Overview:

Tony Alario, owner of TNT Co-op Mall in Athol, has commissioned a pair of miniature canoe paddles to be awarded to the team that draws number 33 at the River Rat Race position drawing. Alario has been involved with the River Rat Race for four decades, and other downtown Athol businesses are also getting involved in the event. Los Agaves Grill and Kellie's Breakfast & Lunch will be opening earlier than usual on Saturday, and other events taking place this weekend include a pancake breakfast, a spaghetti supper, and the 61st Annual River Rat Race.

(From left) Caesar Franco, Sr., Julian Diaz, Alex Lupe and Caesar Franco, Jr. The Francos own Los Agaves Grill, and will open at 8 a.m. on River Rat Race day. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News

ATHOL – For the River Rat Race participant who draws number 33, Tony Alario has something special for them.

Alario, who owns the TNT Co-op Mall in Athol, has commissioned Bob Hertel, owner of BMH Woodshop of Fitchburg, to fashion a pair of miniature canoe paddles which will be awarded when positions are drawn at Athol Town Hall Friday evening. Alario said whichever team gets number 33 will get the paddles.

“Three has always been my number,” he said. “It’s my angel number, follows me wherever I go. I do everything in threes.”

Alario explained his connection to the River Rat goes back some four decades.

“I’ve been going to the River Rat Race since the 80s,” he said. “We used to sell cotton candy and balloons down the street. We’re related to the Fanellis who run the carnival – they were my dad’s second cousins. Our family used to do that for years. As a kid, I would run down the street and the place was packed. So, it’s something that was fun as a kid. But even more than that, I just love getting involved in the community.”

Alario added that he has also been selling River Rat T-shirts at his business.

Other downtown Athol businesses are getting involved in their own way.

Los Agaves Grill will be opening earlier than usual on Saturday, according to co-owner Caesar Franco, Jr. The restaurant, which normally opens at 11 a.m., will instead open its doors at 8 a.m. to offer breakfast specials to those showing up to watch the Big Cheese 5K and the River Rat Promenade, better known simply as “the parade.”

The restaurant won’t be offering outside seating, as it does for the annual Fourth Friday summer events.

“People pack the sidewalk to watch the race and the parade, so we really can’t set up for something like that,” Franco said.

As a member of the Athol Fire Department, Franco said he’ll be attending to other duties on Saturday.

“I’ll be out somewhere along the river providing coverage for the canoe race,” he said.

Also open early Saturday morning will be Kellie’s Breakfast & Lunch. The popular local eatery opens at 6:30 a.m.

Other events taking place this weekend include:

Friday, April 10

  • 4:30-7 p.m., Athol-Orange Chuck Stone Youth Baseball/Softball League spaghetti supper at Athol American Legion, 325 Pequoig Ave, $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 3-12, children under 3 eat for free.
  • 7 p.m., position drawing at Athol Town Hall, 584 Main St.

Saturday, April 11

  • 7-11 a.m., pancake breakfast, North Quabbin Lodge of Masons, 336 Main St., Athol, $10 for adults, $5 for kids 5 and under.
  • 8-9:15 a.m., registration and check-in for Big Cheese 5K, YMCA Gymnasium, 545 Main St., Athol.
  • 9:30 a.m., Big Cheese 5K, starting line at School and Prospect streets, Athol
  • 9:35 a.m., River Rat Promenade starts at School and Main streets, Athol
  • 10:30 a.m., Big Cheese awards handed out at YMCA Gymnasium
  • 12 p.m. River Rat Race number pickup deadline.
  • 12:30 p.m. River Rat Race pre-race.
  • 1 p.m., 61st Annual River Rat Race, starting line at Main Street Bridge in Athol. Finish line at Riverfront Park in Orange.
  • 1-3 p.m.. River Rat Block Party, Riverfront Park, Orange, music by The Can Collectors.
  • 5 p.m. River Rat Race awards, Riverfront Park, Orange.