The Return of the Alewives: A Celebration of Life, Resilience, and River Revival in Exeter, NH

Each spring, something ancient and powerful unfolds beneath the surface of Maine and New Hampshire’s rivers.

The alewives return.

These small, silvery fish, also known as river herring, journey from the Atlantic Ocean back into freshwater rivers like the Exeter-Squamscott, following instincts etched over thousands of years. Their migration is more than a seasonal event; it’s a signal that the ecosystem is alive, connected, and healing.

And in Exeter, it’s also a reason to gather!

A Festival Rooted in Nature + Community

Like the alewives themselves, the Alewife Festival (taking place on Saturday, May 9, 2026) has become an annual return, one that brings together community, culture, and conservation in a meaningful and family-friendly way.

Held at Exeter Town Hall (9 Front Street), this free environmental festival celebrates the migration while inviting people of all ages to learn, connect, and take action for the waters that sustain us.

Festival Highlights

10:00 AM – Welcome + Land Acknowledgment
10:30 AM – Unveiling of the Exeter 250th Celebration Print by artist Sarah Koff
11:00 AM – Energy Committee presentation: Window Dressers Program
12:30 PM – Maritime Folk Singers

And for those looking to move with the migration:

10:00 AM – The Alewife Run
A ~6 mile group run/jog from Founders Park to Pickpocket Dam, following the path of the fish themselves.

Throughout the day, you’ll find:

Native fish “meet and greet” (weather permitting)
Interactive exhibits on Indigenous relationships with rivers
A deep dive into oyster filtration and water quality
Stream health exploration through aquatic insects
Pollinator education + native seeds (limited supply)
Electric vehicle showcase
Culvert Cornhole (yes, really)
Hourly raffles and hands-on activities for all ages
A chance to connect with organizations working to protect our waters

Why Alewives Matter

Alewives are a keystone species, meaning their presence supports an entire web of life.

They provide food for birds like osprey and eagles, nourish larger fish, and carry ocean nutrients upriver, feeding freshwater ecosystems. When alewives thrive, rivers thrive.

And their return hasn’t always been guaranteed.

Barriers like dams once blocked their migration routes, dramatically reducing populations. But thanks to community-driven efforts, like the removal of the Great Dam in Exeter in 2016, these fish are making a comeback. In fact, recent data shows migratory fish returns are higher than they’ve been since 1992.

That’s what collective action looks like.

Experience the Migration in Real Time

One of the most fascinating ways to connect with the alewives is through the live underwater webcam, made possible by the Exeter Conservation Commission and Exeter TV.

When streaming, you can witness the migration as it happens, schools of fish moving upstream, navigating currents, continuing a cycle older than the town itself. It’s mesmerizing, and a reminder that natural cycles continuously take place, sometimes beneath the surface.

From Celebration to Stewardship

The return of the alewives tells a larger story, one of restoration, resilience, and what’s possible when communities come together. Projects like the Exeter dam removal, culvert restorations near Rye Harbor, and improved stormwater systems across the watershed are all part of a growing movement to “turn the tide.”

The Alewife Festival is an experience of place. It’s the sound of music echoing through town hall, the curiosity of kids meeting fish up close, the quiet awe of watching a migration unfold, and the shared understanding that these rivers connect us all. So come celebrate.

And as you enjoy the energy, the learning, and the life flowing through Exeter, remember that protecting it is part of the story too.