsite event registration for Zoar Rolling Rodeo and Wilderness Experiences BoaterX
9:30-9:45 Competitor’s meeting
11:00 Rodeo starts with Pod 1 arriving at Splat Rock
12:30 Dragon’s Tooth component of Zoar Rolling Rodeo begins
12:00 Lion’s Club Cookout starts in Festival Field across from Zoar Outdoor
2:00 Festival opens
5:00 Competitor Bib return at festival gate
American Whitewater Chicken Barbecue
6:30 Live entertainment
7:30 Awards ceremony for Zoar Rolling Rodeo
8:00 Live entertainment
9:00 Final call for Silent Auction
Sunday, August 4th
10:00 Wilderness Experiences BoaterX registration
10:45-11:00 BoaterX competitors meeting
11:30 BoaterX Heat 1 Prelims (after confirmed water stabilization)
1:45 BoaterX Heat 2 Semifinals
2:30 BoaterX Heat 3 Finals
3:00 Bib return in Dunbar Brook Picnic Area
Volunteer Request
Volunteers are the backbone of the Deerfield Fest and people are needed for the competitions, auction, gate, set up and take down. If you are interested, please contact Bob Taylor at bobt@amwhitewater.org.