On June 4, 2006, the Exeter River Local Advisory Committee (ERLAC) held the 6th Annual Exeter River Alewife Festival along the banks of the Squamscott River in downtown Exeter. Three dozen organizations exhibited at the Festival and event organizers estimate approximately 300 people attended the event despite the inclement weather. The purpose of the Festival was to increase awareness of the Exeter River watershed and the role it plays in the Great Bay ecosystem, as well as its role in providing drinking water, wildlife habitat, and scenic, historic and recreational resources for residents in the ten watershed towns. Funding provided by the New Hampshire Estuaries Project enabled ERLAC to print maps of the watershed for public education as well as posters, banners, and newspaper advertisments announcing the event.