Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus, featuring classic cars, live music, kid’s activities and capped by fireworks on the river, is back for its 15th year this Saturday.
The free community festival also features the Community Corner, local food and a beer garden and concludes with a headlining performance by four-time Grammy nominee Grace Potter before the fireworks show over the Merrimack River.
The day kicks off at noon with the classic car show in the Riverfront Cultural District with hot rods and classic, muscle and specialty cars lining up on Washington Street for three hours. At Riverfront Park, the Haverhill High School Chorus sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” and performs three songs by Michael Jackson. The day also begins with the Haverhill High School Crew team finishing their exhibition rowing race in front of the festival on the Merrimack River.
Besides headliner Grace Potter, the River Ruckus Stage hosts live music programmed by The River 92.5, with Crooked Coast, Jennifer Tefft & the Strage, Foo Family and Tom Jordan & the Day Drinkers.
The Kids Zone runs from noon to 3 p.m. in Columbus Park and includes balloon artistry, professional face painting, free children’s books, print making with the Museum of Printing and Sea Creature Touch Tanks from Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats of Newburyport.
Food is available all day from local favorites la Pizza di Forno, Joseph’s Tratoria, Wang’s Table, The Baker’s Rack, Kona Ice, Carter’s Ice Cream, Barrio, Aroma Joe’s, Home Made Hummus and The Hidden Pig.
Launched from the middle of the river, the fireworks finale begins Saturday night at 8. A complete schedule is available at riverruckus.com.