1984

The famous August 23, 1871, rowing race that gave Renforth its name will be held as it should have been on Aug. 18, 1984.

The bicentennial committee of New Brunswick, Saint John, Renforth, and East Riverside-Kingshurst, as well as Moosehead Breweries are sponsoring the "Greater Saint John Bicentennial Regatta" with four races and featuring the 1871 re-enactment.

A four-man crew from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, will meet a local four-man crew to be named from a proposed Canada Games crew in the near future.

They will race the six mile course with turn on the Kennebecasis River just as they planned it in 1871. In the 1871, race, however, the 'stroke', or rower who set the pace for the rest of the crew, suffered a massive heart attack and died when the crews had raced, only about a mile-and-a-half.

The unfortunate man’s name was James Renforth, and the community along the Kennebecasis where he died, which had been called, Chalet, was forever after called Renforth, in his honor.

Officials for the 1984 race will wear the clothes their counterparts wore in 1871. Delancey’s Brigade will be in attendance, adding some more historic color, and the St. Mary’s Band will entertain from a steamer float on the river.

The first race saw 15-000, spectators the shores of the Kennebecasis for the big event. Organizers of the Bicentennial version are hoping to entertain a great crowd as well, when the race starts at 3 p.m. at the Renforth wharf.

In addition to reenactment race, there will be a Moosehead Challenge race with crews of four from all over the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario and New England competing for $2,000 in prize money.

A Whaler’s race for the five men teams who row the heavy boats is also scheduled, with trophies for the winners; and kayak racers will compete for medals.

The new Canada Games Boat House that will house the Kennebecasis Rowing and Canoe Club will also be officially opened on the race day. A plaque honoring Dr. H. Bonnycastle, the founder and president of the Kennebecasis Rowing Club, will be presented to him at that time.