Virtual RiverFest Event Type
Rail Trail Walk along the Assabet
Peter Alden
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 8:00 am
RSVP preferred but not required.
Naturalist Peter Alden, author of the Audubon Guide to New England, will lead an easy 3-hour walk focusing on birds and plants on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail from West Concord to White Pond. Meet at the beginning of the Rail Trail in West Concord (across from the old 99 Restaurant).
Sudbury River Ponded Section Paddle (8AM)
Friends of Saxonville
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 8:00 am
Please RSVP and indicate if you need to reserve a canoe for this event via the registration form.
Enjoy a calm 2-hour paddle and learn some history of the river in Saxonville and current threats from invasive aquatic vegetation. There will be two paddles on Saturday, one at 8:00am and one at 11:00am. Feel free to access a canoe and take a self-guided tour of this 1-mile section of the river. You are likely to spot a great blue heron, a kingfisher, a myriad of ducks and geese with chicks, and turtles sunning themselves, and maybe a bald eagle! There’s also the option of leisurely picking up shoreline debris and observing an invasive water chestnut hand-pulling removal demonstration. Please contact for any questions about the paddle.
Walk with Thoreau
Marlies Henderson
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 10:00 am
RSVPs are preferred but not required.
Join a guided walking group to explore extant portions of the Middlesex Canal, operational from 1803 - 1853, 27 miles between Charlestown and Middlesex Village (today's Lowell). In 1839, Henry David Thoreau traveled the canal from the Billerica Falls through Chelmsford, as described in A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers. Meet at the gazebo by the Billerica Falls. Easy 3-hour walk. High boots recommended. Governor Baker Covid-19 Orders observed. Contact with any questions about the walk.
Community Paddle on the Sudbury River
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 10:00 am
After a long, isolating year, please join us for a Community Paddle along the Wild & Scenic Sudbury River. SVT member Ken Reeves is an experienced instructor and trip leader and will help you hone your skills in tandem (two person) paddling.
Paddlers must provide their own boat. PFDs (personal flotation device) required.
Sudbury River Ponded Section Paddle (11AM)
Friends of Saxonville
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 11:00 am
Please RSVP and indicate if you need to reserve a canoe for this event via the registration form.
Enjoy a calm 2-hour paddle and learn some history of the river in Saxonville and current threats from invasive aquatic vegetation. There will be two paddles on Saturday, one at 8:00am and one at 11:00am. Feel free to access a canoe and take a self-guided tour of this 1-mile section of the river. You are likely to spot a great blue heron, a kingfisher, a myriad of ducks and geese with chicks, and turtles sunning themselves, and maybe a bald eagle! There’s also the option of leisurely picking up shoreline debris and observing an invasive water chestnut hand-pulling removal demonstration. Please contact for any questions about the paddle.

Wright Woods Walk
Peter Alden
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 4:00 pm
RSVP preferred but not required.
Naturalist Peter Alden, author of the Audubon Guide to New England, will lead a 3-hour walk focusing on birds and plants from Fairhaven Hill to Fairhaven Bay. This will be an easy 1.5 mile walk in the Wright Woods sector. Meet at the corner of Fairhaven Rd. and Arena Terrace (turnoff just east of the Walden Woods farmstand on Rte. 2 eastbound).

Nashoba Brook Fishing Class
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 9:00 am
The fishing class is filled.
OARS will run a 1.5-hour fishing class for children ages 6–13 on the banks of the Nashoba Brook in West Concord. Registration required by Friday, June 18. Call 978-369-3956 if you have questions.

Ride for the Rivers
OARS
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 10:00 am
Preferred but not required.
This is a ~30 mile bike ride sponsored by OARS and Nashoba Valley Pedalers, (~3+ hours or so, including a stop for ice cream at Erickson's in Maynard!) on roads criss-crossing our Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord. Helmets required. Please bring a mask, just in case. We depart promptly at 10 AM from the Robbins House parking lot of Monument Street, Concord.
Email Mike at or call 978-793-3189 for more information and in the event of questions. A forecast of steady rain will cancel the event, call or email before 8 AM Sunday if in doubt.
The route may change, but for those curious, it should be close to this: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21919251

Yoga with Ashley
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 12:00 pm
Preferred but not required.
Join Ashley for a peaceful and relaxing 60 minute outdoor yoga class at the Old Manse. This class is accessible for all ages and skill sets- with lots of tailored modifications and options. Feel free to bring any yoga props to class- although its not necessary. A yoga mat or towel will work and don't forget your water! :)

Plein Air Painting
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 1:00 pm
Join or watch talented artists as they paint “En Plein Air” (French for painting outdoors) on the grounds of the Old Manse. Learn how painters ply their craft, ask questions and revel in the magic. For more information, contact . 1–4pm

Sudbury River Paddle
SuAsCo RSC
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 1:00 pm
RSVP preferred but not required.
Paddle up the Sudbury River from the Wayland Boat Launch at US 20 as far as we can go and return. There will be a possible snack stop at the Greenways. Participants are responsible for boats, paddles, PFDs, drinks, and snacks. Meet at the Wayland Boat Launch at US 20 at 1 PM. Contact trip leader Bill Fadden, , for more information.

Snakes of New England and the World
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 1:00 pm
See a variety of local snakes close-up, and a few exotic ones too. Rick Roth, Director of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team, will bring some of his favorites and talk about their lives and habits. 1-2pm
Arts and Crafts at the Old Manse
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 1:00 pm
Create Your Own Fish and Turtles: Turn recycled soda bottles into colorful fish and bowls into turtles. Younger children can create their own watersticks. 1–2:30pm
One Revolution Art Challenge: Your challenge is to imaginatively fill in the picture surrounding the Old North Bridge - site of the "shot heard 'round the world." Printed activity sheet, pen, pencils, markers and crayons will be at the Old Manse. Then, share your creation on social meeting using #OneRevolutionARt, tagging both @MinuteManNPS and @The UmbrellaArts!

Wildlife-Up Close and Personal
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 1:30 pm
Join Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm and reptiles that live along the banks of rivers and depend on a healthy habitat. 1:30-2:30pm

Dance for the Rivers
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 2:30 pm
Encore Dance Ensemble returns to Riverfest to perform three dances on the beautiful grounds of the Old Manse.
Katonti - An Israeli folk dance with lyrics sung in Hebrew
Joy - In celebration of spring and renewal
Lift Me Up - A spiritual and uplifting dance in honor of racial justice and equity