Shad Fest: Spirit in the Rain

Bobby Kennedy Jr.
The 19th Annual Riverkeeper Shad Fest and Hudson River Celebration took place yesterday (May 18, 2008) at Boscobel Restoration, near Cold Spring New York. The day started as overcast when Queens CB2 Environmental Committee chair Dorothy Morehead and I arrived and we were happy to take in some great informational and green-friendly products booths and a falcon demonstration before we headed to the wine and food tents, which we were pleased to find were part of our $75 pre-sale admission fee. But the day got grayer and wetter. We met some nice folk, including NY Assembly candidate Jonathan Smith [102nd District], his wife Catherine, and their friend Jonathan Wright. And the sky opened up, dampening the fesitival grounds but not our spirits. Dorothy and I toured the beautiful restored home and finished in time hear the last part of Bobby Kennedy Jr.'s talk to the crowd. Then we gathered closer to the stage to join others under umbrellas (and kind enough to share them) in pouring rain to enjoy the Bacon Brothers Band, with Kevin Bacon rightfully getting a lot of attention but older brother Michael Bacon offering a lot of talent to the band as well.

Kevin and Michael Bacon with fiddler Carrie Rodriguez
Bobby came back to introduce a surprise guest, Dan Aykroyd, who joined the band and fiddler Carrie Rodriguez for a Rolling Stone number. Wow! We were all wet but very happy!


Jon Wright, Catherine and Jonathan Smith

I've posted a whole bunch more pictures at my Flickr site, conveniently in a Shad Fest set. Suffice it to say, the rain was a challenge, but in the end, it thinned out the crowds a bit and allowed us the opportunity to be able to get closer to the stage. I count my blessings and am thankful to my friend Dorothy for offering me company and transportation to this great event. We are already looking forward to the 20th annual Shad Fest and plan to bring more of our friends with us to support Riverkeeper's environmental efforts. Couldn't go? Donate anyway -- and talk to me about joining us next year.

Peace hugs,

Kate Anne

Dan Aykroyd