Piscataqua Riverfest
CELEBRATES LOCAL RIVERS, BAYS & MARITIME HISTORY
Saturday, July 20th, 2024 from 10am-5pm
On the grounds of Strawbery Banke, 14 Hancock St, Portsmouth
Parking info: https://piscataquariverfest.com/contact/
4th ANNUAL PISCATAQUA RIVERFEST CELEBRATES LOCAL RIVERS, BAYS & MARITIME HISTORY!
The Piscataqua Riverfest is Portsmouth’s annual celebration of the rivers and bays! Come for the traditional boat show, food, music, demonstrations, and maritime vendors. There is something for everyone of all ages at this Gundalow Company event and it’s FREE entry for all!
- Traditional boat show of stunning wooden boats on the grounds of Strawbery Banke, 14 Hancock St.
- Gundalow sails and dockside tours depart from the Sheafe Warehouse dock, at the end of the Water St. alley in Prescott Park
- Visiting Coast Guard boats with free dockside tours in Prescott Park
- Free entry into the Strawbery Banke Museum all day!
- The 14th Annual Round Island Regatta from 10:30-1pm – sail, paddle, or row in this family friendly race from the Peirce Island Boat Launch including the Great Little Gundalow Derby with boat kits for kids under 10.
- Maritime demonstrations including a blacksmith, oar making, rope maker, wood art, touch tank, science experiments, and more!
- Local non-profits with activities
- Food Trucks including Whoa Nellies and Sleazy Vegan
- Fresh oysters from Fox Point Oysters
- Desserts from Kona Ice and Oro Ice Cream
- A beer garden served by Maeve’s Mobile Cocktail Hour with local brews
Musical Performances and family activities:
- Local musicians: Carol Coronis & EJ Ouellette 1-2:30pm & Drowned Valley 3:30-5pm
- Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals @ 10:30 and noon
- Children’s Music from Sammie Haynes at 2:30-3:15pm
- Face Painting for free from 12:30-3pm
On the water:
- The Gundalow PISCATAQUA offers free dockside tours from 3-5pm with photos from the helm, hands-on with critters (lobsters, moon snails) by the waterfront in Prescott Park
- Join the sunset sail down the namesake river past the shipyard, forts, and lighthouses at 6-8pm.
- Visiting boats from the US Coast Guard will be dockside for free tours as well.
Free entry into the Strawbery Banke Museum all day!
Seacoast residents and visitors alike are invited to join the celebration to promote the health, history, and resiliency of the Piscataqua Region. The complex river system is surrounded by people and organizations working hard to protect it, and their stewardship makes Portsmouth a top destination for exhibiting the rich maritime heritage.
