Thousands Celebrate Worcester’s Tercentennial |
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A full slate of festivities drew thousands to Worcester as the City celebrated its 300th birthday. The occasion kicked off Friday, June 10, with fireworks at Polar Park, where Worcester native and “The Voice” star Ricky Duran performed the national anthem for 6,200 patrons. Saturday included a festival on Worcester Common featuring food trucks, acrobats, artists, and local organizations. At the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District’s table, Worcester resident Francis Dina won tickets to a July WooSox game, generously donated by AC Hotel Worcester.
More than 700 runners participated in a Tercentennial 5k race before a parade replete with color and culture — including eye-popping, 9-foot marionettes dressed in attire from across the world — cruised down Main Street. The Boston Pops and Brian McKnight dazzled at the DCU Center on Sunday for a crowd of more than 8,000 people. The weekend spotlighted the vibrancy of Worcester and its residents.
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Summer in Worcester Has
Ample Entertainment
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Performances, parties, and movies are ahead this summer in Worcester, giving residents and visitors of all ages something to enjoy! |
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Movies on the Common
Families are invited to the Worcester Common for two movie nights this summer, sponsored by the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District and the City of Worcester. Movie nights will feature Disney’s Encanto on Thursday, July 21, and Spiderman: No Way Home on Thursday, August 18. It is suggested that movie-goers arrive around 6:30 p.m. to get settled before the films start at sundown.
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Photo credit: Erika Sidor
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7th Annual Summer Gospel Fest
Soulful music will return to Worcester Common from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 for the 7th annual Gospel Fest, presented by signature sponsors City Church Marlborough, Worcester Arts Council, and Mass Cultural Council. The free event celebrates music and cultural diversity in Worcester and will feature food for sale by various vendors, activities for children, health and wellness services, and free giveaways.
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Block Party
Following a successful event last summer, the Worcester Public Library is hosting another block party. The party, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, will feature entertainment from DJ Chuck Chillin and activities such as face painting by Face Escape, Magic Fred’s Magic Show, Curious Creatures Reptile Exhibit, and an inflatable slide. There will also be food trucks and more than 60 vendors ranging from crafts to local nonprofits.
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Sunset Musical Performance
Jazz fans will enjoy a sunset musical performance behind The Hanover Theatre on Friday, August 19. The event is sponsored by WICN 90.5, The Hanover Theatre, and the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District. This year’s featured performer will feature singer, songwriter, and sax player extraordinaire, Grace Kelly, and her band.
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Out to Lunch Festival
Those who live and work Downtown can enjoy the 12th year of the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers’ Market on the Common on Thursdays, August 4 and 18, and September 1, with a rain date of September 8. Markets will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and feature musical performances, local artists and crafters, area restaurants, farmers, and community organizations and nonprofits. This year’s performers include:
August 4: The Alchemystics—reggae, hip-hop, soul, rock, and rhythms of Jamaica, Cuba, and Trinidad
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Photo credit: City of Worcester
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Worcester’s Repertory Company Returns with Shakespeare and More |
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Seeking a night at the theater? You don’t have to travel to Boston or New York to enjoy an incredible performance: Entertainment is right here in Downtown Worcester! After the success of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar last summer, Worcester’s repertory company, The Hanover Theatre Rep, is back for the 2022–23 season. Led by Artistic Director Livy Scanlon, this season’s lineup includes Shakespeare’s Macbeth, an Edgar Allan Poe double-header of The Tell-Tale Heart and The Cask of Amontillado, and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. THT Rep runs out of the BrickBox Theater, a one-of-a-kind venue that hosts a range of performances and is one of the newer additions to Downtown Worcester.
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Photo credit: The Hanover Theatre Repertory
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Meet Downtown’s Newest Businesses |
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Downtown welcomes new and returning businesses this summer, adding to the network of shops and restaurants that make the area inviting. |
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Sea Grass Therapies, which opened at 145 Front Street, offers services like facial masks and massages and wants to be known as the place for athletes in Central Massachusetts to seek spa treatments.
Photo credit: Sea Grass Therapies
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Puerto Rican restaurant Que Rico Quirico’s has opened in the newly renovated Midtown Mall. The first new business to open in the updated facility, the restaurant has been selling out of rice and meat combo plates.
Photo credit: Que Rico Quirico's
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Woo Juice plans to open in the Midtown Mall, serving freshly pressed juices and smoothies.
Photo credit: Woo Juice
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Oishi Japanese Restaurant is planning to reopen in August at 389 Main Street in the former home of Z Cafe. The move will allow for an expanded menu.
Photo credit: Oishi Japanese Restaurant
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Be a Voice in Worcester’s Future |
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Want a say in the future of Worcester? Join a Zoom meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 7, to share your vision for the second-largest city in New England. As Worcester continues to map its future, the results of the spring Now | Next survey have come in. Of those who responded, 88 percent agreed with the statement, “A vibrant Downtown active through the evening hours will be an asset to the entire City.” We’re thrilled to see that most support our goal of creating an 18-hour destination district bustling with culturally diverse entertainment, restaurants, and businesses. Worcester wants to hear more from residents, business and property owners, and workers. |
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Our Downtown Worcester Ambassadors were busy in May working on beautification efforts. You may have seen them out weeding and pressure-washing sidewalks. Ambassadors laid about 7 yards of fresh mulch to more than 70 tree pits in our district. They removed 3,760 pounds of trash and nearly 5,700 cigarette butts during the month. In total, our Ambassadors spent 1,296 hours out providing services, including 25 hours of pressure-washing. |
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The focus of our Instagram page is to highlight the businesses and people of Downtown Worcester. Follow our page for our shop local/eat local series, community event announcements, did you know facts, and Downtown history.
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