MIDDLEBORO — People gathered in Middleboro to watch the herring complete their trek up the Nemasket River, at the annual Herring Run Festival on
Saturday, April 13.

Crowds braved the rain on Saturday afternoon to take part in an event, held at Oliver Mill Park, that is central to Middleboro’s history. The festival was shortened from two
days to one due to the tough weather conditions, however.

In its 12th year, the herring run celebrates the migration of herring from Narragansett Bay upstream into the Nemasket River and to the Assawompset Pond complex, where
they will spawn. The festival is organized by the Middleboro Tourism Committee.

The fish usually make their treks from mid-March to early May. This year, the herring numbers are looking strong, according to the Middleboro-Lakeville Herring Fishery
Commission.

At the festival, community members learned about the historical importance of herring to the region and other topics such as threats to the herring population like an invasive
weed called milfoil.

“I had no idea juvenile herring are being killed off because of milfoil,” said Nickolas Clayton, who lives in Middleboro and is a commercial scuba diver.

Milfoil is an invasive weed that clogs up portions of the river and traps herring on their return trek, according to commission members.

The festival also gives enthusiasts a chance to see the feats of nature up close.

Alison Bowden, who works for the Nature Conservancy, has a deep admiration for the herring’s ability to swim such long distances. “They’ve come so far to be here. It’s inspiring,” she
said, explaining that some have traveled from as far as Nova Scotia.

When they’re not watching the fish, attendees could grab a bite to eat at one of the many food trucks or peruse products made by local vendors.

The event is something that Tourism Committee Chair Nate Demers looks forward to every year. “It’s the reason why I joined the tourism committee,” he said.