Naugatuck Valley River Race this Saturday (5/8/2010) – 5/6/2010

Posted by Bob on May 6, 2010 under Daily Blogs | Be the First to Comment

The annual Naugatuck Valley River Race will take place this Saturday, May 8, 2010, beginning at 11:00 AM.  Participants are asked to register between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM at 180 Platts Mill Road, in Naugatuck.  The registration form can be downloaded here.  The registration form also includes the rules and logistics of the race.  The event website can be accessed here.

Naugatuck residents can view racers along the banks of the river at Linden Park, or from the Whittemore Bridge in Downtown Naugatuck.  The race begins at Platts Mills along the Waterbury-Naugatuck border, and concludes in downtown Beacon Falls near the fire station.

In addition to the river race, there will be  a five (5) kilometer road race in Beacon Falls which will benefit the Laurel Ledge School Parent Teacher Organization and the Nicholas Anthony Bielik Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Events will conclude with a festival in downtown Beacon Falls including music, food and craft booths.

The river race has become an annual event attracting canoe and kayak racers from throughout Connecticut and beyond.  As a lifelong resident of Naugatuck, I find it amazing that we are now using the river for recreational purposes.  After years of neglect and abuse, numerous people are now realizing the beauty and potential of the Naugatuck.  The river has made a remarkable comeback from its days as one of the nation’s most polluted waterways.  We look forward to the next big day for the river: the Naugatuck Duck Day festival which will take place on Sunday, June 6, 2010.

Good luck to all racers for a fun day on the Naugatuck!