This year’s American Whitewater Deerfield River Festival is shaping up to be one of the best ever. This years event will bring new activities both on and off the river to the weekend celebration.

Check out what we have going on this year:

American Whitewater Membership Drive
Each year American Whitewater gathers up all sorts of goodies to host the annual Deerfield American Whitewater membership drive.  Folks that join or renew there AW membership get hooked up with magazines, dvds, stickers, food, drinks, and a chance to win one of three free kayaks from Dagger Kayaks, Jackson Kayaks, and Wavesport Kayak.

The Deerfield River Festival AW membership drive will also be part of the ongoing Member Get a Member program.  Members can recruit new members for American Whitewater and have the opportunity to win KEEN Zerraport Sandals and a Liquid Logic Kayak.  For more information on the Member Get a Member campaign go to: 

Deerfield River Boat and Bike
The Deerfield River Boat and Bike is a new race from the Dryway section of the river to Zoar Gap. Competitors will sprint the Dryway section of the Deerfield River and then ride bicycle’s to the Zoar Gap Picnic Area. The competition can be completed by individuals or in a relay format by two individuals.

Signup are being taken on the American Whitewater website before Wednesday July 25th. The race is $25 for an individual and $35 for a team of two and includes a Deerfield Festival Shirt and festival entrance. Signups will also be taken on the day of the event with a $5 additional fee. 

Kids Activities
Every year at the Deerfield Festival it seems that there are more and more kids running around, playing games, and crawling into boats.  This year we have a bunch of activities for the little ones, including a wiffle ball game, rubber ducky race, and pie eating contest.  The kids’ activities will all take place in the festival field starting around 4:00.

Grownup Kid (Adult) Activities
We have a few hidden things up our sleeves for this year’s festival but here is just a taste of what is in store:

• Raft Guide “Superguide” Challenge
• Silent Auction with all the latest whitewater gear and goodies

Shuttle
Staying in the area?  Want to have a great time and still get home safe and sound?  Thanks to the extreme generosity of Zoar Outdoor we will be offering shuttles from local campgrounds to and from the festival site.  Zoar Outdoor will be running shuttle trips from 10:00 – 12:00.  The shuttle will be stopping at the following locations:

-          Mohawk Park

-          Mohawk Trail State Forest

-          Oxbow Resort Hotel

-          Red Rose Motel

-          Country Aire Campground

Volunteer
It’s not necessarily the activities that make the Deerfield River Festival so much fun, it’s the people.  The festival takes many volunteers to pull together, any interested in donating just a few hours of time to help park cars, man the silent auction, or serve beer should email ben@amwhitewater.org.