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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261018T140000
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DTSTAMP:20261015T205743Z
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SUMMARY:Witch Paddle & Coat Drive at Adventure Mystic
DESCRIPTION:Registration is closed. \nAt a Glance\nWhat: 8th annual Halloween-themed paddle\, community coat drive\, costume contest\, and after-party\nWhen: Sunday\, October 18\, 2026\, 2–6 p.m. (rescheduled due to weather)\nLocation: Adventure Mystic\, 15 Holmes Street\, Mystic\, CT 06355\nWitch Paddle: Bring your own boat; experienced paddlers only\nCoat Drive: Donate a new or gently used coat\nCostume Contest: Prizes for the three best costumes\nAfter-Party: Halloween celebration with DJ and barbecue\nRegistration: Available through Adventure Mystic\nExisting Registrations: Automatically carry over to the new date \nEvent Description\nWitch Paddle & Coat Drive at Adventure Mystic returns for its eighth year on Sunday\, October 18\, combining costumed paddling on the Mystic River with a community coat collection and Halloween after-party. Originally scheduled for an earlier date\, the event has been moved to Sunday because of the weather\, with festivities now taking place from 2 to 6 p.m. \nThe premise is simple: put on your best witch costume\, bring your paddlecraft\, and join other Halloween enthusiasts for an afternoon on the water. Along the way\, participants can help neighbors prepare for colder weather by donating a new or gently used coat. \nOrganized by Adventure Mystic\, the event has become a seasonal celebration that combines outdoor recreation\, Halloween creativity\, and community giving. \nWitches Take to the Mystic River\nThe centerpiece of the afternoon is the Witch Paddle\, when costumed participants take to the water dressed in witch hats\, capes\, and other Halloween attire. \nThe sight of witches paddling along the Mystic waterfront offers a playful twist on the traditional Halloween parade\, replacing streets and sidewalks with the river. \nParticipation in the paddle is restricted to experienced paddlers\, and participants must bring their own boats. \nThose who prefer to remain on dry land can still enjoy the Halloween atmosphere and participate in the coat drive and other activities. \nA Coat Drive With a Community Purpose\nBeyond the costumes and festivities\, the event includes a collection of new and gently used coats. \nAttendees are encouraged to bring a coat to donate\, helping provide warm clothing as southeastern Connecticut moves into the colder months. \nThe drive adds a practical charitable element to the celebration. Even visitors who are not participating in the paddle can contribute. \nCostume Prizes and Halloween Fun\nCostumes are an important part of the Witch Paddle tradition\, and participants are encouraged to get creative. \nPrizes will be awarded for the top three costumes\, giving attendees an incentive to go beyond the familiar pointed hat and black cape. \nThe event is open to a range of Halloween looks\, and organizers encourage participants to arrive in their best witchy or seasonal attire. \nDJ\, Barbecue\, and an After-Party\nFollowing the paddle\, the celebration continues with a Halloween after-party featuring a DJ and barbecue. \nThe gathering provides an opportunity for paddlers and other attendees to socialize\, enjoy the costumes\, and celebrate the afternoon together. \nThe combination of an on-water Halloween spectacle and a land-based party makes the event a distinctive addition to Mystic’s October calendar. \nRescheduled for Sunday\, October 18\nOrganizers announced that the eighth annual Witch Paddle & Coat Drive was rescheduled because of the weather. \nThe new date is Sunday\, October 18\, from 2 to 6 p.m.\, at Adventure Mystic\, 15 Holmes Street. \nAnyone who registered for the original date does not need to register again. Existing registrations automatically carry over. \nNew participants can still register through Adventure Mystic. \nWith its combination of witches on the water\, Halloween costumes\, music\, food\, and charitable giving\, the afternoon offers a festive way to celebrate the season while supporting the local community. \n\n\n  \n\nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/witch-paddle-coat-drive-at-adventure-mystic/
LOCATION:Adventure Mystic\, 15 Holmes Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adventure Mystic
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260919T100000
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SUMMARY:Waterfest 2026 Brings Paddling\, Indigenous Music\, Art and a Community Conversation to Long Pond
DESCRIPTION:Waterfest 2026 brings a full day of paddling\, swimming\, music\, art\, environmental learning\, and community conversation to Long Pond in Ledyard on Saturday\, September 19\, with this year’s festival built around a deceptively simple theme: Water Inspires. \nThe Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed’s free annual gathering takes place at 79 Homestead Road\, along a part of the watershed where recreation\, Indigenous history\, wildlife habitat and some very modern questions about flooding and climate resilience all converge. \nThe main Waterfest program begins at 10 a.m.\, with an optional Native-led Lantern Hill hike beginning earlier at 8 a.m. The day’s scheduled activities continue through 4 p.m.\, followed by event cleanup through 5:30. \nAnd this isn’t a festival where the water merely provides the scenery. \nParticipants can get onto Long Pond\, learn how to keep invasive species from hitching a ride on their boats\, paddle toward the site of a proposed fishway\, hear Indigenous music and poetry\, and participate in discussions about what should happen to this landscape in the future. \nWaterfest Is Free for a Reason\nThe Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed describes Waterfest as one of its two signature free community learning events\, along with Springfest. \nThe organization deliberately mixes environmental education with recreation\, arts\, food and conversation. \nWaterfest isn’t intended to feel like a conference about water. \nIt’s meant to get people interacting with it. \nThis year’s “Water Inspires” theme looks at the different ways water can inspire life\, creativity\, learning\, collaboration and movement. \nThat means swimming and paddling belong beside environmental exhibits. Music and poetry belong beside discussions about flood control. Art belongs beside habitat restoration. \nAdmission is free\, although the Alliance is asking anyone who can contribute to consider making a donation toward the cost of producing Waterfest and its ongoing watershed work. \nThe Day Can Start on Top of Lantern Hill\nFor early risers\, Waterfest actually begins two hours before the main program. \nAn optional Native-led hike on Lantern Hill starts at 8 a.m. \nHikers should meet and sign in at the Two Trees Inn parking lot at 7:45 a.m. \nLantern Hill is far more than a convenient place to get a good view. \nThe quartzite ridge rises dramatically above the surrounding ponds and wetlands and is one of the defining natural landmarks of the upper Mystic River watershed. \nThe hill and surrounding landscape also carry deep cultural significance for the Mashantucket Pequot people. \nBeginning Waterfest there provides a different perspective on everything that follows. \nFrom high ground\, water becomes part of a system rather than an isolated pond. \nLong Pond Is Near the Top of the Mystic River Watershed\nWaterfest’s location helps explain much of the day’s programming. \nThe Mystic River doesn’t simply begin somewhere near downtown Mystic and flow toward the sea. \nIts watershed reaches north through portions of Groton\, Stonington\, Ledyard and North Stonington\, as well as the lands of the Mashantucket Pequot and Eastern Pequot Tribal Nations. \nIn the upper watershed\, water flows through a landscape of forested hills\, wetlands and ponds around Lantern Hill. \nLong Pond is one of the important pieces of that system. \nThe pond covers roughly 100 acres and reaches a maximum depth of about 72 feet. Water leaving its southern end flows into Whitford Brook and eventually continues toward the Mystic River and Long Island Sound. \nSo what happens around Long Pond doesn’t necessarily stay around Long Pond. \nThat’s the basic idea behind a watershed. \nYootay Singers Open the Main Program\nAt 10 a.m.\, the Yootay Singers will help open Waterfest\, followed by welcomes\, introductions and instructions for the day. \nIndigenous participation isn’t an ornamental addition to the festival. \nThe Alliance itself is structured around collaboration among the four watershed municipalities and the Eastern Pequot and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nations. \nThat partnership carries through the day’s schedule. \nLater in the afternoon\, Rashad Young of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation will perform on flute\, followed by poetry from Derrick Strong of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation. \nYoung is the Language Director for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and serves on the Alliance’s Co-Leadership Board. \nHe’s also a traditional artisan. \nHis work includes making Native flutes\, pipes\, bows\, drums\, bags\, leatherwork and other objects informed by Mashantucket Pequot and Narragansett traditions. \nHis flute playing has been featured at Tribal and public ceremonies\, including Schemitzun and Indigenous commemorations at the Connecticut State Capitol. \nAt Waterfest\, that music returns to the landscape from which much of the cultural tradition surrounding it emerged. \nBefore You Paddle\, Learn to Clean the Boat\nThe first boat-cleaning demonstration begins at 10:30 a.m. \nAnother is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. \nIt might sound like a surprisingly mundane subject for a festival until you consider what can travel on a kayak\, canoe\, paddle\, trailer\, fishing equipment or other wet gear. \nAquatic invasive plants and organisms can be moved from one waterbody to another by recreational users without anyone realizing they’re carrying them. \nCleaning\, draining and drying boats and equipment is one of the simplest ways individual paddlers can reduce that risk. \nFor a festival encouraging people to enjoy the water\, teaching them how to avoid damaging the next body of water they visit is a logical companion lesson. \nAt 11\, Waterfest Turns Back to 2010\nOne of the day’s most substantive programs begins at 11 a.m. \nThe first Community Conversation and Design Circle will look back at the catastrophic flooding of March 2010 and ask participants to help develop recommendations for reducing future flood risk. \nFor people who lived around Lantern Hill at the time\, this isn’t an abstract climate discussion. \nThe 2010 flood physically changed the landscape. \nHeavy rain caused Long Pond Dam to overtop. \nWhitford Brook overtopped Lantern Hill Road. \nLantern Hill Pond flooded the intersection around Homestead and Lantern Hill roads. \nA bridge south of Lantern Hill Pond was breached and washed out. \nRoad infrastructure suffered significant damage. \nIn Ledyard\, firefighters spent days pumping flooded properties while public works crews dealt with damaged roads. A year later\, the town was still planning major reconstruction work. \nSixteen years later\, the flood remains important enough that the Alliance’s current Mystic River Watershed Vulnerability Assessment uses photographs of the 2010 event to illustrate the risks facing the upper watershed. \nThe Flood Question Isn’t Settled\nThat’s what makes the Waterfest conversation more than a history lesson. \nThe towns and watershed organizations are still working on infrastructure in the Lantern Hill and Whitford Brook corridor. \nIn 2022\, Ledyard accepted $3 million in state funding for infrastructure improvements involving the Whitford Brook area\, including work connected with Long Pond Dam\, Bush Pond Dam\, Bush Pond Dike and nearby culverts. \nThen\, in April 2026\, Ledyard authorized another $3.2248 million transportation grant for replacement of the Lantern Hill Road bridge over Whitford Brook below Long Pond. \nThose projects exist alongside a broader regional effort to understand how flooding\, extreme heat and drought could affect the Mystic River watershed in the future. \nThe current vulnerability assessment brings together the four watershed towns\, both Tribal Nations\, the Alliance\, Connecticut Sea Grant\, Fuss & O’Neill\, Resilient Land & Water and the Long Island Sound Study. \nWaterfest gives ordinary residents a seat in that conversation. \nLunch Comes With a Dance Like Water Party\nAfter a morning spent thinking about infrastructure and flood resilience\, the schedule deliberately loosens up. \nFrom 12:30 to 1 p.m.\, it’s time for lunch\, music and the Dance Like Water Party. \nFree food is part of the Waterfest experience. \nIt’s another example of how the Alliance has structured its community events differently from conventional environmental meetings. \nYou don’t have to arrive with technical knowledge. \nYou don’t need to belong to an environmental organization. \nYou can come because you want to paddle. \nYou can come for the music. \nYou can come because your children want to swim. \nAnd while you’re there\, you might learn why a culvert a few hundred yards away matters to a fish swimming north from Long Island Sound. \nRashad Young and Derrick Strong Take Over at 1\nAt 1 p.m.\, Waterfest shifts toward Indigenous music and spoken word. \nRashad Young will perform on Mashantucket flute\, followed by poems from Eastern Pequot writer and Alliance co-founder Derrick Strong. \nStrong’s words are already woven into the Alliance’s identity. \nThe organization prominently uses his line: \n“The rivers flow through us.” \nIt’s an unusually concise expression of the idea behind Waterfest. \nA watershed isn’t simply a blue line on a map that communities agree to protect. \nIts water passes through drinking supplies\, ecosystems\, food systems\, cultural traditions and communities. \nThe people living around it are part of the watershed\, too. \nAt 1:30\, Paddle Toward a Fishway That Doesn’t Exist Yet\nOne of the most interesting activities of the day begins at 1:30 p.m. \nFollowing another boat-cleaning demonstration\, participants can join a guided paddle to the future fishway at Long Pond Dam. \nThe project could dramatically change what Long Pond means to migratory fish. \nRight now\, Long Pond Dam creates a barrier on Whitford Brook. \nAlewives are anadromous fish. They’re born in freshwater\, migrate to the ocean and later return to freshwater to spawn. \nA dam can turn what was once a connected migration route into a dead end. \nThe proposed solution at Long Pond is a nature-like fishway. \nInstead of relying on a highly engineered ladder-like structure\, the concept uses a channel designed to mimic natural stream conditions\, allowing fish to gradually move around the obstruction. \nThe Numbers Behind the Fishway Are Enormous\nThe potential ecological payoff is much larger than the size of the project might suggest. \nEngineering work for the Long Pond project reports that Connecticut DEEP Fisheries estimated restored passage could eventually support an annual run of more than 250\,000 alewives. \nThe project could help establish approximately 6.6 miles of connected river corridor\, stretching from the confluence of Whitford Brook and the Mystic River upstream toward the top of the Lantern Hill Pond system. \nAlewives aren’t the only species that could benefit. \nThe Whitford Brook system is also habitat for migratory and resident fish including American eel\, and improved stream connectivity can benefit an entire aquatic food web. \nThat’s why the afternoon paddle is more interesting than simply paddling to a dam. \nParticipants will be traveling toward a place where people are actively trying to reconnect the freshwater at Waterfest with the sea. \nAt 2\, The Conversation Moves From Water to Hemp\nThe second Community Conversation begins at 2 p.m. with an unusual subject: \nLiving in a locally grown hemp home. \nIt may seem like a detour from ponds and fishways\, but it fits the larger theme of community resilience. \nIndustrial hemp can be processed into building materials\, including hemp-lime composites commonly known as hempcrete. These materials have attracted attention as alternatives to more carbon-intensive conventional construction materials. \nWaterfest’s afternoon conversation puts that idea into the local context: what happens when building materials can be grown regionally\, and how might housing itself become part of a more regenerative relationship between people\, land and climate? \nIt’s another example of Waterfest deliberately stretching the definition of watershed care beyond picking up trash beside a stream. \nThere Are Prizes at 3\nThe day’s prize drawing begins at 3 p.m. \nThe Alliance hasn’t published a complete prize list in the event information provided\, so consider that part a surprise. \nThe main public festival concludes at 4 p.m. \nVolunteers who want to stay and help put the site back together can participate in cleanup from 4 to 5:30 p.m. \nThat’s an appropriately practical ending for an event about stewardship. \nWaterfest Is Really About Who Gets to Make the Decisions\nThe Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed is a relatively young nonprofit\, but its organizational model is one of the more interesting things about it. \nRather than treating the watershed as belonging to whichever municipality happens to contain a particular stream\, the Alliance works across four towns and two Tribal Nations. \nIts mission combines ecological health with community resilience and cultural vitality. \nThat matters because water ignores political borders. \nFloodwater doesn’t stop at a town line. \nNeither does pollution. \nNeither does a migrating alewife. \nAnd neither does the Mystic River watershed. \nWaterfest puts that philosophy into practice for a day. \nSwim in the pond. \nPaddle it. \nListen to music beside it. \nLearn how to keep invasive species out of it. \nRemember what happened when it overflowed in 2010. \nImagine hundreds of thousands of fish eventually reaching it again. \nAnd\, most importantly\, join the conversation about what happens next. \nDetails\nEvent: Waterfest 2026\nTheme: Water Inspires\nDate: Saturday\, September 19\, 2026\nMain Location: Long Pond\nAddress: 79 Homestead Road\, Ledyard\, CT\nAdmission: Free\nDonations: Encouraged to help offset Waterfest costs and support the Alliance’s watershed programs\nMain Program: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.\nOptional Lantern Hill Hike: 8 a.m.; meet/sign in at Two Trees Inn parking lot at 7:45 a.m.\n10 a.m.: Yootay Singers; welcome\, introductions and instructions\n10:30 a.m.: Boat-cleaning demonstration\n11 a.m.–Noon: Community Conversation/Design Circle on the 2010 flood and flood-risk-reduction recommendations\n12:30–1 p.m.: Lunch\, music and Dance Like Water Party\n1 p.m.: Rashad Young\, Mashantucket flute; Derrick Strong\, Eastern Pequot poetry\n1:30 p.m.: Boat-cleaning demonstration and guided paddle to the future fishway\n2 p.m.: Community Conversation Round 2\, Living in a Locally Grown Hemp Home\n3 p.m.: Prize drawing\n4–5:30 p.m.: Event cleanup\nActivities: Swimming\, paddling\, environmental learning\, art\, music\, community exhibits and conversations\nOrganizer: Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed\nEvent Contact: 914-462-2857\nWhat to Bring: Dress for outdoor activities and the day’s weather. Participants planning to paddle or swim should bring appropriate personal equipment and follow event safety instructions.\nWeather: Outdoor waterfront event; check the organizer’s event information for any weather-related updates. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \nResources\nAlliance for the Mystic River Watershed – Team\nAlliance for the Mystic River Watershed – Support Our Work\nMystic River Watershed Vulnerability Assessment\nMystic River Watershed Living Atlas\nTown of Ledyard – Whitford Brook Watershed Infrastructure Improvements\nTown of Ledyard – 2026 Lantern Hill Road Bridge Funding\nPrinceton Hydro – Long Pond Nature-Like Fishway\nSave the Sound – Long Pond Fish Passage\nMashantucket Pequot Museum – Rashad Young\nUnited Way of Southeastern Connecticut – Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/waterfest-2026-brings-paddling-indigenous-music-art-and-a-community-conversation-to-long-pond/
LOCATION:Long Pond\, 79 Homestead Rd\, Ledyard\, 06339\, United States
CATEGORIES:Long Pond Ledyard
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T190000
DTSTAMP:20260902T222012Z
CREATED:20260902T222012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T222012Z
UID:10007429-1788627600-1788634800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Red Lion Reggae Band on the Niantic River
DESCRIPTION:Red Lion Reggae Band on the Niantic River Saturday\, September 5\, bringing live roots reggae directly onto the water for an unusual Save the River-Save the Hills event beginning at 5 p.m. \nThere isn’t a parking address to plug into the GPS. \nIn fact\, the event flyer says exactly the opposite: \nNo parking. By boat\, canoe\, kayak\, or float. No landing or docking.  \nIf you’re used to arriving at a club\, festival\, or park to see a band\, this one requires a completely different plan. \nYou need to be on the river. \nRed Lion Comes Out of Southern New England’s Reggae Scene\nRed Lion Reggae Band brings together musicians with roots in a number of reggae projects familiar around southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. \nMembers have musical connections to groups including Soulshot\, Large Up\, Dub Squad\, Inity\, Space Mon Rah and High Voltage Band. \nAt the front is vocalist and percussionist Eric “Irie Feelinz” Williams. \nGuitarist and vocalist Jeff Gibson is another member of the group. \nRather than approaching reggae simply as summertime party music\, Red Lion has been described around the regional music scene as playing conscious\, uplifting reggae\, combining original lyrics with a message centered on positivity and unity. \nThat makes the group a particularly appropriate choice for an environmental gathering on the Niantic River. \nReggae Has Always Had Something to Say\nReggae certainly works on the water. \nBut there’s more to the pairing than atmosphere. \nThe genre that developed in Jamaica during the late 1960s and 1970s has a long history of connecting music with social commentary\, spirituality\, political struggle and calls for unity. \nBob Marley and the Wailers took that message around the world\, but conscious reggae has never been limited to Marley. \nArtists including Peter Tosh\, Burning Spear and generations that followed used reggae to address the world around them rather than treating the music solely as entertainment. \nRed Lion operates within that broader tradition while drawing on decades of reggae played much closer to home. \nThe members’ connections to multiple New England bands give the project a lineage within the region’s own reggae community. \nA Band Built From Familiar Regional Players\nSoutheastern Connecticut has sustained a surprisingly durable reggae scene. \nRed Lion is one of its newer combinations. \nThe band has appeared around New London and elsewhere in southern New England\, including a downtown New London Let Loose Thursday performance. \nThe group’s sound crosses roots reggae and related styles while retaining the live-band character at the center of the genre: vocals\, guitar\, bass\, drums and rhythm working together rather than a preprogrammed approximation of reggae. \nThat should translate particularly well to Saturday’s setting. \nThere isn’t much need to manufacture a tropical atmosphere when the audience is already floating on the Niantic River on Labor Day weekend. \nThe Concert Is Really About the River\nThe location isn’t incidental. \nSave the River-Save the Hills is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Niantic River Estuary\, its watershed and the Oswegatchie Hills. \nIts work extends across the watershed in East Lyme\, Waterford\, Montville and Salem. \nThe organization has spent years advocating for the river while also trying to make a larger point about watersheds: \nWhat happens on land eventually affects the water. \nDevelopment\, stormwater runoff\, nutrients\, sewage and changes to the surrounding landscape can all influence an estuary. \nThat’s why the organization’s name includes both halves. \nSave the River. \nSave the Hills. \nThe Niantic River Isn’t Really a Conventional River\nThe Niantic River is an estuary connected to Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound. \nFresh water draining from the surrounding watershed meets salt water moving inland from the Sound\, creating a productive environment for marine and coastal life. \nThat connection also makes the estuary sensitive to what happens upstream and along its shores. \nWater doesn’t respect town boundaries. \nRunoff entering a tributary miles away can ultimately become part of the same system used by boaters\, anglers\, wildlife and people living along the Niantic River. \nSave the River-Save the Hills has built much of its work around that interconnectedness. \nOne of Its Most Practical Programs Happens From a Boat\nThe organization doesn’t limit itself to advocacy. \nIt also operates the Niantic River pumpout boat. \nThe concept is remarkably straightforward. \nRecreational boats equipped with holding tanks accumulate sewage. Instead of that waste entering local waters\, boaters can use the pumpout service to have it removed. \nThe program operates during boating season\, with service continuing beyond Labor Day on a reduced weekend schedule. \nIt’s one of those environmental programs that isn’t particularly glamorous but produces an easily understood result: \nWaste removed from a boat is waste that doesn’t end up in the estuary. \nSo there is something fitting about Save the River-Save the Hills bringing people together for another event that can only be experienced from boats. \nThe Hills Above the River Matter Too\nThe organization’s other major focus is visible from its name. \nSave the River-Save the Hills has worked alongside Friends of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve and other conservation advocates to protect undeveloped land in the Oswegatchie Hills. \nMore than 450 acres are already protected within the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve. \nAdditional land has remained the subject of a long-running conservation effort. \nThe reason is both scenic and ecological. \nForested hills absorb rainfall\, provide wildlife habitat and help reduce the amount and speed of runoff moving toward waterways. \nProtecting the forest above the Niantic River therefore becomes part of protecting the river itself. \nIt’s watershed conservation in its most literal form. \nEarlier Saturday\, People Will Be Running Through Those Hills\nSeptember 5 happens to put both halves of the organization’s mission on display\, although the events are separate. \nAt 9 a.m.\, the fifth annual Run for the Hills 5K takes place at the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve. \nThat event is a roughly 3.3-mile trail race and hike raising money for maintenance of the preserve. \nEight hours later\, Red Lion begins playing on the Niantic River. \nSomeone could conceivably spend the morning running through the hills and the evening listening to reggae from a boat\, but neither event depends upon attending the other. \nFor the evening crowd\, the river itself is the venue. \nWhat We Know — and What We Don’t\nThis is one event where it’s important not to fill in missing details. \nThe promotional flyer confirms a 5 p.m. performance Saturday\, September 5\, on the Niantic River with Red Lion Reggae Band. \nIt also explicitly says there is no parking and access is by boat only. \nWhat isn’t stated is equally important. \nThe flyer doesn’t provide a conventional street address for the concert. It doesn’t advertise a ticket price. It doesn’t identify a public shoreline viewing area. And it doesn’t tell attendees to park somewhere and walk to the performance. \nIt also doesn’t establish whether the musicians will be performing aboard a vessel\, from a dock\, float or waterfront property. \nUntil organizers provide more specific instructions\, those details shouldn’t be assumed. \nThe important instruction for anyone interested in attending is the simplest one on the flyer: \nBy boat only. \nA Different Kind of Labor Day Weekend Concert\nThere will be plenty of places around southeastern Connecticut to hear live music over Labor Day weekend. \nVery few require arriving by water. \nThat gives Red Lion’s September 5 performance a character of its own before the first note is played. \nBoats on the Niantic River. \nA regional reggae band playing conscious music. \nAnd an organization using the water it’s spent years trying to protect as the setting for the gathering. \nSometimes the venue tells most of the story. \nThis time\, the venue is the river. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Red Lion Reggae Band on the Niantic River\nDate: Saturday\, September 5\, 2026\nTime: 5 p.m.\nLocation: Golden Spur\, Niantic River\nFeaturing: The Red Lion Reggae Band\nMusic: Roots and conscious reggae\nPresented in Support of: Save the River-Save the Hills\nAccess: By boat\, canoe\, kayak\, or float. No landing or docking.\nParking: None\nAdmission: No admission charge is stated on the promotional flyer \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/red-lion-reggae-band-on-the-niantic-river/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T160000
DTSTAMP:20260828T174201Z
CREATED:20260817T002323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260828T174201Z
UID:10007205-1787385600-1787414400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Inaugural Island Run Paddle Challenge 2026
DESCRIPTION:Inaugural Island Run Paddle Challenge 2026 sends paddlers onto the waters off Esker Point Beach in Groton on Saturday\, August 22\, with three courses ranging from a one-mile fun paddle to an eight-mile run toward Fishers Island\, followed by an afternoon celebration featuring a barbecue\, live music and SURFRIDER sprints. \nThe new event is designed to work for more than serious racers. Participants can choose a course based on experience and ambition\, with divisions for stand-up paddleboards\, C1 canoes and K1 kayaks. Everyone who completes the challenge receives a finisher medal\, while the fastest paddlers compete for prizes from local businesses. \nMore importantly\, the day benefits a Mystic-based organization with an unusual approach to helping veterans rebuild their working lives: Work Vessels for Veterans. \nThree Courses\, Three Different Challenges\nThe Island Run Paddle Challenge starts and finishes from Esker Point Beach\, with three distances available. \nThe Long Course covers approximately eight miles and takes paddlers toward Fishers Island. It begins at 9 a.m. and provides the day’s biggest endurance challenge. \nThe Short Course is a four-mile route around Ram Island\, beginning at 9:30 a.m. \nFor paddlers looking for something more approachable\, the Fun Course covers one mile around Palmers Cove and begins at 10 a.m. \nCheck-in for all participants begins at 8 a.m. \nThe three distances make this less intimidating than an event built exclusively around an eight-mile open-water race. Experienced paddlers can tackle Fishers Island while recreational participants can still get onto the water and be part of the day without committing to the longest course. \nSUPs\, Kayaks and Canoes\nThe competition is open to several types of paddle craft. \nParticipants can race using a stand-up paddleboard (SUP)\, C1 canoe or K1 kayak. \nRegistration is $99\, and all paddlers receive a finisher medal. \nFirst-\, second- and third-place finishers will receive gift cards and swag contributed by local businesses. \nThe event listing currently states that registration ends August 31\, although the race itself is August 22. That appears to be a date error in the registration information\, so anyone planning to participate should register before race day rather than relying on the listed deadline. \nRegister for the event by clicking Event Ticketing below\nThe Party Starts at Noon\nYou don’t necessarily have to spend the entire day racing. \nThe competitive portion leads into a noon trophy ceremony\, followed by a barbecue and live music at Esker Point Beach. \nSURFRIDER sprints are also planned after the barbecue\, with Surfrider Foundation Connecticut serving as co-host of the event. \nThat makes the afternoon portion particularly accessible for friends and family who aren’t getting into a kayak or onto a paddleboard themselves. They can watch the paddlers return\, stick around for the awards and then join the post-race gathering. \nSupporting Work Vessels for Veterans\nThe beneficiary gives the inaugural race a strong local connection. \nWork Vessels for Veterans is a West Mystic-based nonprofit founded in 2008 to help injured veterans establish businesses and pursue career education by providing them with the equipment they need. \nAnd despite the organization’s name\, that doesn’t necessarily mean boats. \nA “vessel” can be virtually any piece of equipment that helps a veteran build a livelihood. The organization has supplied veterans with everything from agricultural and construction equipment to tools needed for other small businesses. Rather than issuing loans or simply handing recipients cash\, Work Vessels for Veterans purchases or obtains the equipment itself. \nThe organization reports that it has now assisted more than 4\,300 injured veterans\, with recipients in all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than $4.3 million worth of equipment has been provided\, helping launch more than 800 businesses and generating an estimated $42 million in economic activity. \nThat mission has particularly deep roots around Mystic\, Groton and Noank. Work Vessels for Veterans was co-founded by people with connections to southeastern Connecticut’s marine industry\, and several members of its current board come from Groton\, Mystic\, Noank and Niantic. \nSo although the Island Run Paddle Challenge is new\, the organization it’s supporting has been doing this work for nearly two decades. \nA Day on the Water at Esker Point\nEsker Point Beach makes a natural headquarters for the event. \nThe Groton beach looks across Palmer Cove toward the waters surrounding Groton Long Point\, Ram Island and Fishers Island Sound. From there\, organizers can send paddlers onto three substantially different courses without moving the event away from its central gathering point. \nIt’s also a setting where the race and the afternoon celebration fit together particularly well. \nCome to compete and you can spend the morning on the water. \nCome to support somebody who’s racing and there’s still a barbecue\, live music\, awards and the waterfront waiting when they return. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Inaugural Island Run Paddle Challenge 2026 \nDate: Saturday\, August 22\, 2026 \nEvent Hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. \nCheck-In: 8:00 a.m. \nLong Course: 8 miles toward Fishers Island; starts at 9:00 a.m. \nShort Course: 4 miles around Ram Island; starts at 9:30 a.m. \nFun Course: 1 mile around Palmers Cove; starts at 10:00 a.m. \nCraft: SUP\, C1 and K1 \nRegistration: $99 \nFinisher Medal: All paddlers \nAwards: First-\, second- and third-place prizes featuring gift cards and swag from local businesses \nTrophy Ceremony: Noon \nAfter the Race: Barbecue and live music \nAdditional Competition: SURFRIDER sprints following the barbecue \nLocation: Esker Point Beach \nAddress: 900 Groton Long Point Road\, Groton\, CT 06340 \nBeneficiary: Work Vessels for Veterans \nCo-Host: Surfrider Foundation Connecticut \nMore Information\nTo participate in one of the three paddle courses\, use the Event Registration link below. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/inaugural-island-run-paddle-challenge-2026/
LOCATION:Esker Point Beach\, 900 Groton Long Point Rd\, Groton\, 06340\, United States
CATEGORIES:Esker Point Beach
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Inaugural-Island-Run-Paddle-Challenge-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260814T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260814T193000
DTSTAMP:20260813T143613Z
CREATED:20260813T143613Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T143613Z
UID:10007179-1786726800-1786735800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Paddle\, Yoga\, Float & Flow at Flora Whiteley Preserve
DESCRIPTION:Paddle\, Yoga\, Float & Flow at Flora Whiteley Preserve combines yoga\, kayaking and a quiet trip along the Pawcatuck River on Friday\, August 14\, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The Westerly Land Trust program begins on shore with yoga before participants launch their own kayaks\, paddleboards or canoes for an evening on the river. \nCertified yoga instructor Janice Fifer leads the group through Sun Salutations with an emphasis on opening the hips and shoulders\, useful preparation for the paddling that follows. Once everyone is on the water\, the group heads upstream on the Pawcatuck\, stopping along the way for a short meditation before turning around and letting the river’s gentle current help carry them back. \nThis isn’t intended as a strenuous paddle or a race. The Westerly Land Trust describes it as a moderate outing for paddlers with some previous experience\, with much of the emphasis placed on slowing down and spending time outdoors. Back on shore\, the evening concludes with relaxation and a closing circle. (The Westerly Land Trust) \nYoga Before the Paddle\nThe first portion of the evening takes place on land. \nFifer’s yoga session concentrates on movements that prepare the body for paddling\, particularly the shoulders and hips. Participants should bring their own yoga mat along with a large towel to place beneath it. \nThat last item may prove useful. This isn’t a studio floor. The program takes place at a Land Trust preserve beside the Pawcatuck River\, and participants are specifically warned to expect wet and muddy shoes. \nAfter yoga\, the group moves from mats to boats. \nPaddling the Pawcatuck River\nThe paddle launches directly from the Flora Whiteley Preserve on Potter Hill Road. \nRather than immediately following the current downstream\, the group paddles upriver first. A meditation stop breaks up the trip before everyone turns around for the easier return journey with the current. \nParticipants need some paddling experience. The program is described as moderate\, so it’s better suited to people already comfortable controlling a kayak\, canoe or paddleboard than someone getting into a boat for the first time. \nBring Your Own Boat\nThis is a BYO equipment event. \nParticipants must provide their own kayak\, paddleboard\, canoe or similar suitable watercraft\, along with the necessary paddle. \nYou’ll also need to bring your own life jacket. \nRhode Island regulations require every participant\, regardless of age\, to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket during the paddle. It must be properly fastened and worn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. \nWhat to Bring\nCome prepared for both the yoga and paddling portions of the evening: \n\nKayak\, paddleboard\, canoe or other appropriate watercraft\nPaddle\nU.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket\nYoga mat\nLarge towel to place beneath the yoga mat\nWater\nBug repellent\nShoes that can get wet and muddy\n\nSince this is an August evening beside the river\, bug repellent is one item that’s particularly easy to forget until you wish you hadn’t. \nAbout Flora Whiteley Preserve\nThe Flora Whiteley Preserve is part of the Westerly Land Trust’s network of protected properties throughout Westerly. \nFor this program\, it serves as both the gathering place and river access point\, allowing the group to transition directly from the yoga session to the paddle without relocating vehicles. \nParking is available at the preserve at 197 Potter Hill Road in Westerly\, which is also the put-in point for the paddle. \nRegistration and Cost\nThe program is free for Westerly Land Trust members. \nAdmission for non-members is $10 per person. \nRegistration is required\, and the number of participants is limited. Because this isn’t a large festival or open-ended drop-in event\, reserving a place ahead of time is necessary. \nEvent Details\nDate: Friday\, August 14\, 2026 \nTime: 5:00–7:30 p.m. \nLocation: Flora Whiteley Preserve \nAddress: 197 Potter Hill Road\, Westerly\, RI 02891 \nPresented By: Westerly Land Trust \nInstructor: Certified yoga teacher Janice Fifer \nAdmission: Free for Westerly Land Trust members; $10 per person for non-members \nRegistration: Required. Space is limited. \nExperience Level: Moderate paddle. Some previous kayaking or paddling experience is recommended. \nEquipment: Participants must bring their own kayak\, paddleboard\, canoe or other appropriate watercraft and paddle. \nLife Jackets: A properly fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be worn by every participant regardless of age. \nParking: Available at Flora Whiteley Preserve. \nImportant Note: Expect wet and muddy conditions and dress accordingly. \nMore Information\nFor more information\, visit the event website using the Event Website link below. \nFor ticket purchases\, click on the Ticketing link below. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/paddle-yoga-float-flow-at-flora-whiteley-preserve/
LOCATION:Flora Whiteley Preserve\, 197 Potter Hill Road\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Flora Whiteley Preserve
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Paddle-Yoga-Float-and-Flow-at-Flora-Whiteley-Preserve-Friday-August-14-5pm-730pm.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260804T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260804T000000
DTSTAMP:20260805T015931Z
CREATED:20260805T015931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T015931Z
UID:10007102-1785801600-1785801600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Paddle for a Purpose Benefiting AFSP at Adventure Mystic
DESCRIPTION:Paddle for a Purpose Benefiting AFSP at Adventure Mystic invites paddlers of every experience level to enjoy an evening on the Mystic River while supporting suicide prevention efforts across southeastern Connecticut. Held Thursday\, August 6\, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.\, the community fundraiser combines kayaking and paddleboarding with a meaningful cause\, raising money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Southeastern Connecticut Out of the Darkness Walk. \nHosted by Adventure Mystic\, participants can choose between a paddleboard\, single kayak\, or double kayak before launching onto the scenic Mystic River. Along the way\, guests will enjoy a relaxing summer paddle while helping fund suicide prevention research\, education\, advocacy\, and community programs that provide hope and support to individuals and families affected by suicide. Raffle prizes will also be awarded throughout the evening\, adding an extra layer of fun to the fundraiser. \nProceeds from the event support the Southeastern Connecticut Out of the Darkness Walk\, scheduled for Saturday\, September 12\, at McCook Point Park in Niantic. Every registration helps advance the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s mission while encouraging open conversations about mental health and reminding participants that small acts of community support can have a lasting impact. \nWhether you’re gathering friends for a sunset paddle\, planning a date night on the water\, or simply looking for a meaningful way to spend a summer evening\, Paddle for a Purpose offers an opportunity to enjoy one of Mystic’s most beautiful settings while giving back to an important cause. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Paddle for a Purpose Benefiting AFSP at Adventure Mystic \nDate: Thursday\, August 6\, 2026 \nTime: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. \nLocation:\nAdventure Mystic\n15 Holmes Street\nMystic\, CT \nPricing: \n\nPaddleboard: $50\nSingle Kayak: $50\nDouble Kayak: $70\n\nIncludes: \n\nGuided evening paddle on the Mystic River\nRaffle prizes throughout the event\nA portion of every registration donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Southeastern Connecticut Out of the Darkness Walk\n\nMore Information\nSpace is limited\, and advance registration is recommended. Additional information and registration are available by clicking the Event Website link at the bottom of this page.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/paddle-for-a-purpose-benefiting-afsp-at-adventure-mystic/
CATEGORIES:Adventure Mystic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Paddle-for-a-Purpose-Benefitting-AFSP-at-Adventure-Mystic.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260719T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260719T160000
DTSTAMP:20260717T201520Z
CREATED:20260520T200854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T201520Z
UID:10002568-1784466000-1784476800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:FloatSwella 2026 on the Mystic River
DESCRIPTION:Due to the weather\, FloatSwella has been moved to Sunday afternoon.\nFloatSwella 2026 on the Mystic River brings kayakers\, paddleboarders\, and other paddlecraft enthusiasts together for a one-of-a-kind afternoon on the water on Sunday\, July 19. Hosted by the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce in partnership with NORTH SWELL\, the free community event transforms the Mystic River into a floating gathering as participants launch from multiple locations and paddle to the west side of the river just north of the historic Mystic Bascule Bridge. \nMore than just a paddle rally\, FloatSwella combines outdoor recreation with live music and a lively waterfront atmosphere. Throughout the afternoon\, the band Red Lion will perform from a floating stage positioned on the river\, providing a soundtrack for paddlers and spectators alike. From the shoreline\, visitors can watch hundreds of colorful kayaks and paddleboards drift together while enjoying the energy of one of Mystic’s most distinctive summer traditions. \nWhether you’re launching your own paddlecraft or watching from one of the riverfront parks\, bridges\, or restaurants\, FloatSwella offers a unique perspective on downtown Mystic. The event celebrates the community’s connection to the Mystic River while encouraging safe\, non-motorized recreation in one of southeastern Connecticut’s most scenic waterfront settings. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: FloatSwella 2026\nDate: Saturday\, July 18\, 2026\nTime: 1:00-4:00 p.m.\n\nRain Date: Sunday\, July 19\, 2026\n\nLocation: Mystic River\, Mystic\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\nLive Music\nOn the Floating Stage\n\nRed Lion\nFlowers & Kain\n Suave-Ski\n\nLaunch Locations\nParticipants may launch from any of the following access points: \n\nRiver Road at the I-95 Highway Bridge\nIsham Street at Bay Street\nWater Street across from the Daniel Packer Inn\nWilliams Beach at the Ocean Community YMCA\n\nEvent Area\nFloatSwella takes place along the west side of the Mystic River\, north of the historic Mystic Bascule Bridge. \nWho Can Participate\nFloatSwella is open to non-motorized paddlecraft\, including: \n\nKayaks\nPaddleboards\nCanoes\nOther paddle-powered watercraft\n\nSafety Rules\n\nLife jackets are required for all paddlers.\nAlcohol is prohibited.\nMotorized boats are not permitted to participate.\n\nWhy Attend\n\nPaddle the Mystic River with hundreds of fellow participants\nEnjoy a live performance by Red Lion from a floating stage\nExperience one of Mystic’s most unique summer traditions\nWatch from the shoreline or join the rally on the water\nExplore downtown Mystic’s waterfront during the event
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/floatswella-2026-on-the-mystic-river/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FloatSwella-2026-on-the-Mystic-River-July-18.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T030002Z
CREATED:20260622T030002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260622T030002Z
UID:10006235-1782408600-1782417600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Run. Paddle. Party.
DESCRIPTION:Registration required. Click the Website Link below. \nRun. Paddle. Party. Combines fitness\, teamwork\, and a waterfront celebration into one unique summer event in Mystic. The event\, taking place on Thursday\, June 11\, features a relay-style course that combines running and paddling and culminates in a post-race party on the Mystic waterfront. Hosted at Adventure Mystic and sponsored by Outer Light Brewing Company\, the event is designed for active adults looking for a fun challenge rather than a traditional race. \nTeams of two will complete a fast-paced relay course featuring approximately 1.5 miles of running and 1.5 miles of paddling per participant. Teammates alternate between disciplines at designated exchange points until the course is completed. All paddling equipment is included with registration\, making the event accessible for newcomers and experienced paddlers alike. Participants simply need appropriate footwear and a willingness to embrace a little friendly competition. \nWhether you’re looking for a unique date night\, a challenge with a friend\, or an excuse to get outside and enjoy Mystic’s waterways\, Run. Paddle. Party. offers an unforgettable evening of adventure. The event concludes with a waterfront celebration that rewards participants for crossing the finish line and taking on the challenge together. \nEvent Details\nDate: Thursday\, June 11\, 2026\nLocation: Adventure Mystic\, 15 Holmes Street\, Mystic\, CT \nRace Format\n\nTeams of 2 participants\nRelay-style course\nApproximately 1.5 miles of running per participant\nApproximately 1.5 miles of paddling per participant\nTeammates alternate between running and paddling portions\n\nRegistration\n\n$25 per person\nMust have a team of 2 people\nBoth participants must register\n\nSchedule\n\nCheck-In: 5:30 p.m.\nSafety Meeting: 5:45 p.m.\nRace Begins: 6:00 p.m.\nParty Ends: 8:00 p.m.\n\nIncluded With Registration\n\nKayak and paddling equipment\nSafety equipment\nEvent participation\nPost-race celebration\n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/run-paddle-party-2/
LOCATION:Adventure Mystic\, 15 Holmes Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adventure Mystic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Run-Paddle-Run-June-25-Check-in-at-530pm-Party-ends-at-8pm.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260611T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260611T233000
DTSTAMP:20260608T212121Z
CREATED:20260602T234046Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260608T212121Z
UID:10005219-1781199000-1781220600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Run. Paddle. Party.
DESCRIPTION:Registration required. Click the Website Link below. \nRun. Paddle. Party. Combines fitness\, teamwork\, and a waterfront celebration into one unique summer event in Mystic. The event\, taking place on Thursday\, June 11\, features a relay-style course that combines running and paddling\, culminating in a post-race party on the Mystic waterfront. Hosted at Adventure Mystic and sponsored by Outer Light Brewing Company and Crooked Compass\, the event is designed for active adults looking for a fun challenge rather than a traditional race. \nTeams of two will complete a fast-paced relay course featuring approximately 1.5 miles of running and 1.5 miles of paddling per participant. Teammates alternate between disciplines at designated exchange points until the course is completed. All paddling equipment is included with registration\, making the event accessible for newcomers and experienced paddlers alike. Participants simply need appropriate footwear and a willingness to embrace a little friendly competition. \nWhether you’re looking for a unique date night\, a challenge with a friend\, or an excuse to get outside and enjoy Mystic’s waterways\, Run. Paddle. Party. offers an unforgettable evening of adventure. The event concludes with a waterfront celebration that rewards participants for crossing the finish line and taking on the challenge together. \nEvent Details\nDate: Thursday\, June 11\, 2026\nLocation: Adventure Mystic\, 15 Holmes Street\, Mystic\, CT \nRace Format\n\nTeams of 2 participants\nRelay-style course\nApproximately 1.5 miles of running per participant\nApproximately 1.5 miles of paddling per participant\nTeammates alternate between running and paddling portions\n\nRegistration\n\n$25 per person\nMust have a team of 2 people\nBoth participants must register\n\nSchedule\n\nCheck-In: 5:30 p.m.\nSafety Meeting: 5:45 p.m.\nRace Begins: 6:00 p.m.\nParty Ends: Midnight\n\nIncluded With Registration\n\nKayak and paddling equipment\nSafety equipment\nEvent participation\nPost-race celebration\n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/run-paddle-party/
LOCATION:Adventure Mystic\, 15 Holmes Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Run-Paddle-Run-June-11-Check-in-530-Party-til-Midnight-at-Adventure-Mystic-15-Holmes-Street.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260529T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260529T170000
DTSTAMP:20260530T033005Z
CREATED:20260530T033005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260530T033005Z
UID:10002684-1780041600-1780074000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:First Annual Penguin Paddle Parade
DESCRIPTION:First Annual Penguin Paddle Parade brings Arctic fun to the Mystic River on Sunday\, June 21\, as Adventure Mystic launches one of the most unusual events of the summer season. Participants will paddle the Mystic River alongside a special Arctic-themed guest while a film crew from NotGeo documents the festivities. The event combines outdoor adventure\, community fun\, and a healthy dose of shoreline eccentricity in a way that feels uniquely Mystic. \nExperienced paddlers are invited to bring their own stand-up paddleboard (SUP)\, kayak\, or other paddle-powered vessel to take part in the parade. For those without equipment\, a limited number of paddleboard and kayak rentals are available. Organizers note that the event is intended for experienced paddlers; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult\, and advance registration is required\, as no walk-up registrations will be accepted. \nThe parade concludes with an opportunity for participants to meet and take photos with the event’s featured penguin-themed guest. Portions of the proceeds will benefit charity\, while organizers hope the inaugural event becomes a memorable summer tradition on the Mystic River. With limited rental availability and no rain date scheduled\, participants are encouraged to register early.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/first-annual-penguin-paddle-parade/
LOCATION:Adventure Mystic\, 15 Holmes Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adventure Mystic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/First-Annual-Penguin-Paddle.jpg
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END:VCALENDAR