The Rochester Fire Department will again sponsor the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race this year and with a lot of similarities to races that took place a few years ago and previously.
Some differences this year will be that only one registration session will be held, the Dorothy hot dog stand will be back in Mattapoisett, and the awards program will be on Memorial Day evening but with a change in venue this year to the Rochester COA (RCOA), Senior Center at 67 Dexter’s Lane.
The traditional Ham and Bean Supper will take place at the RCOA Senior Center, Saturday, May 28, 5:00 – 7:00 pm offering a choice of sit-down dining or take-out meals.
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 & Bean supper. The winners will be drawn at the supper.
The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race on the Mattapoisett River will take place on Monday, May 30, starting at 8:30 am at Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, Snipatuit Road, in Rochester and finishing at the Mattapoisett Herring Weir at River Road and Route 6.
The minimum age for contestants is seven years old on Memorial Day. There will be two persons to a boat. The boat must be a homemade river racer design of any material you choose. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles.
Divisions include open/men’s, women’s, 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.
Preregistration is required. Only one registration session will be held at the RCOA Senior Center, Friday, May 20, 6:30 – 8:00. Starting positions will be assigned or drawn after the registration closes. 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’s house, 319 Cushman Rod or at the registration session or email Art (artbenner@comcast.net) and request forms.
You may deliver the completed forms to 319 Cushman Road. Or, you may return the forms by email, but you must bring the original, signed forms to the registration session or to the start of the race May 30. Or, you may return them by regular mail (USPS.) If returned by email or USPS mail, you’ll get acknowledgment that they were received. If you don’t get a reply from Art, assume the forms were not received and hand deliver a set. Registration forms must be in the Committee’s hands by Friday, May 20, 8:00 PM 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.
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.