The annual Neponset Day festival on the banks of the Neponset River last Saturday morning and afternoon at the Neponset II Park on Hill Top Street brought out a large gathering to enjoy a great summer day.
With full sunshine and a hot day on hand, nothing beat jumping in a kayak and paddling along the river, or for the younger set, navigating to the new spray deck for a cool-down as the Branches Steel Drum band played under a tent nearby.
The festival is put on annually by the Neponset River Greenway Council, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and the Neponset River Watershed Association – among others.
Hundreds attended and enjoyed the afternoon on a river that not long ago was virtually inaccessible to recreation.
Above: It was a day for the whole crew on the river for the Lydon family, including Tony Flaherty, Georgia Lydon, Brooke Lydon, Declan Lydon, Coleman Lydon, and Amy Lydon. Seth Daniel photos
Nidhi Shah and Jay G. got their paddles ready and pushed off from the dock onto the Neponset River.
Boats of all kinds dotted the waters of the Neponset River on Saturday for Neponset Day in Dorchester.
David and Susan Hamilton prepped to paddle.
Boston Fire was on hand to instruct people on fire safety, including Lt. Henry Perkins, left, and Firefighter Spence.
Dedicated volunteers with the Neponset River Greenway Council included John and Maria Lyons, Paul Nutting, and Lee Toma.
With a marker in hand and rainbow face paint, Rosie Needham was excited to make a Neponset River butterfly.
With a picnic blanket and a shady spot, Margaret and Girlie Dagondon, Emil Mejia, Renee Baxter, and Zuni Louiseize slowed down life for a minute and had a great time at Neponset Day.
