The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race on the Mattapoisett River will take place on Monday, May 29, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Hartley’s Reservoir on Snipatuit Road and finishing at the
Mattapoisett Herring Weir at River Road and Route 6.

Pre-registration is required and there will only be one registration session held at the Rochester Council on Aging on Friday, May 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

A signed registration form must be submitted by each contestant for a team to be eligible for a starting position. Registration forms and rules may be obtained at Lloyd’s Market, at Art Benner’s house located at 319 Cushman Road or at the registration session. Email Art Benner at artbenner@comcast.net to request the rules and registration form.

Completed forms can be returned to 319 Cushman Road. Registration forms must be in the Committee’s hands by Friday, May 19, 8 p.m. in order for last year’s
teams to be assigned a starting position based on last year’s finish position or for new teams to draw a starting position this year.

A Kayak Division will be included in the race this year. Basic guidelines for the kayak division are: minimum age 18, single person kayak that the contestant can sit inside of the cockpit, contestant must wear an approved United States Coast Guard flotation device for the entire race, and there will be a $10 entry fee. 

The minimum age to compete in the Mattapoisett River Racer boats is seven years old on Memorial Day. There will 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.

The traditional Ham and Bean Supper will take place at the  senior center at, 67 Dexter’s Lane, Saturday, on May 27, 5 to 7 p.m.

There will be raffles for two carbon fiber racing paddles made by Bill Watling III. Tickets will be sold at the registration session and at the ham and bean supper. The winners will be drawn at the supper.

For further information contact Boat Race Chairman, Arthur F. Benner, 508-763-2024 or email;
artbenner@comcast.net . Check Facebook ‘Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race’ for updated info.