Organizers in the swim of herring festival planning

Mar 5, 2023

MIDDLEBORO — Organizers of the annual Herring Run Festival are thinking spring, with plans underway for the event, which began 10 years ago.

The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday April 15 and 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oliver Mill Park, Route 44. 

Each year, the festival draws about 8,000 to 10,000 people over the weekend, said Nathan Demers, chair of the Middleboro Tourism Committee, which sponsors the event.

“It’s one of the biggest community events the town has,’’ Demers said.

The event centers around the herring that run through the Nemasket River at the park during their journey from Narragansett Bay to the Assawompset pond complex. 

The herring may be the star attraction but they are not the only draw. Other features include merchant vendors, food vendors, games, exhibits, demonstrations, live music and a beer garden.

The festival “provides the family a chance to get up close to the herring and learn why it’s so crucial to our ecosystem,’’ Demers said. 

Admission is free.

Free shuttle parking is available at Middleboro Town Hall, 10 Nickerson Ave and the lots at Buckland and Goode schools, Mayflower Avenue, and Jackson Street.

There is $5 parking at 99 North St.  Handicap accessible parking is available at the Council on Aging, Council on Aging, 558 Plymouth St.

Volunteers are always welcome.

For more information, visit  Facebook @MiddleboroToday, email discovermiddleborough@gmail.com, or call 774-766-6335.