Celebrate the Charles and Sudbury rivers

Odaiko New England, Japanese drumming troupe, performs Saturday at Waltham Riverfest.
Photo courtesy of Odaiko New England.

By Denise Taylor
Globe Correspondent

Two festivals celebrate local rivers this weekend with everything from canoe rides and pontoon boat tours to concerts, high-flying acrobats, talks, walks, and fishing lessons.

But while Riverfest ’10 along the Sudbury, Concord, and Assabet Rivers and the Waltham Riverfest pack in plenty of entertainment amid the scenic views, both also have ulterior motives — to remind us to both enjoy and protect our waterways.

‘‘The Charles River is a lovely asset in the community, but it’s really underutilized. So we really want to bring people down to the river and into the downtown,’’ said Jennifer Rose, a member of the Downtown Waltham Partnership community group that organized Waltham Riverfest with the city’s Cultural Council.

Crowds are being lured to Waltham’s stretch of the Charles River with a two-day party Friday and Saturday along the downtown Riverwalk.

Events kick off Friday with canoe and kayak rentals (5-8 p.m.) and music and dancing by the river with Sugarfoot Afro-Latin Jazz Band (6:30-9 p.m.). Visitors can stroll along Moody and Crescent Streets to view ‘‘Waltham Art Windows,’’ which transforms shop windows into miniature art galleries.

On Saturday, the boating goes on, as entertainers take over Embassy Park and the Riverwalk (10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Performers were chosen to highlight Waltham’s diversity. They include the Moody Street String Band, Odaiko New England Taiko Drumming, folk singers Gail and Julian Rundlett, singer-songwriter Steffani Bennett, West African band Kalifa & Koliba, and classical Indian music from the LearnQuest Academy of Music.

‘‘Our goal is to highlight the downtown, the river, the artists community here, and the many cultures that are here, and just make it a nice day for people,’’ said Rose.

Belly dancers from Troupe Tassallation and aerialist team Diamond Sisters also perform, a rock-climbing wall will be mounted, and the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation has planned unusual activities for children, including antique typing, quill-writing, and watch-making. Artists are invited to ‘‘Paint the River’’ (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) and then to auction off their ‘‘Fresh Art’’ at the end of the day.

‘‘We do have the Riverwalk, but we used to have a riverboat that doesn’t run anymore,’’ said Rose. ‘‘So we’re very excited to bring canoeing and kayaking in so people can explore the river, and Waltham Land Trust will lead a walk so people can appreciate the natural aspects of the river while the painters help people appreciate its aesthetic value.’’

For Riverfest, 12 towns host over 50 events along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers on Saturday and Sunday.

Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.

Lee Steppacher is equally devoted to drawing attention to the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers. All three are among the 203 waterways nationally that have been designated Wild and Scenic Rivers by the US government, which provides some protection for rivers with ‘‘outstanding natural, cultural, or recreational value.’’

‘‘I think that there are so many people that really don’t know these rivers exist,’’ said Steppacher, who is the National Park Service project coordinator for the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers.

‘‘But here we are 15 to 20 miles from Boston and these rivers are not pristine, but they are very well protected. So you can really paddle into these lush landscapes. It’s all green,’’ she added.

‘‘So it’s our feeling that we need to invite people to come out and experience the river, whether by paddling or hiking or listening to music or looking at art. Because if they find a way to connect to the river, that will increase the chances that they’ll want to protect that river as a resource in their community.’’

Interest in Riverfest has steadily increased since its founding in 2002. That year, eight towns hosted 20 events. This year, 12 towns will host more than 50 events.

‘‘Local organizations plan and host these events. From the start, it hasn’t been one big event, but rather a number of little events, and there are many more groups involved now,’’ said Steppacher.

Riverfest runs all day Saturday and Sunday with activities in Bedford, Berlin, Billerica, Carlisle, Concord, Framingham, Lincoln, Lowell, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, and Wayland. From a sunrise paddle on the Concord River Saturday (5:15 a.m.) to a sunset paddle on the Sudbury River on Sunday (7 p.m.), all events are free.

Aside from the free canoe and pontoon rides, events tend toward the low-key and the educational. Shoreline nature walks, bird watching, bike riding, family concerts, picnics, and a host of talks and exhibitions on the history and ecology of the rivers are scheduled.

Children’s activities range from searching for salamanders in vernal pools at Sudbury’s Wolbach Farm (12:30 p.m. Sunday) to Saturday’s day (noon-5 p.m.) of family fun at Lowell’s Concord River Greenway, which features live music, recycled art, live animal exhibits, and free canal boat tours.

‘‘Mainly we want people to have fun at these events, but the hope is that each event there will be a little bit of a discussion about the wild and scenic rivers, and people can always check our website afterward to find out how to get engaged in protecting the rivers,’’ said Steppacher.

We want to hear about your upcoming events. Please contact westarts@globe.com.

Waltham Riverfest 5-10 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Friday events held at Cronin's Landing at Margarita's Patio, 211 Moody St. Saturday events at Embassy Park on Moody St. “Fresh Art” Reception and Auction 4-6:30 p.m. Saturday at B.U. Center for Digital Imaging Arts, 274 Moody St. All events free except boat rentals ($15-$18 hour). Riverfest info and full schedule at www.walthamriverfest.com or 617-548-6330.

Riverfest Saturday and Sunday mainly 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at various locations along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. All events are free. Full schedule at www.sudbury-assabet-concord.org or 617-223-5225.(cq)(jpegs)