Honoring the Legacy of Rachel Carson
Sunday, September 15, 2019 • Woods Hole, MA
Join us on Sunday, September 15 in Woods Hole as we celebrate “The Sea Around Us,” and the legacy of Rachel Carson. This FREE day of family fun is presented by the Woods Hole Business Association and the Woods Hole Science Community to commemorate the September publication of Ms. Carson’s groundbreaking work, “Silent Spring.” Did you know Rachel first learned to swim when she came to Woods Hole as a summer researcher in 1929? She would later become the first female to travel aboard a NOAA research vessel, and her connection to Woods Hole continued throughout her lifetime, impacting her global vision on man and the environment. Rachel’s contributions to the world cannot be overstated.
The festivities will kick off with fun and games for kids at noon at Waterfront Park, right near the Rachel Carson statue, sponsored by the Marine Biological Laboratory, followed by the Anything-But-a-Boat Race at 1 p.m, supported by WHOI and NOAA. Celebrate your vessel’s victory at the “Take Back the Beach Ball,” a village block party hosted by Quicks Hole Taqueria and the Landfall, featuring free outdoor music by local bands, corn hole for the kids, and libations and fare for purchase. Luscombe Avenue will be pedestrian-friendly from 2 to 6 p.m. and closed to vehicular traffic for this special community event immediately following the race.
The Anything-But-a-Boat Race is a storied Woods Hole tradition, revived in 2018 for the first time since Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s 75th anniversary in 2005. Human-powered “unboats” will attempt to successfully round a short course in Great Harbor. Are you up to the challenge? It may sound simple, but boat shells, surfboards and other commercially-available vessels are prohibited. Creativity, in name and design, is encouraged; the quirkier, the better!
Compete for prizes and bragging rights! Vessels must be registered, and accepted registrants will receive a $15 gift certificate to lunch on race day at Quicks Hole Taqueria or the Landfall for each participant aboard. Crew members must be 18 or older. Please note, the event is weather-permitting, and there is no rain date. Space is limited, so register your “unboat” today.
Get ready to kick back and enjoy a Sunday Funday. September is for locals, so join us as we “take back the beach.” We can’t wait to see you there!
Schedule of Events
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Kid Games at Waterfront Park |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Anything But a Boat Race at Garbage Beach |
| 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Take Back the Beach Ball at Landfall & Quicks Hole Taqueria |