There's no need to travel outside the city for top-notch entertainment next weekend.
Saturday, Aug. 14, is the day to be in downtown Haverhill, along the Merrimack River boardwalk to join the Haverhill River Ruckus. The rain date is Sunday, Aug. 15. Haverhill River Ruckus is a full day of free entertainment, fun and celebration, highlighting the Merrimack River and the revitalized downtown historic district, the new boardwalk, and the on-going development of recreational resources and river access planned for the area.
Entertainment and activities are being planned to excite and entertain visitors of all ages and interests.
Those who attend River Ruckus will enjoy a world-class laser light show, similar to what might be seen at the Super Bowl, a Las Vegas show or a pop star's concert. The show, which will end the day's festivities, was one of the first events that organizers discussed.
There was a unanimous decision to do something very different, something that has never been experienced in the Merrimack Valley, North Shore, or southern New Hampshire. It didn't take long to consider a laser light show. Considering various producers of these shows, Laser Production Network, from Miami, Fla., was selected.
"Fireworks are great, but we wanted something different, something that symbolized the future of Haverhill," said River Ruckus committee member Eric Karlstad.
The laser light show is being sponsored by NMTW Community Credit Union, which has just opened a branch in Haverhill at 20 Cushing Ave.
"Without the generous support from NMTW Community Credit Union, we would not be able to include the laser light show in our event," Karlstad said.
Laser Net is one of the premier laser light show producers in the USA, though its work is enjoyed around the world. In addition to working with River Ruckus, Laser Nets clients include the National Football League, Walt Disney, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Cher.
The laser show will projected over the Merrimack River, behind the boardwalk stage. An exciting element of the back drop will be a "peacock water screen," 60 feet tall by 120 feet wide. This freestanding sheet of water will be the main screen from which the laser light show will be projected.
Pencil-thin shafts of color will be projected onto the water screen, creating a myriad of special effects, moving elements, as well as corporate logos. An example of a laser light show produced by Lasernet can be seen on YouTube, at youtube.com/watch?v=iEcs0Au1ZiM&feature=player_embedded.
The theme of the show is a secret, but fans of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" might find they especially enjoy the show.
In stark contrast from the futuristic vision of the laser show, visitors to River Ruckus will meet someone whose family ties to the Haverhill area go back centuries before the city's founding.
Sammy the Sturgeon, the mascot for River Ruckus, is one of the coolest "hoodies" of the Merrimack Valley. He was inspired by the short-nosed sturgeon that have traveled up the Merrimack river to spawn from the Atlantic Ocean each year for thousands of years.
River Ruckus is being organized by Team Haverhill in collaboration with the Greater Haverhill Chamber Community and the City of Haverhill.
Here are some more highlights of the day:
Car Show: The day will kick-off with a classic car parade starting at 10:30 am. Participating cars will assemble and leave from Academy Lanes Plaza in Bradford and travel across the Basiliere Bridge and down Merrimack to Washington Street, where the cars will park for the day. Throughout the show, guests will be entertained by street performers and a variety of musical performances. One car that will surely gather lots of attention and votes for the "Peoples Choice Award" is the 1967 Triumph meticulously restored by David Roberston of Framingham. More than 100 classic and special interest cars will participate. You might even see Elvis among the performers! The Classic Car Parade and Show is sponsored by Haverhill Bank.
Entertainment at the Boardwalk Stage: At the main River Ruckus Stage, located next to the boardwalk and behind The Tap restaurant, a full day of entertainment from national, regional, and local performance groups will offer something for all interests. The highlight of the entertainment schedule is the US Air Force Band of Liberty that will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Throughout the day, the program includes a variety of entertainment, including Satch Romano and the Lickity-Split Blues band, Los Sugar Kings, and a Caberet show from the Spotlight Playhouse.
Children's Activities: Children's activities and entertainment will be hosted in Columbus park starting at 11:30 am.
Decorated Boat Parade: Boaters from the Merrimack Valley, North Shore and Southern New Hampshire region are invited to participate in the decorated boat parade. The boat parade will start at the Crescent Yaght Club and travel up river to the boardwalk area for judging.
In addition to NMTW Community Credit Union, sponsors include Haverhill Bank, Pentucket Medical Associates, Pentucket Bank, Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union, Merrimack Valley Hospital, Lowell Five, Verizon Foundation, Bethany Homes and The Haverhill Gazette. It's not too late to help support this remarkable event. To learn more about sponsorship, contact River Ruckus Co-Chairman Warren Gerety at 603-702-0120.
For more information contact Eric Karlstad by e-mail at ewkarlstad@yahoo.com or by phone at 978-994-9508.
