After a two year hiatus American Whitewater’s Deerfield Fest is back! The paddling community will come together on the weekend of August 6-7 at Berkshire East in Charlemont, MA for a full weekend of outdoor activities while showcasing whitewater paddlesports. The event will raise funds and membership for American Whitewater.

The Deerfield Festival Weekend will include these exciting events:

Deerfield Fest, Saturday, August 6

For more than 25 years, American Whitewater has hosted the Deerfield Fest to celebrate the successful dam relicensing process that provides 32 annual whitewater releases on the Dryway and 106 annual whitewater releases on Fife Brook. The main festival activities take place on Saturday evening from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. and provide entertainment for both paddlesport and non-paddlesport enthusiasts young and old. The Deerfield River Festival is a critical fundraiser for American Whitewater, and is one of our premiere events. All proceeds from the festival support American Whitewater’s conservation and access work throughout the Northeast including the dam relicensings on the Deerfield and nearby Connecticut River.

Lake Side Drive returns to Berkshire East!  They’ll keep the music going from 6-10pm in the Backyard during the Riverfest Event.

Riverfest is the biggest event of the summer with nearly two dozen outdoor adventure outfitters all coming together with food, local beers, games, prizes, a dunk tank, and much more!

Zoar Outdoor Demos & Clinics, Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7

Zoar Outdoor will provide boat demos and clinics for paddlers on the Deerfield River. Try out the latest whitewater kayaks, canoes and SUPs. Zoar Outdoor will also offer clinics with skilled instructors on Fife Brook and the Dryway.

Other activities during the Festival Weekend will include Josh Wright Dryway Boater-X Beater-X Race and flatwater touring on the Sherman Reservoir.