'If you build it, they will come.'
Voice from the cornfield in the film "Field of Dreams"
City built it, and here they come
The boardwalk behind The Tap restaurant was completed too late last summer to be much of a draw for warm-weather activities, but plans already are in the works for a summer festival series that will center on the new riverfront attraction.
Federal and state taxpayers footed the $1.3 million bill for the project, which included a 300-foot riverwalk on the Merrimack River, resurfacing of the adjacent parking lot, period lighting and benches.
At the April 6, 2009 groundbreaking, local, state and federal officials pronounced the project a boon for the area.
Mayor Jim Fiorentini was confident in the boardwalk's ability to draw activity and business to the waterfront.
"Once it's completed it will attract a lot more people ... We are excited to see it all done and people using it," Fiorentini said at the time.
This summer, Fiorentini will see those words become reality, thanks to a concerted effort by Team Haverhill, the local Chamber of Commerce and other organizations.
A series of summer events — under the title Haverhill's RiverFest — will include familiar celebrations such as KidsFest and the River Run Boat Races, as well as a new event to be called River Ruckus.
Tentatively scheduled for Aug. 14, it could include a classic car show, art show, street entertainment, and an evening program on the river, perhaps a laser light show or lighted boat parade.
The activities would occur near the new section of boardwalk and extend along Washington and Wingate Streets.
Haverhill's RiverFest organizing committee is led by Leota Sarrette and Warren Gerety and next meets on March 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pentucket Bank community room.
We commend Fiorentini and those in his administration who lobbied tirelessly for the state and federal funding for the boardwalk. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas backed the project and worked to secure the 80 percent federal funding that allowed the project to move forward. State Reps. Brian Dempsey and Barbara L'Italien did the same on Beacon Hill to secure the remaining 20 percent.
If River Ruckus can draw thousands of visitors as last summer's speedboat races did — visitors who will spend in our hotels, stores, restaurants and other businesses — it will be $1.3 million very well spent.
