“It’s kind of nice to have a fair-like atmosphere near school,” Reyes said, kettle corn in hand.

While the cold temperatures kept some at home, it couldn’t keep the die-hard fans away.

Regatta veterans Molly and Charles Barksdale of Austin, Texas, staked out a stretch along Eliot Bridge to lay out their full-size flag of Texas.

“All in all, the weather’s not so bad, but we’re a little wimpy,” Molly Barksdale said while trying to keep the flag from blowing away in the wind.

For Aerial Gilbert and Sarah M. Jones, the Head of the Charles was a particularly poignant experience.

Gilbert, age 50, has been rowing for 30 years but lost her sight 15 years ago after using contaminated eyedrops.

On Saturday, she became the first blind rower to complete the race, with her guide dog Hedda waiting on the banks.

She paired up with Jones, a member of the 2004 Olympic team, in hopes of raising awareness for guide dogs and adaptive rowing.

“It was the chance of a lifetime for me,” said Gilbert.

They finished 14th of 21 teams in the champion doubles women race.

“Not too bad for a couple of ladies,” Jones joked.

And Gilbert said that she enjoyed it so much they may come back.

“We’re toying with the idea of doing it again next year,” she said.