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Saturday May 16th, 2026
Saturday May 16th, 2026
Join us for a day of fun at the Benton Alewife Festival, a free community event celebrating the annual return of the alewives to the Sebasticook River. This event includes live music, food, arts & crafts, face painting, nature trail walk to the dam, samples of smoked alewives, demonstrations and activities for all ages.
The alewives, also known as river herring, make their way each year from the ocean up the Sebasticook river to their freshwater habitat. Benton is home to the largest alewife “run” in the United States with more than 9 million fish passing through the fish elevator in 2025.
Because of this massive migration, the river is also host to the largest gathering of Bald Eagles in the Northeast. So come and see this amazing spectacle!
Benton Town Office - Riverside Park
1279 Clinton Ave, Benton, ME 04901
11:00 am- 3:00 pm
Rain or Shine!
For more information visit our Facebook Page
Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park
At the festival there will be live music, food by Rita's Catering and Stone Fox Creamery. There will also be demonstrations, exhibitors and activities for all ages!
Nature Trail Walk
Nature Trail Walk
Take a guided nature walk to the dam to see the fish elevator and the alewife harvesters. Tours leave from the park at the trail entrance at frequent intervals.
Fish Elevator at the Dam
Fish Elevator at the Dam
One of the main attractions at the festival is the fish elevator at the Benton Falls Dam. This is accessible by shuttle from the town office and guided walking tours from the festival at the Riverfront Park.
What's an Alewife? Learn from our volunteers about these migratory fish and their journey from the ocean to their inland habitat.
Make a Fish Print!
Make a Fish Print!
Make a custom fish print with a workshop led by artist Lia Gonçalves, along with many other free arts and crafts activities at the festival.
Learn more about the alewife migration and the annual harvest in Benton Falls, Maine.
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