March 01, 2004

By: Taylor Kent
Website: http://www.1st-in-steaks.com

Downtown Festival celebrates historic Harvard-Yale Regatta

The oldest inter-collegiate sporting event in the country is once again heading for New London's Thames River. With its long-standing tradition and fierce athletic competition, the Harvard-Yale regatta will be held Saturday, June 7 beginning at 10:30 AM. In honor of the race and its 125-year history in the city of New London, Machine Works at Essex presents Celebrate Regatta, a New London Main Street festival.

The festival will combine outdoor chowder bistros, live music, an observation train, and British influences and traditions from fish & chips to an evening reception with one of Britain's top rowing commentators and former coaches.

On Friday, June 6, join Yale and Harvard alumni and coaches for an exciting evening lecture at the Garde Arts Center presented by esteemed author, former Oxford coach, and BBC commentator, Dan Topolski. Beginning at 8 PM, Topolski will share his experience, Inside the Boat Race, from his turn as winning Oxford rower in '67 to his fifteen successful years as head coach of the Oxford, England team.

Now, as an author and BBC rowing commentator, he lends insight to memorable moments in the race, including the attempted American takeover of the Oxford University Boat Club that became the topic of his acclaimed book, True Blue. The evening at the Garde is sponsored by the Waterford Hotel Group and hosted by the NRF. A cocktail reception hosted by the National Rowing Association follows. Tickets are $8.

On Saturday, spectators can watch the historical four-mile straightaway course from the banks of the river and from the Regatta Observation Train (pending adequate subscription). The vintage observation train, coordinated by Green Mountain Railroad, allows passengers to view the race in its entirety, as it follows all three heats. The cost for Observation train tickets is $35 for adults, $15 for children 14 and under.

Highlights from the ongoing festival include the Saturday Market Season Opening on City Pier Plaza from 10 AM to 3 PM, Chowder, from New England Clam to Lobster-Corn will be simmering at the Chowder Fest along with fish and chips, lobster rolls and other regional fare. Chowderfest is sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Southeastern New England, Dominion, and Radisson Hotel. Enjoy live music by top regional bands The Rivergods and Parallel String Band from Noon-6 PM at the Parade.

An authentic British Doubledecker bus will be offering rides around historic New London as well as shuttling viewers to Riverside Park for the 12:15 PM start of the Varsity race. The bus will run from 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM and will depart from the Parade throughout the day. Celebrate Regatta is an annual festival created by New London Main Street, a comprehensive downtown revitalization program created to enhance, promote and preserve New London's historic downtown.

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About The Author:

Taylor Kent is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-steaks.com.  Great tips on buying top quality meats, steaks and seafood from the finest ranchers and butchers.