HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES

The Pinewoods Morris Men join in a celebration with Harvard and the local communities honoring the beginning of the new season and the new, lovely lighting on the Weeks Memorial Footbridge. (Staff photos Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard News Office)

Spectators of all ages and from all corners of the community lining either side of the Charles were knit together by sound as chanting voices echoed the call of

'RiverSing: Bridging the Charles With Voice and Light' celebrates the first day of fall as well as the illumination of the Weeks Memorial Footbridge.

Swiss Alp horns.

As dusk fell, drummers kicked up a driving rhythm, young mothers swayed infants on their hips, and college students danced arm in arm. All watched the bridge as the new lights grew brighter.

The event and the permanent lighting of the Weeks Footbridge were made possible by the support of Harvard University, the LEF Foundation, and individual community members.

"This would not have happened without the wealth and dedication of a community," said Renata von Tscharner, founder and president of the Charles River Conservancy, who added that the public parklands and Weeks Footbridge set the stage for a celebration that engaged everyone. "It has been an amazing collaboration."

"This is all about connections and our shared environment," added Mary Power, senior director of community relations at Harvard University, whose office provided more than half of the financial support for the bridge lighting. "This is a beautiful river, a cherished asset to us all. The only way to be good stewards is to join together to maintain this extraordinary community amenity."

- Lauren Marshall

Colorful fish cruise along the Weeks Bridge as part of the musical celebration of safety and community.

Erik Marks and his baby, Sky, enjoy the view from the banks of the Charles River.