Take Me to the River festival returns to Fall River

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Preparations are underway for a party in Fall River to celebrate the city’s waterfront.

“We’re calling it the feel-good event of the century,” Narrows Center for the Arts Executive Director Patrick Norton said. “It might be a bit of an exaggeration, but that’s our marketing plan at the narrows, we believe in that.”

For the second year in a row the Narrows Center was looking to rock the Taunton River with its “Take Me to the River” festival.

Organizers were hoping to bring an even better experience the second time around.

“We really landed upon this place last year,” Norton said. “We loved it, we think it’s the nicest place in the city. I’m a little bit biased. The pier is named after my dad, so there’s a bit of a sentimental bit to it as well.”

Last year’s festival saw 1,000 attendees, and Norton was was predicting a similar number.

Organizers promised food trucks and drinks for those in attendance, as well as three musicians, including a Grammy winner.

By bringing in those big names, Norton said he hoped that the event will bring a big crowd into the city.

“Last year, we figured about 70% of people that came into the event came from outside the city of Fall River,” he said. “All six New England states were represented, so it’s an economic event too, where it brings people from all over.”

Take Me to the River will occur on Aug. 23 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Shuttle trolleys will bring people to the event from nearby parking lots and the Fall River MBTA station throughout the day.