With summer coming to a close, it’s probably a good idea to spend a little extra time around the water. Maybe a weekend, perhaps?
Good news then, ’cause this Saturday and Sunday just so happen to be the third annual Weekend on the Water at Riverfront Park/Everett Arena.
Celebrate Concord’s stretch of the Merrimack River by cheering on the dragon boat races and watching several schools power down the river competing in the Concord Crew Regatta before taking a duck boat tour of the city (unfortunately on land only). Taste a couple craft brews, listen to local musicians and cheer on your duck in the rubber duck race.
The only dragon boat races in New Hampshire will be held Saturday. A dragon boat team consists of 22 people – 20 paddlers, a drummer and a helmsman. Races will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The third annual Capital Cup Brew Festival will be held on Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m. More than 30 craft breweries will participate in the event. A beer garden will also be open starting at 11 a.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $15 or at the door for $20.
The duck boat tours will run on Saturday and Sunday. So enjoy a tour of the city narrated by a Concord celebrity (Hint: It’s not us), visiting places like the NHTI campus, McAuliffe-Shepherd Discovery Center, the historic North End – including the Franklin Pierce Manse – White Park, the State House and the site of the original Concord Coach factory. Seats can be reserved for $5 each.
This year’s duck race will be bigger than ever. Last year, nearly 6,000 ducks sped down the river and depending on how many you buy that number might just go up this weekend. The first 10 ducks to enter the duck trap will win cash prizes, and the first three winning ducks will win a trophy, too. The ducks will be released at 1 p.m. on Sunday and cost $5 each or buy a Quack Pack of five ducks for $20.
You’ll also find food, live music, kids’ activities and much more.
Proceeds from this city-wide event will go into the community’s nonprofit organizations and toward improving our city’s parks.
There is no admission fee for the event (although several activities charge a fee) so you can come and enjoy the festivities for as long as you want. Tickets for the tours are available for purchase online at concordwow.org and available for sale the day of the event while seats last. You can buy ducks at the Rotary trailer and other tents during the weekend until sold out.
The event will be jointly sponsored by Concord Parks & Recreation Department, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Concord, and the Friends of Concord Crew.
For further information, contact Laura Bryant with the Concord Parks & Rec Department at lbryant@concordnh.gov or Keeling at skeeling_5@hotmail.com.
Visit concordwow.org for a complete schedule and all the details you’ll need.
Insider staff
