Herring Run Festival
Join us on Saturday, April 26th, 10am – 3pm, at the Plimoth Grist Mill and along Jenney Pond Park for a day of family-friendly activities including herring counts, alewife art, games, live music & more! Chat with local scientists, help contribute to ongoing herring research, and more!
Festival Activities
See Fish!
Cheer on the river herring as they make their way from the ocean to Billington to spawn, and learn about Plymouth’s exciting plans to build a more natural fish passage for the herring.
Be a Citizen Scientist
Help scientists study the population of herring by doing a 10-minute fish count.
Salt the Life-Sized Inflatable Whale
Take a step inside Salt and learn about whale anatomy, conservation and safe boating practices. NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
Echo the (Almost) Life-Sized Dolphin
Learn about the internal and external anatomy of dolphins, and their adaptations for survival. Whale and Dolphin Research Center.
Herring Run Obstacle Course
Experience the challenges of herring migration with this fun obstacle course. Herring Pond Watershed Association.
Wildlife Trailer
Step inside this mobile museum and learn about the animals that call Plymouth home. Plymouth Department of Energy and Environment.
Get Eye to Eye with River Herring
See herring closeup in the Herring Fish Tank. Town of Plymouth Dept. of Energy & Environment.
Eel Ladder
Learn about another fascinating migratory species. Eels! Town of Plymouth Dept. of Energy & Environment.
Book Signing
Local author Amy Estes will be signing her book Whale Poop, about Salt the Whale.
Red Tailed Ambassador Hawk (11:00 am - 1:00 pm)
Meet Coco the hawk and learn about importance of raptors and the dangers of rodenticides. JoAnn Byrnes, Wildlife Biologist and Educator.
Grinding Corn in the Plimoth Grist Mill (1 - 3:00 pm)
See the Grist Mill in Action (admission required, free admission to Plymouth residents).
Exhibitors
Visit our exhibitors and learn about how these incredible community organizations are working to help the environment and make a safer home for herring, eels, and other species. Many will have fun, hands-on activities.
- Citizens Climate Lobby and League of Women Voters
- Climate Action Net Zero Committee
- Community Land and Water Coalition
- Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe
- Herring Ponds Watershed Association
- Juniper + Pine Indigenous Collective
- Manomet Conservation Sciences
- Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
- MassSave
- NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
- Ocean River Institute
- Open Space Committee
- Plimoth Patuxet Museums Historic Patuxet Homesite
- Plimoth Patuxet Museums Membership
- Plymouth Public Library
- Rescue Plymouth Wildlife
- Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance
- Sustainable Plymouth
- Town of Plymouth Dept. of Energy & Environment - Fish Ladder
- Town of Plymouth Dept. of Energy & Environment - Wildlife Trailer
- Whale & Dolphin Conservation
- Wildlands Trust
- Wildlife Warriors
Music
Standing Quiver Singers (10 - 11:00 am)
Standing Quiver Singers (from Mashpee, MA) will present a powerful experience of Indigenous dance and song for audiences of all ages.
The Shady Roosters (12 - 2:00 pm)
Rockabilly and Americana Music
Food and Drink
- Filling Station Food Truck
- Gillis Family Tavern
- Wilde Flour Baking and Catering
- Independent Fermentations Beer Garden
Parking and More
Parking in the Jenney Pond Parking Lot will be very limited due to ongoing work. Parking is available on the street or in the lot by Town Hall ($1 per hour or $5 for the day). Free rides in Circuit eco-friendly cars will be available from 1 - 10:00 pm. Learn more about the Ride Circuit.
Environmentally friendly and sustainable portable toilets provided by WASTED.