RiverFest Event Types
Rain-Friendly Events
Event #1, The Old Manse, Concord
The Nature Of Stories: The Hike
Saturday, July 8, 10:30 am
A group of friends go for a hike in the woods, explore the natural world around them and record their findings in a journal. After the storytime, make a nature journal of your own. The Old Manse (269 Monument St.)
Location: The Old Manse, Concord
Event #2, The Old Manse, Concord
The Nature Of Stories: We Are Water Protectors
Saturday, July 15, 10:30 am
When a black snake threatens to poison earth’s water, a young girl joins her community in protecting their water. Following the storytime, create cool illustrations with watercolors and wax. The Old Manse (269 Monument St.)
Location: The Old Manse, Concord
Event #3, The Old Manse, Concord
What Is Your Watershed Address?
Saturday, July 15, 11:45 am
Rivers connect us! Through hands-on activities, learn about your own watershed and how you can protect it. We will meet under the big tent if rainy! The Old Manse (269 Monument St.)
This is one of our Junior River Ranger programs, designed for children 6-12. Explore and learn about our rivers with us or on your own and complete the Junior River Ranger Booklet to earn a Junior River Rangers badge and certificate.
Location: The Old Manse, Concord
Event #4, Wright Woods, Concord
Wright Woods Walk
Sunday, July 16, 10:00 am
This event is full and registration has been closed.
Join Rachel Wheeler and John Myers for a guided loop walk in the Concord Land Conservation Trust’s Wright Woods beginning at the Fairhaven Bay Overlook and exploring the trails along Well Meadow and the Sudbury River. This 300 acre woodland is located between Fairhaven Bay and Walden Pond. In addition to appreciating local flora and beaver activity, you will learn about the history of the property, the stone terraces and boathouse, and the family that loved and preserved these woods. The 2-hour walk will cover approximately 2 miles of moderate terrain.
Rachel Wheeler is the great-niece of Helen Robinson Wright, who began donating parcels of land within Wright Woods in 1959 and was instrumental in the creation of the Concord Land Conservation Trust. Rachel and her husband John Myers continue to live on the property at Staples Camp. They intimately know the woods and shores of Wright Woods. To walk and experience this remarkable place with them will be a unique treat.
Location: Wright Woods, Concord
Event #5, The Old Manse, Concord
The Nature of Stories: Kala and the Bees
Saturday, July 22, 10:30 am
The typically brave Kaia has one fear: bees. When her father gets beehives to go on the roof of their apartment, Kaia must face her fear and learn about these important insects. After the storytime, make bee hotels to create habitat for bees in our own neighborhoods. The Old Manse (269 Monument St.)
Location: The Old Manse, Concord
Event #6, Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Family Fishing & Festivities at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, July 29, 10:00 am
Join us for a fun-filled day of hands-on activities. Bring a picnic to enjoy overlooking the beautiful Sudbury River. Rain (some activities only) or shine at the Refuge Headquarters. 73 Weir Hill Rd. For information call 978-443-4661.
***Because of hazardous weather conditions (heat advisory, thunderstorms and heavy rain) we are canceling the fishing and archery events. All other activities, including Snake Man, will be held indoors in the Refuge Headquarters. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you!***
Calling All Anglers
Saturday, July 29, 10:00 am
CANCELED because of severe weather and a heat advisory. Beginners and experience anglers come join MassWildlife’s Angler Education Program to learn how to fish. All equipment will be provided free of charge.
Family Fun for Everyone
Saturday, July 29, 12:00 pm
Archery, arts and crafts, and self-guided hikes on the accessible boardwalk trail to discover the variety of riverine habitats.
***Archery has been canceled due to a heat advisory and heavy rain/thunderstorms.
All other activities will be held indoors. See you there! ***
Who Lives in the Watershed
Saturday, July 29, 11:45 am
Join Refuge Ranger Wilson to learn about local wildlife, how they depend on each other, and for an exploration of the prehistoric dragonfly.
This is one of our Junior River Ranger programs, designed for children 6-12. Explore and learn about our rivers with us or on your own and complete the Junior River Ranger Booklet to earn a Junior River Rangers badge and certificate.
***Ranger Wilson will hold the local wildlife program indoors. Macroinvertebrates/bugs and microscopes will be set up for all to examine. Weather permitting, he will take visitors to the river to collect samples!
The BIO team will sent up tables of plants to ID.
The Junior River Ranger booklets will be available! We look forward to seeing you!
***
Snakes of New England and the World
Saturday, July 29, 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.
***Snake Man will bring his snakes indoors! Join us for this exciting event.***
Location: Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Event #7, Old Manse, Concord
Stories, Dance, Art, and History at the Old Manse
Saturday, August 5, 10:00 am
Come to the riverbank by foot, or paddle, bring a picnic, and enjoy a day of entertainment at the historic Old Manse at 269 Monument St. Rain or shine.
Plein Air Painting
Saturday, August 5, 10:00 am
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 .
Outdoor Yoga
Saturday, August 5, 10:00 am
Join instructor Ashley Nichols for a gentle hour of relaxing yoga on the lawn of the Old Manse with views of the river. This class is welcome to all ages and levels. Please bring your own mat or towel to use along with water and any other props you wish to use. No pre-sign up required so please just show up as you are. Namaste.5
The Nature of Stories: The Story of a Butterfly
The Trustees
Saturday, August 5, 10:30 am
An elementary school class goes to a butterfly sanctuary and learns about these beautiful pollinators. After the storytime, you will make butterflies out of recycled materials.
North Bridge: History and Memory
Saturday, August 5, 11:00 am
Meet a Park Ranger at the benches by the North Bridge for this 30 minute program. Learn about the momentous battle at Concord’s North Bridge, where the British Army suffered its first casualties of the war, and the legacy of this event in American History.
Family Arts & Crafts
Saturday, August 5, 11:30 am
Create your own turtle, make a colorful journal, and more environmentally friendly art projects.
Our Rivers Have History!
Saturday, August 5, 12:30 pm
Native Americans and early settlers used the rivers, in 1775 the American Revolution began along our rivers, and famous authors were inspired to write about our rivers. Join us for a storytime and activity.
This is one of our Junior River Ranger programs, designed for children 6-12. Explore and learn about our rivers with us or on your own and complete the Junior River Ranger Booklet to earn a Junior River Rangers badge and certificate.
Dance at the Manse
Saturday, August 5, 1:45 pm
Encore Dance Ensemble returns to perform original works demonstrating life-long learning and personal fulfillment through the art of dance. The Riverfest performance includes the following themes: life milestones, love. Joy, and appreciation of the natural world.
Our Rivers in American History
Saturday, August 5, 3:00 pm
Ron McAdow’s readings and commentary will show why “Literature” is considered one of the unique properties of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. Henry Thoreau’s writing is foremost, but Emerson, Hawthorne, and lesser known authors have embedded our rivers in America’s literary culture.
Ron authored guidebooks to principal rivers in eastern Massachusetts. The Concord, Sudbury, and Assabet Rivers was published in 1990. His recent books are guides: Imagining the Past at Mount Misery and Concord Village. His unique edition of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Nature was released in the fall of 2022.
In addition to being a author of books and guides, filmmaker, and educator, Ron served for ten years as Executive Director of Sudbury Valley Trustees, a regional conservation non-profit.
Garden and Meadow Pollinators by the River
Saturday, August 5, 4:00 pm
Join Margie Coffin Brown for a guided walk through the Buttrick Gardens. Initially constructed in 1910 by the Buttrick family and conveyed to the National Park Service in the 1960s, the historic gardens and adjacent meadows contain an array of mid-summer pollinator plants. Learn more about plant characteristics and appeal to bees, butterflies, birds, and other species. Bring binoculars and we will have some to share. For more information, call 617 620 2942. Meet in front of the North Bridge Visitor Center (174 Liberty St.)
Location: Old Manse, Concord
Event #8, The Old Manse, Concord
The Nature Of Stories: Bird Count
Saturday, August 12, 10:30 am
A young girl and her mother go out to see how many birds they can count in a single day. After the storytime, you will make a birdhouse out of recycled milk cartons. The Old Manse (269 Monument St.)
Location: The Old Manse, Concord
Come, connect, and experience your local Wild and Scenic Rivers! A RiverFest Summer!
Enjoy free hikes, paddles, walks, music, and family fun all summer long in this annual celebration of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic River. Explore all the rivers have to offer, just west of Boston!
Event Categories
Biking Events
On-River Events
Be a Junior River Ranger this Summer!
Through hands-on activities, learn how special our Wild & Scenic Rivers are and how you can help protect them. Join one, or all, of our fun hands-on Junior River Ranger events, listed with a river ranger badge, to receive a River Rangers booklet. Complete the booklet with us or through your own explorations to earn a Junior River Ranger badge and certificate. If you can’t join us, email or call 617-981-2116 to have your free booklet mailed to you. Or download a pdf version of the booklet from the link below. Designed for kids 6-12.
- What Is Your Watershed Address?
- Recreating On Our Rivers
- Family Fishing & Festivities at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
- Stories, Dance, Art, and History at the Old Manse
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Events by Week
- July 1st – July 9th (5 events)
- July 10th – July 16th (7 events)
- July 17th – July 23rd (5 events)
- July 24th – July 30th (3 events)
- July 31st – August 6th (5 events)
- August 7th – August 13th (5 events)
