Waltham Riverfest Comes to Town June 16/17

Bring family and friends to the 9th Annual Waltham Riverfest, happening on Friday, June 16, in the evening and all day Saturday, June 17. This free annual event celebrating the Charles River and local music, art, and culture is organized by the Downtown Waltham Partnership with support from the City of Waltham, the Waltham Land Trust, and many volunteers.

The fun starts Friday with discounted canoe, kayak and stand up paddleboard rentals from Charles River Canoe and Kayak at their Waltham location just upstream of Moody Street on the river. This group is offering a guided moonlight canoe paddle both Friday and Saturday nights (reservations required). Friday’s live music begins at 6:15 pm and goes until 9 outside Margaritas located at 211 Moody Street and will feature three different bands playing classical, blue grass, and the blues.

On Saturday morning, the Waltham Land Trust leads a walk along the Charles River at 10 leaving from the Landry Park fish ladder, returning in time to see Waltham Riverfest’s opening ceremonies and pet parade at 11, when the festival officially commences. Bands will continue to jam until 7 outside of Margaritas, with vibes spanning all genres, including gospel, jazz, funk, soul, blues, and world music, and at Embassy Park next to Garcia-Brogan’s (240 Moody Street). This stage will feature acoustic and folk musicians, local children’s vocal groups, belly dancers, singer–song writers, and more blues.

Moody Street will be mostly closed to traffic between Pine/Chestnut Street and the railroad tracks where non-profit groups, vendors, food trucks, robotics creators, and artists will engage festival attendees. Using tempera paints, spray chalk and sidewalk chalk, artists from Waltham Mills Artists Association and Waltham High will invite festival-goers to help create a temporary mural across Moody Street featuring animals and plants commonly found along the Charles River.

Charles River Canoe and Kayak will again offer discounted watercraft rentals and a guided moonlit paddle. There will be roaming acrobats, story-tellers, and drummers, so definitely bring the whole family down to the river for great time!

For more information about Waltham Riverfest, including ways to volunteer, please visit www.walthamriverfest.com.