Annual Herring Run Festival in Plymouth MA

The Annual Herring Run Festival in Plymouth, MA, on April 25, 2020, as part of the World Fish Migration Day Celebration.

World Fish Migration Day (WFMD) was founded by Herman Wanningen from the Netherlands as a global celebration of rivers and fish migration events. In November 2018, David Gould, Director of Marine and Environmental Affairs, was invited to present the Town of Plymouth’s work on dam removals and the restoration of rivers and wetlands at the Dutch Embassy in Washington DC. This was followed by a screening of the WFMD documentary Love Flows about the global movement to remove dams and restore migratory fish runs. With the existing connection between the Town of Plymouth, Pilgrims and the Netherlands (Leiden) a connection was made ultimately leading to Plymouth being designated as the North American Headquarters for WFMD 2020.

In May 2019 Wanningen traveled to Plymouth to tour the various restoration sites in town and was significantly impressed by the Town and the restoration work that has been done to decide that he will be in Plymouth for 4-6 weeks in April and May of 2020 for the WFMD events. These events will begin with a series of bi-monthly lectures at the Wildlands Trust Barn in January, February, and March (listed separately).  These lectures will lead into April with the Annual Herring Run Festival. This event begins with a “fish” parade in Brewster Gardens at 10 a.m., then moves to Plimoth Grist Mill and Jenney Pond Park from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Herring Run Festival. More details will be added here as it becomes available.

The World Fish Migration Day Celebration will culminate in an international seminar on May 15th and various celebrations on May 16th including tours, art shows, and children’s events focused on environmental issues (event listed separately).

Among the partners involved in the celebration in Plymouth will be the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Plimoth Plantation, the Wampanoag Tribe, American Rivers, and Wildlands Trust.