LAWRENCE, Mass. — The seventh annual Lawrence Celebration Regatta takes place on Saturday at the Abe Bashara Community Boathouse, with junior and master's competitors from across the region competing on the Merrimack River.

The regatta, which runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature 1,000 meter racing across 33 different events. First place medals awarded to the winner in each, starting at 2 p.m.

"It is very exciting to see what the regatta has done for rowing in the region," says Ellen Minzner, executive director the Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program who hosts the event. "When we started the regatta, the idea was to generate interest in a sport that has tremendous physical and psychological benefits for all participants, and in the last few years, the sport has really taken off."

In 2006, Greater Lawrence Rowing was founded as the newest component of Greater Lawrence Community Boating, and now boasts over 70 members, ranging from middle school to adults who train and compete together year-round.

Greater Lawrence Rowing has also increased its fleet in the last year, adding sculling boats to the program as well as a new racing 8-plus, which was dedicated to Chet Sidell and his family today.

"We are really proud of what our team has accomplished, and deeply grateful to all our supporters who helped get us where we are today," said Paul Bea, regatta director and head coach of the Greater Lawrence team. "In just a few short years, we have youth competing at a regional level and athletes getting recruited by college coaches. It is very exciting for these kids."

Greater Lawrence Rowing is a regional team that is open to any area high school and middle school youth, with modest fees and financial assistance to keep the sport accessible to a broad range of participants.

Greater Lawrence crew members will be competing in the regatta, including Hannah Osborne and Casey Schuh, both of Andover, who will head to the starting line as the team's men's and women's youth singles, while their teammates suit up tp compete in crews of two, four and eight.

Youth and adults interested crew are encouraged to visit www.glrowing.org to learn about the sport and join the recreational and learn to row programs offered at the Bashara Boathouse this summer, starting July 6.

The event is expected to draw over 250 competitors. It is free for spectators with satellite parking available at the Gem Group on Lawrencian Drive.

For information, contact Paul Bea at 978-681-8675 or visit www.glrowing.org.