Registration begins May 13 for Memorial Day Boat Race
The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race on the Mattapoisett River, sponsored by the Rochester Fire Department, will take place on Monday, May 30, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, Snipatuit Road, in Rochester and finish at the Herring Weir, River Road at Route 6 in Mattapoisett.
Contestants must be at least six years old on Memorial Day, and there must be two people per boat. The boat must be a homemade river racer design of any material. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles.
Divisions include open/mens, womens, junior boys, junior girls, co-ed and parent/child. Junior division teams are both contestants under 14 years old. Parent/child is for a parent with his/her child (child under 14 years old) or an adult (25 or older) with a child (child under 14 years old). Trophies are awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each division.
Pre-registration is required.
Contestants may register at the Rochester Grange Hall, 205 Hartley Road, Friday, May 13 and Friday, May 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. No registrations will be accepted after Friday, May 20 at 8 p.m. There is no entry fee.
Those who raced last year are asked to register the first night, if possible.
Rules and registration forms may be obtained at Lloyd’s Market and at the registration sessions. A signed registration form must be submitted by each contestant for a team to be eligible to draw a starting position.
The Boat Race Ham and Bean supper will be served on the Saturday evening of the Memorial Day weekend, May 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rochester Memorial School. Tickets for the supper may be purchased at the door. Proceeds from the supper, along with donations, fund the expenses of the race.
Trophies and prizes will be awarded Memorial Day at the Rochester Memorial School at 7:30 p.m.
For further information contact Boat Race Chairman, Arthur Benner at 508-763-2024.