Rockport National Bank – Holds Cookout for Contractors

A beautiful afternoon at Stage Fort Park with the Eurodam in the background.
Click on Photo to View Slide_show

Powwow Sunday!

Seaside Festival and Powwow
Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm

Check it out at Stage Fort Park! Intertribal American Indian event featuring dancing, story telling and arts and crafts. Public welcome. Free Admission. Drug and alcohol free event. Presented by the Intertribal Council of Tolba Menahan. Supported by the Gloucester Parks Department and Gloucester Cultural Council.

The Beer Tent Got Their Liquor License- It’s On Baby!

I know some of you cyclocross fanatics are interested in the sport and all but the news that was most important to me was if the Beer would be flowing in the beer tent.

Well according to the Twitter Feed Of The GP of Gloucester- they have approval for beer and wine in the Beer Tent at The Brewers Gran Prix at Stage Fort Park

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Spectator Information

What is the Gran Prix of Gloucester?
What is Cyclocross?
What is the Verge New England Championship Cyclocross Series?
What is the North American Cyclocross Trophy (NACT)?
The Venue: Stage Fort Park

What is the Gran Prix of Gloucester?

Take a dramatic harborfront park at the height of fall foliage season. Set up a twisting grass, dirt and asphalt racecourse with challenging obstacles. Unleash a crowd of world class cyclists to charge through the sharp curves and jump the barriers. Add screaming, cowbell ringing fans incited by a dynamic announcers. What do you have? One of the premier bicycle races in the country, right here in Gloucester.

The Gran Prix of Gloucester is two days of national calibre races where competitors from all over the US, Canada & Europe converge to race on the most beautiful race course in North America.

What is Cyclocross?

The most spectator-friendly form of bicycle racing, regardless of whether you’ve seen a bicycle race or not, cyclocross can be enjoyed by everyone.

Cyclocross (or just ‘cross to the throngs that race week in and week out) is a relatively new discipline of cycling in the US. Though it’s been around since the early 1900’s in Europe, it wasn’t until the 1970’s that cyclocross races started sprouting up in the US.

Often called the “steeplechase of bicycle racing” cyclocross races are fast-paced and are dramatic for spectators. Riders compete on a twisting course comprised of grass, asphalt and dirt. At several parts of the course, riders are forced to dismount their bikes and run up steep terrain or jump over obstacles.

To learn more about cyclocross, check out our Cyclocross 101 featuring video clips from the 2003 race.

What is the Verge New England Championship Cyclocross Series?

The Verge New England Cyclocross Series is a six-race series of internationally sanctioned events where competitors from all over the US & Canada compete for points

What is the North American Cyclocross Trophy (NACT)?

The North American Cyclocross Trophy (NACT) created in 2008, is comprised of “the classic cyclocross races” of North America. Each race on the tour has a long history and represents the essence of the sport. Overall series prizes totaled over $7,000 in addition to daily prize totals making it the richest cyclocross series outside of Europe.

The Venue: Stage Fort Park

Overlooking historic Gloucester Harbor and bound on two sides by Cressey and Half Moon Beaches, Stage Fort Park offers picnic areas with barbecue pits, a full Visitor Information center, a playground for the kids, and plenty of parking!

For additonal information on Stage Fort Park, the Essex National Heritage Area website is an excellent resource.

Just what is ‘cyclocross’?
Cyclocross 101

Getting to Gloucester; Accomodations; Local Bike Shops; Food & Attrations

Cape Ann Vacations
Visiting Gloucester

Monday Night Cookouts at Stage Fort Park

Pastor Jack Brown of the North Shore Bible Church hosts a cookout every Monday through out the summer.

 

Summer Concert Series

Stage Fort Park Summer Concert Series. Last Sunday was the Northsore Concert Band and there are six more upcoming! Click here to view the schedule.

Summer Concert

Summer Concert

Summer Concert

Summer Concert

Stage Fort Park Concert

Came upon an unexpected free concert at the Stage Fort Park bandstand Friday evening. The 195th Army Band from Belfast. Maine. Cheif Warrant Officer/Conductor, Brady Harris lead the group and we enjoyed some great jazz music and lovely lighting. A fish sandwich at the Cupboard made for a neat little impromptu picnic.

Concert

Click for more upcoming concerts, (including one tonight!) at the bandstand.

Easter Morning Sunrise from Stage Fort Park

Easter Morning Sunrise from Stage Fort Park Video

 

Http://www.FrontieroGallery.com

Sunrise Easter Morning 2010

Sunrise Easter Morning 2010 View from Stage Fort Park

 

Stage Fort Park Easter Morning 2010
Stage Fort Park Easter Morning 2010
Stage Fort Park Easter Morning 2010

 

Http://www.FrontieroGallery.com

Half Moon Beach Stage Fort Park Pic From Donna Ardizzoni

 

 

While You Were Sleeping

Stage Fort Sunrise 01.17.2010
Stage Fort Sunrise 01.17.2010
Stage Fort Sunrise 01.17.2010

Gloucester Classic- The Cupboard

Gloucester Classic- The Cupboard, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

Here are Grover and Cindy, long time owners of The Cupboard at Stage Fort Park.   My grandparents Joe and Felicia Ciaramitaro (The Captain Joe) lived up the hill from The Cupboard on Tolman Ave.

Both of my grandfather’s names were Joe Ciaramitaro.  One, Captain Joe who started Captain Joe and Sons with my father and uncle and the other- Joe Popcorn who owned Pat’s Center Grocery which started in the location where Sclafani’s is and then moved across the street to the location where the plaza housing Tedesci’s Market and Yama Wok are currently.

Grandma Felicia (although I never called her Grandma Felicia, it was always Grandma with the wharf) would go down to Stage Fort Park and knit with her sisters under one of the trees.  She’d walk down the bottom of the hill behind The Cupboard with her knitting bag and they would kabbitz and knit.

I remember way back then what a treat it was to go down to The Cupboard after ball games or when we would all go down as a family and eat on the benches outside, always finishing up with ice cream.  Some things are traditions and even though Cindy and Grover are not from Gloucester, you’d be hard pressed to say that there are  many more people woven into the fabric of  Gloucester memories over the years.

An imprint in my mind from yesteryear is the mural of Mother Hubbard hanging on the wall behind the counter.   It’s been there as long as I can remember and I wanted to be sure to take a picture of it.  The signature in the bottom right reads “Franklyn Hamilton”

Neptune’s Harvest- At Stage Fort Park!

While I was shooting the motorcycle run, I noticed this little postage stamp garden up near the visitor center. Amazing!

Neptune’s Harvest is a by-product of Ocean Crest Seafoods down in the Fort. I’ve used the stuff and things grow like crazy!

DSC_4119DSC_4121DSC_4123

The Pirates are Coming! The Pirates are Coming!

NEPF_Charge

Stage Fort Park in historic Gloucester, MA will host Pastimes’ annual piratical production. The two-day event will be held on June 20 and June 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and guests with a military ID, and $8 for children 4-12. If Joey wears the Puffy Shirt, we’ll pay his admission fee!

On Hour At A Time Gang-Stage Fort Park Clean Up

From Donna Ardizzone-

Hi All:

Hope everyone had a great weekend.    Since summer is officially started I thought Stage Fort Park and beach would be a good place to start.

Saturday:  May 30, 2009

Stage Fort Park

8:00 Am

Meet At The Visitor’s Center

Note to those thinking about going.  This will be a great time to pop in and check out the renovations at The Visitor’s Center.

NEW ENGLAND PIRATE FAIRE COMES TO GLOUCESTER

Click the picture for more photos
Click the picture for more photos

Pirates and buccaneers to raid Stage Fort Park June 20 – June 21

GLOUCESTER – Pastimes Entertainment has announced that their 6th annual pirate festival will take place in Gloucester this year at Stage Fort Park during June 20-21.

The New England Pirate Faire has moved to America’s Oldest Seaport to take advantage of the historical significance of Gloucester, as well as to enjoy the oceanfront view afforded by Stage Fort Park.

The annual production debuted in 2004 and has been held every year since in Salem.

Pastimes’ Creative Director David Stickney said the production’s move to Gloucester will fulfill a long term goal for the company.

“Wherever you are at Stage Fort Park, you can see the ocean. The realistic cannons at the park, the picturesque setting and the historical relevance of the park offers us the perfect backdrop for a pirate and sea-faring festival,” Stickney said.

Additionally, the move allows the company to expand the faire, which will feature over a cast of over 100 actors and musicians. The festival will also host the “Tortuga Marketplace” for vendors offering pirate clothing, prop weapons, accessories, jewelry, food, refreshments, and more.

The show will feature a scripted daylong storyline with several interactive scenes with characters drawn from literature and a different time.

The two-day event will be held on June 20 and June 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and guests with a military ID and $8 for children 4-12.

Stickney is working with Linn Parisi, owner of Over the Bridge Tours of Cape Ann in order to facilitate a citywide celebration of all things pirate.

“I’m thrilled for our City that The New England Pirate Faire wants to call Gloucester its home. Stage Fort Park is a fabulous venue for pirates young and old to enjoy a weekend of family fun. Plans are in the works for Pirate Faire themed activities on land and sea to please landlubbers, scalliwags and privateers!” Parisi said.

Pastimes, an interactive theater production company based in Revere, has been producing

festivals and faires in the Boston area for over 15 years, including the Castle of the Damned held annually at the Hammond Castle in Gloucester.

“We believe this event will be a great draw to the city of Gloucester, and we appreciate the support of local businesses and residents who wish to help support the faire,” Stickney added.

Any businesses interested in vending or sponsoring portions of the festival are encouraged to contact Stickney at 781-346-1028

Gloucester Visitors Welcoming Center At Stage Fort Park

At 8AM you’ll get the first glimpse inside the Visitors Welcome Center which is currently undergoing a renovation.