Taunton River Festival returns June 8 with music, food and fun

The Taunton River Festival is set for June 8 at Weir Village Riverfront Park. According to a community announcement, the event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and celebrates National Rivers Month along the Wild & Scenic Taunton River. The festival is free and accessible, with easy parking available.

Festival-goers can expect a variety of activities, including music, art, dance, food, and environmental education. Over 50 vendors will showcase original products, including works from artists, authors, photographers, and specialty food purveyors. The festival also offers a chance to shop for unique gifts ahead of Father’s Day on June 15.

The Jethros Band will return to perform a mix of folk, blues, soul, swing-jazz, bluegrass, funk, and country music. The Unlikely Strummers, a ukulele band, will stroll through the crowd during their performance. The Taunton Civic Chorus, a festival staple since 1959, will sing traditional songs. Additionally, students from the Silver City Dance Center will present a special performance.

New to the festival this year, the Whelks, an acoustic trio, will perform a blend of original music and genres such as swing, country, old-time, Irish, and bluegrass. Young performers from the Lines and Spaces music program will also take the stage, showcasing talent from elementary school students in Taunton.

Food options at the festival will include hotdogs from County Fare Hotdogs, ice cream and novelties from Frosty Friends Ice Cream and Treats, gourmet Mexican food from the Gonzalez Food Truck, homemade malasadas from Grammie’s, and offerings from South Shore Smokehouse.

The Taunton River Watershed Alliance will host various activities. Attendees can join or donate at the TRWA table, where they can also pick up an activity schedule. Limited spots are available for narrated boat tours, which require pre-festival online registration. The Bristol County Agricultural High School’s Environmental Conservation Department will have a table featuring pelts, skulls, and other marine and wildlife science items. Ms. T, TRWA’s rescue Northern Diamondback Education terrapin, will also make an appearance. A scavenger hunt and other children’s activities will be available.

Volunteers and TRWA board members will discuss the organization’s advocacy work, including the terrapin study and water quality monitoring program. Environmental nonprofits are invited to register for free tables at the festival, emphasizing the importance of their presence this year.

Parking for the event is available at 391 West Water St., with shuttle service to the park. There is no rain date for the festival. The Taunton River Watershed Alliance has been advocating for the river and its watershed since 1988, aiming to protect and restore natural resources for future generations.

Visit https://savethetaunton.org/event/taunton-river-festival-3 for more information.

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