By Ronald Trahan
“Competition is the spice of sports,” said American writer, editor, and educator George Leonard (1923-2010), “but if you make spice the whole meal, you’ll be sick.”
While 10-year-old Hadley Carlson is indeed an avid competitor at life in general, she also is a fun-seeker. The prospect of combining fun with competition is a very big reason why she encourages kids and adults to enter this year’s annual Round Island Regatta — which will be a part of the inaugural Piscataqua Riverfest celebration to be held on Saturday, June 1st.
“I like how it’s friendly but still a competition,” says Hadley. “And I love how there’s more than one category of competition. Some people enter the ‘best costume’ category and dress up in all sorts of costumes. Then there are those who don’t wear a costume and just enjoy competing as a sailor or skuller or rower. People also get involved just by watching all the craziness from shore.”
Round Island Regatta will be just part of the daylong family event of Riverfest, which is organized by Gundalow Company in partnership with Strawbery Banke Museum. In addition to the Round Island Regatta boat race in which to compete or watch, Riverfest also will include a boat show exhibiting traditional wooden boats at Strawbery Banke Museum; as well as Harbor Sails on the gundalow Piscataqua; the “Changing Nature” exhibit in the Sheafe Warehouse; and maritime demonstrations for all ages.
If you’re thinking that the Round Island Regatta is just for adults and teens, please know that there is also a great Little Gundalow Derby race for kids too. Each kid gets one model Gundalow to race, and they build and decorate them and then launch them off the dock. “Last year, there was even a toddler in this derby!” adds Haley.
All Riverfest event information and tickets, including entry into the Round Island Regatta, are available at piscataquariverfest.com or in person at 60 Marcy Street, Portsmouth. Admission to Riverfest is $15 for adults and $8 for children, with discounts available to members, military, and seniors. Special discounts at various restaurants and other consumer venues throughout the region will be available with the purchase of admission to Riverfest.
This post was originally published in June, 2019 by the Gundalow Company, a proud partner of the Every Drop Alliance.
All photos by Michael Sterling.
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