By: Sally Spooner, TRWA Board Member
The Taunton River Festival held on June 14 was a festival for the ages. All of them. It was a beautiful day. Too hot to be out in the bright June sun? Not with the cooling breezes from the Wild and Scenic Taunton River.
The festival was from 11:00 – 4:00. Did anyone miss lunch? Not with food to appeal to every taste from The Rise Cafe, South Shore Smokehouse, Frosty Friends Ice Cream and Treats, Hetty Sweets Bakery and Savory Foods, George’s Wiener Waggin’, Kona Ice, and Tom and Jimmy’s.
Are you concerned about our environment in these perilous times? TRWA and other environmental non-profits talked informatively about their work. Ms. T, TRWA’s rescue diamondback terrapin was there too. She is the star educator at every appearance.
And something unique happened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery released thousands of shad eggs into the Taunton river to restore a species that was once plentiful in the river.
The 2026 Taunton River Festival was exceptional for everyone. Meeting talented craft people, artists and other vendors in person and seeing their products is a pleasure. QR code cell phone photos have turned festival tables into the front windows of Internet shopping.
The performances of Rose Wharf Band, the Taunton Civic Chorus and the Moonbellies filled the day with music that brought some to their feet to dance. The children’s performances by the Silver City Dance Studio and Lines & Spaces were special. The audiences were three deep.
Children also enjoyed the scavenger hunt and painting tote bags. There was a fun splash pad for cooling off too. To top it all off, there were free boat rides to enjoy the beautiful day and learn about the history of the Wild & Scenic Taunton River.
For an armchair view of this year’s festival go to: Taunton River Festival – TCAM Video
A special thank you to our sponsors who supported the festival and TRWA’s mission to protect and restore the Watershed’s natural resources for current and future generations.
