Events under 'Community Events'

MAY 24-25: Free whitewater kayak demos at the Outfitters Shop! For qualified paddlers only. 7 Main St Charlemont MA. Demos include Dagger, Jackson, Pyranha, and Werner Paddles.

While you're at the Outfitters Shop, drop off your lightly-used paddlesports gear for consignment! It will be the grand opening of our River Revival Consignment Shop.

The Deerfield River will have the first Monroe Bridge Dryway section dam release of the season and flows on the Fife Brook/Zoar Gap section. Outfitters Shop will also have 15-20% off sales on top brands. Don't miss this amazing weekend!

Saturday June 21 - SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2025

Come celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride month on the Deerfield River! All LGBTQ+ people and allies are invited to paddle down the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River on Saturday, June 21. Experienced paddlers will spend the day paddling on the river and building community. Visit https://www.pridedayontheriver.org/ for more information and to sign up. All activities are free of charge thanks to our sponsors Zoar Outdoor, NRS, Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation, and L.L. Bean and American Canoe Association!

How to participate?

1. Experienced Community Paddle on Fife: For people experienced with whitewater and comfortable on the Fife Brook section (Class II-III) of the Deerfield River. Put on Saturday June 21 at 12:00pm. LGBTQ+ people and allies welcome!
2. 2-Day Beginner Whitewater Clinic with Zoar: For people who want to learn the basics of whitewater kayaking and identify as LGBTQ+. Both Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22. Must attend both days. Lunch included. Complete the interest form here. For any questions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
3. LGBTQ-Affinity Group Whitewater Rafting on the Zoar Gap Section of the Deerfield River, Saturday, June 21, The Deerfield River’s most popular rafting section with Class II whitewater rapids and one Class III rapid which is ideal for LGBTQ beginner rafters. Complete the interest form here. For any questions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
4. LGBTQ-Affinity Group Whitewater Rafting on the Dryway/Monroe Bridge Section of the Deerfield River, Sunday, June 22, For the more experienced LGBTQ adventurer, the Dryway section of the Deerfield offers advanced whitewater excitement in the beautiful northern Berkshires. Complete the interest form here. For any questions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
5. LGBTQ-Affinity Group Dryway Run Sunday, June 22. For the experienced LGBTQ class 3/4 boater. If interested, email here.

On Saturday June 21, we will all aim to be off the river and at Zoar by around 4:30pm for the After Party at Zoar Outdoor to connect with new and old friends with a DJ and entertainment, food, drawing prizes and silent auction, and stickers!

Why are we doing this? With a history of prejudice, discrimination, and abuse in the outdoors, LGBTQ+ people can be hesitant to engage in new outdoor recreation activities, which contributes to the lack of diversity in the outdoors. This event specifically creates inclusive and affirming spaces for the queer community to explore outdoor recreation opportunities. Facilitating access to river-based activities can build a more inclusive and diverse outdoor movement. The purpose of the day is for LGBTQ+ people and allies to participate in whitewater boating, make friends, and create community and connections to encourage further enjoyment and stewardship of our outdoor world.

This event is for adults 18 and older only unless joining the Experienced Community Paddle and accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants are required to wear PFDs and helmets when in boats or in the water. Come celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride month on the Deerfield River!

Enjoy a weekend of paddling on the Deerfield River and then join us at Deerfield RiverFest at Berkshire East for live music, paddlesports vendors, and a silent auction to benefit American Whitewater's river conservation and recreation access work throughout the northeast.

For more than 25 years, American Whitewater has hosted the Deerfield RiverFest to celebrate the successful dam relicensing process that provides 32 annual whitewater releases on the Dryway section and 106 annual whitewater releases on Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River.

The main festival activities take place on Saturday evening from 5-10pm at Berkshire East, Charlemont, MA and provide entertainment for both paddlesport and non-paddlesport enthusiasts young and old. Admission to the event is $10 per person.

The Deerfield River Festival is a critical fundraiser for American Whitewater, and is one of their premiere events. All proceeds from the festival support American Whitewater’s conservation and access work throughout the Northeast including the dam relicense on the Deerfield and nearby Connecticut River.

American Whitewater needs your help! Volunteers are a key part of the success of Deerfield Fest. This is one of the easiest ways to help American Whitewater's river stewardship work, by helping us put on this critical fundraiser. Volunteers can reach out to Erin Buzuvis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.