Riverfront Lunchtime Entertainment
Why eat lunch behind your desk?  The Riverfront offers a great lunchtime escape with daily activity and food provided by Crusin' Cuisine.  A variety of entertainers - musicians, jugglers, clowns -- perform Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the summer from 11:30-1 pm on Riverfront Plaza in downtown Hartford.   Promotion teams from Big Hits 102.9, The River 105.9, KISS 95.7, Country 92.5, and ESPN 1410 add to the fun.  You can also enjoy the great weather with a healthy outdoor experience on the mountain bike or running trails along the Riverfront in Hartford and East Hartford. Lunchtime entertainers sponsored by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, Travelers, The Phoenix Companies, Inc.

June 2, 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert featuring The Four Tops
Celebrate the first 25 years of Riverfront Recapture’s progress with a free concert to kick-off the 2006 Anniversary season.  Join the legendary Four Tops for a memorable start to an exciting season.  The Four Tops will take the Riverfront Plaza stage in downtown Hartford at 8 pm, following a performance by Shaded Soul from 5:30 to 7:30.  Entertainers from our Riverfront Lunchtime series will get the evening started at 4:30 for people who want to come to the Riverfront right from work.  Food and beverages will be sold.  No lawn chairs allowed on terraces, no outside alcoholic beverages.  Parking is available in area garages.  The Star Shuttle will provide free service between the garages/Riverfront Plaza.  Boaters are encouraged to attend.  This 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert is presented by The Phoenix Companies, Inc.

July 1, Riverfest (4 sites - Htfd/E.Htfd - music, activities, food, fireworks)
Riverfest is a celebration of America’s independence and the Connecticut River - it’s a party like no other.  Music and entertainment starts at 4 pm at 4 sites in Hartford and East Hartford, followed by a half-hour fireworks spectacular over the River starting at 9:45 pm. Festival sites include Riverfront Plaza and Charter Oak Landing in Hartford and Founders Plaza and Great River Park in East Hartford.  NEW THIS YEAR!  “Fiesta Del Rio, A Taste of Latino Culture" is a collaboration with the Hispanic Professional Network and Spanish American Merchants Association that will bring authentic Latino music and food to Charter Oak Landing.  Free off-site parking and shuttle buses run to the Riverfront Plaza and Charter Oak Landing.  THERE WILL BE NO SHUTTLE BUSES IN EAST HARTFORD THIS YEAR.  Presenting Sponsor: Mohegan Sun.

July 29, Opera al Fresco
This opera night at the river will create a Venetian atmosphere in downtown Hartford as four young and talented signers perform with the 35-piece Hartford Festival Orchestra.  They’ll perform selections from "Marriage of Figaro," "Rigoletto," "La Boheme," and "Barber of Seville" in costumes from each opera.  Enjoy delicious Italian food and wine as you settle in for an evening of popular arias, sung with the moonlit Connecticut River as the backdrop.  That’s even better than one of those little Venetian canals.  They say everyone should experience the opera at least once in a lifetime, here’s your chance.  Presenting Sponsor:  The Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation.  Sponsored in part by The Greater Hartford Arts Council and the RObert & Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation, Inc.  Riverfront Plaza, 7:30pm.  Rain date:  July 30, 7:30pm.  FREE.  

August 5, Taste of the Caribbean - in collaboration with the West Indian Independence Celebration Committee
The lively and colorful West Indian annual celebration will bring part of its festivities to Riverfront Plaza in downtown Hartford for the first time.  Sample tasty Caribbean food and beverages and move to the beat of Caribbean rhythms - without buying an airline ticket.  Practice up on your limbo skills and show the crowd what you can do.  11am to 8 pm.

August 11 & 25, Dancing Under the Stars  - join us for salsa and line dancing lessons, live music, and audience applause.  East Hartford’s Great River Park amphitheater,7 p.m.FREE

August 18, Mohegan Sun Sunfest featuring Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker takes the stage for a dynamic performance guaranteed to make you do the twist!  Riverfront Plaza, Entertainment begins at 4:30, FREE

August 26, Hartford Hip Hop Back to School Festival
A celebration of the positive influences of the music and culture of Hip Hop, the Festival features a full day of live musical performances, MC battles, break dancing, urban art and more.  This activity is enhanced by a youth outreach/college awareness expo to emphasize the importance of finishing school, as well as information on how to prepare for higher education and apply for financial aid. The festival takes place at Riverfront Plaza in downtown Hartford from noon to 9 p.m.  Presenting Sponsor: Aetna, Inc.

September 2, Pilobolus (world renowned dance company)
Members of the world-renowned dance company Pilobolus will captivate you with their amazing body contortions and movements - and great sense of humor.  The dancers return to perform their Third Annual free, outdoor performance on the Riverfront Plaza stage in downtown Hartford at 7:30 pm.  Pilobolus is recognized as a major American dance company of international influence with one of the most popular and varied repertoires in the world.  Make this the highlight of your Labor Day weekend.  Presented by Lincoln Financial Group Foundation.   Rain Date: Sept. 3, 7:30pm

September 9, "Guitar Under the Stars" (Daniel Salazar and Hartford Festival Orchestra)
The Riverfront comes alive with Guitar Under the Stars. Noted classical guitarist Daniel Salazar, Jr. takes the Riverfront Plaza stage at 7:30 p.m. accompanied by the 35-piece Hartford Festival Orchestra in this signature concert featuring Spanish, Latin and World Music. In addition, several of New England's top guitarists will perform jazz and international music throughout the afternoon beginning at 3pm.  This annual event, a collaboration with the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society, has grown into an end-of-summer tradition for thousands of music lovers.  Rain date: Sept. 10, 7:30pm

September 16, 6th Annual Dragon Boat Festival (Dragon Boat Races on River and Asian Festival) in partnership with the Connecticut Asian-American Leaders Consortium
The Dragon Boat Festival, another annual tradition, balances colorful and competitive Dragon Boat races with Asian entertainment, food, and culture.  The ancient Chinese art of Dragon dancing gets the day started as dancers lead the paddlers to their boats - that are decorated with Dragon heads and tails.  You also may see Chinese ribbon dancing, Japanese drumming, the Wu Shu form of martial arts that was seen in the hit film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" or other forms of Asian arts.  Entertainment runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Riverfront Plaza in downtown Hartford.  Presenting sponsor: Lincoln Financial Group Foundation.

September 23 & 24, Hartford Grand Prix
Speed boats racing the river at speeds of up to 140mph… It’s like NASCAR on the river!  Family entertainment, food and beverages make this unique nationally televised event complete.  Times to be announced.  Spectators FREE

September 30, "Pipes in the Valley" (Celtic Festival)
Connecticut’s premier Celtic music event of the year drew 10,000 people last year.  "Pipes" returns to Riverfront Plaza in downtown Hartford from 11 am to 11 pm.  This Celtic/Scottish Festival will transport you across the pond with a great day of music - including bagpipes, Celtic fiddling, and drummers from Scotland -- food, fine beer and highland games on the Riverfront. A collaboration with the Olde Burnside Brewing Company.  

Big Bass Fishing Tournament
Amateur anglers compete every Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm, starting May 17 through August 23.  (No competition on July 5.)  NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR.  Anglers will launch at Wethersfield Cove, due to boat launch construction at Riverside Park.  Entry fee $10.  A $10 launch fee is also collected each week or anglers can purchase a $60 Season Pass from the Town of Wethersfield. Sponsored by: Trantolo & Trantolo, Attorneys at Law.  

Rowing
Adults and teenagers participate in a community rowing program that teaches them how to row and prepares crews for competitive races.  The program includes high school rowing and adaptive rowing for people with physical disabilities or visual impairments.  UBS is the lead sponsor for youth rowing. Click here to find out more about our Rowing Program.

Riverfront Adventure
Riverfront Adventure uses high and low ropes courses and a climbing tower to build a stronger sense of team among corporate groups and to help young people develop self-confidence, communication skills, trust - and to learn to work with others. Lincoln Financial Group Foundation is the lead sponsor of Riverfront Adventure. Click here to find out more about Riverfront Adventure.

June 10, Sporting Chance for Youth Day
Games.. Contests... Prizes...Food... Entertainment...Free T-shirt and more!
 
Boys and girls between the ages of 5-17 are encouraged to take part in 'A Sporting Chance for Youth" - a day of free sports activity in Hartford's Riverside Park on Saturday, June 10th.  "A Sporting Chance for Youth" will showcase much of the youth-related activity that is available for young people on the Riverfront.  Sports offered include: rowing, fishing, volleyball, football, soccer, climbing wall, orienteering, golf, baseball and basketball.  Experts will be on hand to help sample different sports and compete for prizes.  Comcast will present awards in each sporting activity at the conclusion of the day.  Winners from the Comcast Survivor Challenge will be honored on July 24th at the Rock Cats baseball game. This is one event you don't want to miss.

June 24, Genesis Adventure Race
The EMS Sprint Adventure Racing Series, presented by Genesis Adventures starting at Hartford’s Riverside Park, will send two-person teams on a race in and around Hartford.  Teams will run, mountain bike, and kayak along an unmarked course - so they will need to use a map to locate checkpoints along the way.  Come out for a fantastic day of fun along - and near - the Connecticut River.  Additional information about the race, including registration, can be found at www.GenesisAdventures.com or by calling 203-262-3376.  Plenty of free parking is available in Riverside Park..

July 29 race postponed due to the river rising and flooding the race trail!

New date - August 24, plus July 27 and September 7, X-TREME Scramble Series (5k runs)
A great way for young professionals to meet after work and enjoy being by the River, Riverfront Recapture’s X-TREME scrambles are 5k races followed by burgers, beer, and live music on Riverfront Plaza in downtown Hartford.  Networking in Hartford will never be the same.  We’ve scheduled three scrambles, starting at 5 p.m., on June 29, July 27, and September 7.  Register at www.hartfordmarathon.org..

July 3-8, FLW $1 Million Bass Fishing Tournament
FLW Outdoors, the world’s largest competitive-fishing organization, Riverfront Recapture Inc., and the Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau host the $1 million Wal-Mart BFL (Bass Fishing League) All-American presented by Chevy. The historic All-American is one of the most prestigious events in tournament fishing with more than 30,000 anglers vying for a shot at the lucrative title annually. The top 90 competitors are coming to the Riverfront to compete for a share of the $1 million prize pool.

Anglers will compete each day on the Connecticut River, launching from Charter Oak Landing on Reserve Road, just south of downtown Hartford between 5:45am and 7am.  Daily weigh-ins for the All-American will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center July 6, 7 at 4:00pm. Doors open to the public at 2pm with a family fun zone and exhibit.

On July 8, doors open to the public at 11am for family fun zone, exhibits.

As part of the All-American festivities, the first 300 children, 12 and under accompanied by an adult, who attend the Family Fun Zone and weigh-in on opening day at the Connecticut Convention Center will receive a free rod and reel. One lucky spectator attending the final weigh-in will also win a new Ranger bass boat powered by a Yamaha outboard.

The tournament is hosted by Riverfront Recapture and the Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau. Related events are sponsored by Trantolo & Trantolo, Attorneys at Law.

July 16, Cap City Dirt Triathlon
This off-road triathlon takes place entirely within the Riverfront park system, with a 1K swim, 5K run, and a 20K bike race.  Swim: point-to-point in the Connecticut River. Run: 2nd event travels on paved bike path, over Charter Oak Bridge, to dirt covered trails along river and finishes at the Riverside Park Boathouse. Bike: 2 loops (6 mile loop) using the entire park system on scenic riverside trails. Start Time: 8:00 AM, Riverside Park.  Plenty of free parking in the park, which is located off I-91, Exit 33.  Register at www.hartfordmarathon.com.

July 27, X-TREME Scramble Series (5k runs)
A great way for young professionals to meet after work and enjoy being by the River, Riverfront Recapture’s X-TREME scrambles are 5k races, followed by burgers, beer, and live music at Riverfront Plaza in downtown Hartford. Networking in Hartford will never be the same. We’ve scheduled three scrambles, starting at 5 p.m., on June 29, July 27, and September 7. Register at www.riverfront.org.

September 7, X-TREME Scramble Series (5k runs)
A great way for young professionals to meet after work and enjoy being by the River, Riverfront Recapture’s X-TREME scrambles are 5k races, followed by burgers, beer, and live music at Riverfront Plaza in downtown Hartford. Networking in Hartford will never be the same. We’ve scheduled three scrambles, starting at 5 p.m., on June 29, July 27, and September 7. Register at www.riverfront.org.

September 16, Dragon Boat Festival (Dragon Boat Races on River and Asian Festival)
The Dragon Boat races bring a 2000-year old Chinese sport to Hartford with about 45 teams - close to 1,000 paddlers - competing for bragging rights and medals. Our Dragon Boat races have become a popular local tradition in Hartford for adult and youth groups as well as teams from major eastern cities and Canada. We provide the boats, paddles, and coaching; team members provide the muscle. The festival also includes amazing Asian entertainment and food, adding up to a remarkable day along the river. Team-building sessions also are available through the summer and fall. The Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Riverfront Plaza in Hartford, starting at 8 a.m. and runs through the day. Presenting sponsor: Lincoln Financial Group Foundation.

October 1, Head of the Riverfront -- Rowing Regatta
Last fall, 2100 rowers, representing colleges, high schools, and clubs from across the Northeast competed in the Head of the Riverfront Regatta.  This year, make sure you are one of them.   Whether rowing in the race or cheering on the racers, come participate in Hartford’s outstanding rowing event in 2006.  Experienced rowers are encouraged to volunteer.  Presented by Discover Re.  The regatta is run out of Charter Oak Landing in Hartford, south of downtown.  Free parking is available to spectators outside the park.  Parking in the park is restricted to boat trailers..