The sixth annual Gloucester Block Party Series kicks off this Saturday, July 20 at 6 pm on Main Street. Restaurants will expand to serve outside and stores will have extended hours. There will be live entertainment on several performance stages all evening and activities for children in the Kids’ Town section.
The Rose Baker Senior Center joins the festivities this year with a chorus coached by musician and author Jorgelina Zeoli. The group will perform at 7 pm on the Applied Materials (formerly Sovereign) Stage. The new Hometown Realtors Marketplace central area features sponsor and local business information tables, games and contests.
Performers A Little Bit Country, Honky Tonk Women of Gloucester, Lauriellen and the Boys, Inge Berg, Not that Blonde, T Max, the Alex Razden Polygroove Orchestra, Cape Ann Dance, Joe and Renee, Dr. Bones Circus of Marvels, Fraternal Combustion Engine, The Electric Ear with special guest Flag Worship will appear on three stages renamed for major sponsors: Bank Gloucester, Whitmarsh Lock & Safe and Applied Materials. Appearing at 8 pm at the Dog Bar is Ned and the Big Babies. Street performers and a surprise or two are anticipated.
Ryan and Woods Distillers will sponsor a Block Party Cocktail contest. Bartenders will use R and W products to create a signature Block Party drink. Restaurant customers may sample and vote for their favorite at the Ryan and Woods Distillery information table.
Visit www.glostblockparty.com for details, performer and sponsor lists, directions, videos and to reach organizers. Future Block Parties will take place again August 17 and September 21.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Gloucester’s
“Main Street” Block Party
By Peter A. Todd
Thepoetryofpeteralberttodd.weebly.com
From East to West and in between
Gloucester’s Block Party is filled with fun
With people we may first meet or have long since seen
Re-united together with memories of the past and songs sung
The Fishermen and Lobstermen and blue collars too
Sharing happy moments of heritage past
Getting a taste of real cooking and many things to do
A night to be shared by all too long last
Music and Laughter and dancing in the street
The smiles of many happy faces
All the different varieties of drinks and food to eat
Under predawn sun and starlit night embraces
This my friends is the true heritage of Gloucester’s years
That the sands of time will never release to the seas
Through good times and yes and in times of fears
The future of our beloved Gloucester will be of progress
As long as we have Faith and believe
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What a wonderful poem, thanks for sharing!
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I am so pysched for this weekend’s Block Party (of course will be working at Sugar Mags), but am anxious about the weather forecast which is for periods of severe thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon/evening, about 60% chance according to weather.com. What are the back-up plans for that? When will they make the call?
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Our Gloucester
By Peter A. Todd
Thepoetryofpeteralberttodd.weebly.com
Our Gloucester, she exists in our hearts
Its tales of woe’s and seas of gallantry
We could be far away, but of our souls
Our Island we call home will never part
Its heritage more precious than diamonds or gold
The schooners, and draggers and ships at sail
Ten-Pound Island and the mysteries it holds
Our golden sands, changing with the storm tossed gale
Imprints of life erased by each mornings tide
Seagulls with their young gathering to feast
Gloucester made famous by fishermen of the sea
By others who fought for the rights of people like you or me
Our Gloucester of today and its many challenges present
That will be reached by Heritages pride and commitment
Our Gloucester is etched into the sands time
By the symbol of our Fishermen of the sea
It makes us proud of our heritage is world known
By the Captain at the wheel and the Leader of Gloucester’s Fleet
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