Good Morning Gloucester

As you have heard me say, I am not a birder though I do love taking bird photos. I was doing just that with this unusual (for me) bird in East Gloucester. I had observed it previously but was without my camera but this time I hit the jackpot as it paddled close by. I suspected at first it might be a loon, something I have always wanted to see, but clearly this wasn’t the loon I was expecting. The Photo ID on the Merlin app identified it as a red throated loon, apparently a bit unusual in our area. Some additional info at this Cornell link if you are interested…birder or not…..

Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Gloucester as Culture Splash gears up for its third year. The event series is set to kick off on Thursday, July 6th, adding an exciting blend of new offerings to its already impressive roster. Culture Splash has also had a light rebrand thanks to local designer Alex Warden, and visitors will notice a new logo and color scheme donned on signage, stickers, and flyers this year.

Home to two of Massachusetts’ designated cultural districts, Rocky Neck and Harbortown, Gloucester has a unique blend of history, fine arts, creativity, maritime tradition, and diverse cultures. Culture Splash brings these elements together for a vibrant, city-wide celebration every Thursday evening in July and August from 4:00 to 7:00pm.

Made possible by funding from the City of Gloucester and Mass Culture Council, each Culture Splash Thursday includes free events in both districts from 4:00-7:00pm, and free rides between districts on the Cape Ann Harbor Tours Water Shuttle from 4:00-8:00pm! This year, we’ve expanded our Harbor Shuttle service to stop at St. Peter’s Park, bringing ‘Culture Splashers’ easy access to more of the Harbortown Cultural District. With stops at Harbor Loop, Rocky Neck, and now St. Peter’s Park, guests can easily traverse and explore the diverse cultural landscape of Gloucester.

As always, participating cultural organizations will open their doors, hosting an array of events that include writing workshops, artist demonstrations, gallery exhibits, admission to museums, performances, and live music – all free of charge! Enjoy the return of Cape Ann Museum’s popular weekly outdoor Courtyard Concerts at the downtown campus on Pleasant Street, live dance performances offered by MAGMA (Movement Arts Gloucester, MA), sail on a local Schooner or take a deck tour of a visiting vessel during the Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous, learn about Folly Cove Sketches at the Sawyer Free Library, see the Cape Ann Big Band at Gloucester Meetinghouse, take in a performance of the Annisquam Village Players’ The Gloucester Story on Maritime Gloucester’s pier, and so much more in Harbortown.

“Whether taking part in the world-class cultural district of America’s oldest art colony on Rocky Neck or experiencing the unique cultural heritage of America’s oldest seaport in Harbortown, your Thursday nights this summer are sure to be memorable. Come explore the first city in Massachusetts to have two designated cultural districts, and find out all that Gloucester has to offer,” said Michael DeKoster, Executive Director at Maritime Gloucester.

On Rocky Neck, programming includes workshops and events with Gloucester Writers Center, the Spongebob Musical & Backyard Dock Party at Gloucester Stage Co., Demos with North Shore Arts Association, Cape Ann Makers Markets at Ocean Alliance, a Good Harbor Play Reading with Rocky Neck Art Colony, and live music featuring local musicians. Plus in 2023, more galleries will be opening their doors to visitors and residents than ever before for exhibits, activities, and demos. From Madfish Wharf to Cripple Cove – there is so much to see and do on Rocky Neck!

“This collaboration is an invitation to guests from afar and in each district’s backyard to come out and celebrate the arts and culture surrounding Gloucester’s harbor. We’re excited for Culture Splash visitors to experience free events in both communities via the free water shuttle across the harbor” said Chris Griffith, Managing Director at Gloucester Stage.

Culture Splash invites you to plunge into Gloucester’s cultural tide, where every wave is a new story waiting to be discovered. Get ready to embark on a journey of music, art, dance, history, and maritime exploration this summer. For more information and regular updates on weekly event activities and local business happenings, visit discovergloucester.com/culture-splash

About Culture Splash
Culture Splash is an annual summer event series hosted by the Rocky Neck and Harbortown Cultural Districts of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The event showcases Gloucester’s cultural organizations, creative groups, galleries, artists, and cultural non-profits. Launched in 2021, Culture Splash aims to celebrate and promote the city’s vibrant cultural community.

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LINK TO PURCHASE- https://gloucesterapparel.square.site/

Dear ______________

Please accept my sincere apologies for not being able to attend your ____________. As you know, my passion is boating and spending as much time aboard as we can. The short boating season and the high costs associated with the boat to sit idle (unused for a weekend) requires me to say no to all non boating events planned during this boating season. Please don?t take this personally, but I hope you understand my formal summer weekend policy. If you would like to move your special event after November 15th and before April 15th, I would be happy to attend. I hope you respect my position, as I respect yours selecting a date that ruins everyone?s summer weekend plans which everyone is dreading going to anyways.

Knowing that you will not change the date to accommodate my schedule, please accept this sweet cap as a gift.

Sharing Instagram info fro Happy Humpback on Lexington Ave in Magnolia

Focus on the Fuchsia…

147 Thatcher Rd Gloucester

I absolutely love walking along the dock area behind Maritime Gloucester on the Harbor Loop. There is ALWAYS something that catches my eye. You should try it too! Maybe I will see you.

Ok it’s official!!! Be at @bluecollarlobsterco Behind the Gloucester House at 9am Saturday for sign in. Let me know if you plan on entering. There will be a cash bar and Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas will be flowing!!! We encourage drinking to loosen up your play. We will have prizes including GMG Merch and a new previously unreleased Gloucester golf Quarter Zip! Zero cost entry fee. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We encourage you to bring friends and take
Good care of your bartenders. We will be live-streaming the event for those that can’t attend. Can’t wait to see you all there. Invite friends and let me know if you will be competing!!!!LFG!!!!!!

Thanks to Lyon Waugh Auto Group for providing the putting green.

The seine boat races, greasy pole, musical entertainment, carnival, and blessing of the fleet are all part of the annual 4 day celebration we revel in called St Peter’s Fiesta. But the Procession is the heart of what it’s all about.

Link to article here