Day: August 25, 2026

2026 Luminaries & Love Event, taking place on August 31 (rain date: September 1). This special community gathering is a peaceful evening of healing, remembrance, and support as we remember loved ones lost to substance use and stand beside the family members and friends they left behind.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Each year, more than 1,500 luminary bags line the boulevard, creating a beautiful tribute to those we have lost. Canned goods are used to weigh down the bags and are then donated to The Open Doorto help feed our community. In 2025, our community donated an incredible 2,007 pounds of food in memory of loved ones.

How You Can Help

Attend this peaceful healing ritual.
Join us in remembrance and help show grieving community members that they are not alone. Your presence helps create a powerful message of love, compassion, and hope.

Bring canned goods to the event.
Donations of canned goods can be brought directly to the event on August 31 (or September 1 if the rain date is needed).

Donate before the event.
Amazon wish list or canned goods can be dropped off through Sunday, August 30at the following locations:

  • Cape Ann Lanes
  • Middlesex Recovery
  • West Gloucester Trinitarian Church
  • Cape Ann YMCA
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/12D3MHJ9NH5CP?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_W8HDH96GB2DRJKRKGCQH

Volunteer for setup or breakdown.
Volunteers are always needed. Setup begins after 3:00 p.m. at the Flagpole. Any amount of help is greatly appreciated incuding breakdown beginning around 8pm. It is a labor of love.

Help Preserve the Luminaries

Last year’s event was impacted by rain, and many of the luminary bags are fragile. Over the past year, volunteers have carefully repaired hundreds of bags. Attendees are encouraged to locate their bag from previous years and create a new one if it needs replacement.

Bags, markers and LED Lights are provided. Children are encouraged to draw chalk hearts and blow bubbles (provided).

If weather requires us to move to the rain date, an announcement will be posted by 3:00 p.m. on August 31 on the Gloucester Annual Overdose Vigil Facebook page.

As always, thank you to our community for coming together to make this meaningful night possible. Through remembrance, compassion, and collective support, we continue to honor those we have lost while bringing comfort and healing to those who carry their memory forward.

Together, let’s Light the Boulevard with Love.

Surfside Subs LOBSTER ROLL TUESDAY! 🍕🦞

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Tuesday just got even better! Stop in and take advantage of TWO great specials today:

🦞 $13.99 + tax Lobster Roll
Served with chips & pickles

🍕 BONUS SPECIAL:
Buy any 16” pizza and get a 2nd 16” pizza HALF PRICE!
*Limit of 2 per customer

Grab lunch, dinner, or both and enjoy a delicious Tuesday deal! 😋

*Excludes gluten free
*Excludes online orders

Time for One More Schooner Challenge Tonight

Posted on by Pat D

As I have noted previously we try to get out for the weekly Schooner Challenge through Maritime Heritage Charters held most Tuesdays throughout the summer. Last week was no exception. Each experience is unique as the passengers are part of a “lesson plan” for the program apprentices. At least one more Challenge is scheduled for tonight (weather permitting of course) so it’s a good time to plan to come along. AND there are Tuesday discounts offered, so it’s a win-win. See you out there!