For those who want to cool off during the dog days of summer, keep an eye out for the Connecticut River Conservancy’s “splash mobs” coming to Hampshire County this week.
On July 16, conservancy director Andrew Fisk began boating down the Connecticut starting at the river’s source, the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. His journey will trace the Connecticut through four states, all the way to the Long Island Sound where the river empties into the sea.
Along the way, he is inviting locals to join him in “splash mobs” to raise awareness of rising pollution levels and the urgency of river conservation. Fisk will pass through Massachusetts this week, and the conservancy is hosting three public events locally:
Tuesday, July 25, 5-6 p.m.: Fisk will waterski with the Oxbow Water Ski Show Team. Spectators are invited to join a splash mob afterward and then to stay and watch the team practice at 7 p.m. Address for the event: 375 Old Springfield Road, Northampton.
Wednesday, July 26, 5 p.m.: The Paradise City Dragon Boat Team is to hold a dragon boat race on the river at the Northampton Community Rowing Boathouse. Spectators are invited to join a splash mob afterward. Address for the event: 80 Damon Road, Northampton.
Editor’s note: The Connecticut River Conservancy announced in a statement July 27 that the remaining splash mob events associated with the source-to-the-sea journey have been canceled.