The year 2015 will start with a thrill in Franklin on Thursday, January 1, as we welcome kayakers splashing and slicing through snow- and ice-filled Class IV rapids. This year marks the 34th annual New Year’s Day run on the Winnipesaukee River. It is a sight to see.

Choose Franklin invites all businesses, organizations, and groups to be a part of the festivities. Reserve your event table in the heated tent, free of charge, by calling 918-1998. Inform spectators of your winter activities and help welcome the Merrimack Valley Paddlers as they paddle down the Winnipesaukee River in Franklin, Northfield, and Tilton again this year.

Paddlers will take to the water between 11 AM and 1 PM, with novice and intermediate boaters paddling the upper Winnipesaukee from Route 140 to the Train Station in Northfield. Advanced boaters will paddle the lower Winnipesaukee from Cross Mill Road in Northfield to downtown Franklin, taking out at Trestle View Park. A summary video of last year’s event can be enjoyed at YouTube.com/watch?v=S2J3eIQweGk. A ten-minute video of the 2010 event is available at YouTube.com/watch?v=aOE11pDzQao.

Spectators are encouraged to attend, with best viewing at Trestle View Park, which is the take-out for paddlers on the lower section. The park will feature a heated tent with coffee, cocoa, chili, and “Hoppin’ John,” provided by Choose Franklin, Big Cat Coffee, the Franklin Rotary Club, and Franklin Savings Bank, along with information about the wealth of activities being put on by area organizations this winter. Spectators can walk, snowshoe, or ski on the Winnipesaukee River Trail to watch paddlers coming down the Class III and Class IV rapids.

Choose Franklin is the main sponsor of First Day Franklin and is seeking co-sponsors for the event. Last year, Franklin Savings Bank provided refreshments for the tent set-up crew. Franklin Rotary Club delivered the hot food for the warming tent, and the Franklin Fire Department, Franklin Recreation Center, Aubuchon Hardware, and Franklin Storage Company provided tables, heat, and electricity for the event tent.

For more information, to reserve a table for your business or organization, to volunteer to help with the tent or refreshments, to be a sponsoring partner, or to be involved in any way, please contact Dan Darling at 918-1998 or DanD0919@nullyahoo.com; or Sarah Stanley at Franklin Savings Bank at 934-8343.