Day: July 28, 2015

The boys and I, along with some friends, have attended the HarborWalk Outdoor Cinema Series the past two Wednesdays.  The boys have had a great time and I’m sure we’ll continue to go as the summer continues.

There is nothing better than free community events and kudos to the organizers and sponsors for making it all happen.

That having been said, I have been horrified by the amount of trash that has been scattered and left behind by those in attendance.  I assure you that my photo doesn’t do justice to the enormous amount of debris, wrappers, and yuckiness that has littered the outdoor movie lot as families have packed up and headed for home.

Last week I asked my boys to each grab a few pieces of trash and we deposited it in trash cans on our way out.  There are, by the way, several trash cans available on location. On the way home, I was mad at myself for not staying and doing more to help return the lot to its tidy condition. I was more angered, however, by the fact that people could simply leave their crap behind in the first place.  Gosh knows I do PLENTY wrong, but I can’t help but think about what kind of message it gives children when they are allowed to walk away and leave their rubbish behind.

For the record, I am well aware that many families obviously took the time to pick up their items…but it was evident, that just as many, if not more, did not.

On a happier note, please look here to see the movie line-up for the rest of the summer, HarborWalk Cinema Series

MANCHESTER’S Festival by the sea returns on Saturday, august 1

A SEASIDE SUMMER CELEBRATION OF LOCAL ART, MUSIC AND FOOD

On Saturday, August 1, Manchester’s summertime celebration of local art, music and food, Festival by the Sea, returns to downtown. The popular annual event will feature close to 100 artists ranging from painters to jewelers and artisans, and it will stretch from Town Hall Common throughout town and into Masconomo Park.

In the park, visitors will find not only art, but a variety of foods provided by local restaurants and food trucks as well as a beer garden featuring Cape Ann Brewing’s signature ale, Fisherman’s Brew.

On the Masconomo Park bandstand, live music will extend throughout the day featuring many Cape Ann favorites, with the all-day event culminating with a 4 pm headlining performance by Brian Alex, of ENTRAIN. This year’s music is sponsored by the Kelly Automotive Group.

Festival by the Sea begins at 10 am and continues until 6:00 pm. There will be food, music, beer and wine in Masconomo Park all day long. There will also be activities for children throughout the day. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date will be the following day, Sunday, August 2. For more information, go to festivalbytheseama.com or follow Festival by the Sea on Facebook.

The event is free and there will be ample parking and a complimentary shuttle to and from satellite parking areas, compliments of Beauport Ambulance. Mark your calendar and pack your blanket for a day of great music, inspired artistry and delicious, locally grown foods.

Festival by the Sea is brought to you by the Manchester Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by Applied Materials, Cell Signaling, 7 Central, Foreign Affairs and 104.9FM.

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GLOUCESTER BLUES FESTIVAL returns on Saturday, august 8

BLUES BY THE SEA IN STAGE FORT PARK ON GLOUCESTER HARBOR

Now in its fourth year, this annual event has brought blues lovers from far and wide to Gloucester each August since 2012. Nearly 1,500 people attended last summer’s festival and this year’s show should exceed that number with the interest that has been generated!

Make sure to get your tickets early as blues lovers from throughout the Northeast will look to get the best seats in this beautiful harborside park.

World-class blues will reverberate through the park from 11 am to 8 pm with some of the nation’s finest performers playing from the Gloucester Blues stage. This year’s list of performers includes Sugar Blue, Lil’Ed and the Blues Imperials, Albert Castiglia, Joanna Connor, Alexis O. Suter, Mitch Woods and Juke Joint Five.

Located right on the harbor at beautiful Cressey’s Beach, the event will have a beer and wine garden and outstanding food vendors. Bring your own chairs or blankets (sorry, no pets, no umbrellas and no coolers). Tickets are $28.00 in advance or $40.00 at the gate.

To purchase advance tickets online up until August 3, and for further information, visit gloucesterbluesfestival.com, or stop in at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, 33 Commercial Street, Gloucester, MA. On-site city parking is $15.00 (free on-street parking is limited to 1 to 2 hours). The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is the principal sponsor of the Gloucester Blues Festival, which is produced by Paul Benjamin and Bob Hastings.

 

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