CHESHIRE, Mass.— The former Cheshire Block Party returns on July 22 with a new name and a new vibe.
"Our message and motivation with regard to our projects and events has not changed," Cheshire Community Association (CCA) President John Tremblay said. "We measure our success by smiles on faces, and based on the number witnessed, the connections created and reinforced are priceless."
The festival starts at 5 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m. It is free.
Since July 2015, the CCA, and all volunteer nonprofit, group has held two block parties each summer in the town's downtown area around Town Hall. But this year will be different and the event has been rebranded as the The Cheshire Summer Festival and it will now be held at the former Cheshire Elementary School grounds.
"With our event venue changing and some reinvention happening we felt it appropriate to freshen up the name as well," Tremblay said. "It's good for us to continue evolving."
He said this year there will be two performing acts.
"In the interest of cultural diversity, we've gone full spectrum with a very popular Polka Band - the Eddie Forman Orchestra - on one end, and an incredible Breakdancing troupe from the Funk Box Dance Studio in Pittsfield - on the other," he said. "Sure this model may be a little unusual, but we know one thing for sure, there's going to be a lot of dancing going on."
For food Ozzie's Food Truck will be on site providing some traditional Polish food in addition to his standard American fare.
There will also be a ceremony marking the school building's centennial and Cheshire Corn Hole Cup. There will also be a painting, balloon tying, and a raffle.
The rain location is the former school's cafeteria.
The CCA grew from a group of residents opposed to the construction of a Dollar General in town. They were able to impact the design of the building and its location but more importantly, instilled a sense of community in Cheshire.
"One thing we've definitely learned is that Margaret Meade was right. Groups of thoughtful, committed citizens is how things get done," he said. "We're fortunate to have multiple groups like that in Cheshire, of which the CCA is one."
He listed the town's efforts to become an Appalachian Trail Community, creating a hiker campsite, art along the Rail Trail, the mural on Route 8, and town clean-up days.
"We've been able to bring folks together for a common cause which I like to call the ‘Cheshire Experience,'" he said. "Collectively these endeavors move the needle with respect to community building but also from an economic development standpoint. If visiting and living in Cheshire is desirable, that pays dividends for our town and the residents across the board."
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Cheshire Tag Sale and Bazaar
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Cheshire Community Association (CCA) announced the return of the Cheshire Community Tag Sale and Bazaar for its second year.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9 AM to 1 PM, the event offers a day of treasure hunting, local craftsmanship, and treats at the Cheshire Community House located at 191 Church St, Cheshire.
Attendees can explore a variety of offerings, including handmade crafts, antiques, collectibles, and food options. The hot food truck, operated by the Berkshire Lodge of Masons AF & AM, will be stationed in the courtyard, serving up treats throughout the event.
One of the highlights of this year's event is the fundraising raffle, with all proceeds set to benefit the Cheshire Food Pantry. Participants can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes, supporting a worthy cause that serves the local community.
Registration for vendors interested in participating in the bazaar is currently open, with fees ranging from $10 to $30. Cheshire residents looking to showcase their items from home can have their locations advertised on the event map for a fee of $10. The deadline for registration is set for Friday, April 26, 2024.
Registration forms can be obtained from various locations across Cheshire, including A to Z Printing, Cheshire Community House, Cheshire Library, Cheshire Glassworks, Cheshire Senior Center, the Cheshire Community Association Facebook page, and the Cheshire Town website.
For more information about the event, including vendor registration and sponsorship opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to contact Jenny Gadbois at (413) 841-0844 or via email at jlgadbois@icloud.com.
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