Jaffrey’s annual Riverfest will be taking over downtown this Saturday, with special deals at area shops and restaurants, raffles, vendors, live music and a classic car show.

This year’s theme is “It Takes a TEAM.”

“We’re working collaboratively to get things done. As a collective, we can do anything,” said Tara Castiglioni, executive director of TEAM Jaffrey.

Riverfest returned from a COVID-19 hiatus last year, and will be bringing back the classic events that have made the event popular among residents, including deals and special sales at shops around the downtown area.

“We’re just very excited all around to get back as a community and promote our local businesses and celebrate our town,” Castiglioni said.

Castiglioni said visitors should check with their favorite Main Street shops to see what deals might be on offer, and there will also be activities going on throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Festivities begin at 9 a.m. with the Jaffrey Firefighters Association’s annual 5k race and fundraiser. All proceeds from the race go to the Jaffrey Firefighters Company, which fundraises for the Jaffrey Fire Department to purchase items that cannot be purchased within the town’s budget.

Registration for the race begins at 8 a.m. at Community Field, with the race beginning at 9 a.m. The cost to register is $20 in advance, or $25 on the day. The trail starts at Community Field, travels to the Rails to Trails, loops through Children’s Woods and returns through Rails to Trails and ends back at Community Field. Runners can pre-register at tinyurl.com/JFD5k2022. Parking is available at Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School, across from Union Street. There will be signs to designate parking.

Vendors will be on the common from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Live music will be provided by Skip Philbrick on the common starting at noon.

Town vehicles will be on Blake Street for a touch-a-truck event from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The Park Theatre will be offering free showing of cartoons for children. The Civic Center is offering face painting and crafts. Refreshments are available at the Woman’s Club.

A classic car show is scheduled at the Monadnock Plaza on Peterborough Street from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Classic, antique cars 20 years or older are eligible. To register, contact the Monadnock Cafe at 603-532-6885. Visitors to the show will select their favorites, and awards will be given for “People’s Choice” as well as to the car that travels the furthest to get to Jaffrey.

TEAM Jaffrey will be raffling a new $400 kayak, donated by Pelletier’s Sports, with tickets available at Riverfest. The kayak comes with a paddle and life vest. The cost is $5 per ticket or 5 tickets for $20. Tickets are available by contacting teamjaffrey@myfairpoint.net or messaging TEAM Jaffrey on Facebook, or through TEAM Jaffrey board members. The raffle winner will be pulled during Concerts on the Common on Aug. 3.

Castiglioni said TEAM Jaffrey is already planning on the town’s annual fall events, most of which will be returning to full in-person after being modified last year, including Scarecrows on the Common and  downtown Trick-or-Treat. Information about TEAM Jaffrey events will be available on their Facebook page or their website at www.teamjaffrey.org.

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