For Immediate Release: 2/7/2017 3:34 pm
Worcester, MA (February 7, 2017) - With construction cranes filling the skyline, and new businesses opening weekly, downtown Worcester is in the midst of a transformation, and the City of Worcester is looking to make the Worcester Common the hub of it all.
City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. has challenged his staff and the community to make 2017 the biggest year on the Common yet. So this week, the City of Worcester is launching #Worcester100, a campaign to bring 100 events to the area of the Common this year.
The year is already off to a strong start, with the Worcester Common Oval skating rink entertaining hundreds of people every week. This Friday, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the Oval will be host to a Blizzard of 1978 theme party, complete with a heated tent on the Paul V. Mullaney Plaza, music, food trucks, a free showing of the 1978 classic "Grease" and plenty of Blizzard of '78 Ale by Worcester's own Wormtown Brewery.
Plenty of other events are already planned, including the popular Out to Lunch Concert Series, a weekly farmers' market, yoga on the Common and the 6th Annual Worcester Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival, which will move downtown from Elm Park this year. More events are being added every week! For a listing of upcoming events, visit WorcesterCommonOval.com.
Over the past five years, more than $10 million has been invested into the Common - including the new Worcester Common Oval skating rink and fully restored war memorials - and surrounding streets and sidewalks. The Worcester Police Department has added foot beat officers to ensure downtown is a fun, welcoming atmosphere for all.
"We want to give anyone who hasn't been downtown recently a reason to visit, and to see the transformation that's taking place," said City Manager Augustus. "For centuries, the Worcester Common has been a gathering place for our community, let's continue that legacy and make downtown the vibrant hub our city deserves."
City Hall staffers are working hard to create more fun, lively events that will bring people downtown, and they are also looking to the public for inspiration. A crowdsourcing page has been set up on the City's website to gather ideas from the public for more community events. Event organizers interested in hosting their event on the Common should call the City Manager's Office at (508) 799-1175 or email specialevents@worcesterma.gov.
Throughout the year, visitors to Common events are encouraged to post their photos with the hashtag #Worcester100. The best photos will be featured on the City's social media platforms.
