Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Managing Editor CHICOPEE At a time when other communities have dropped annual festivals, a group in Chicopee is planning an event that Mayor Michael Bissonnette hopes will become the signature event for the city. On May 10, Bissonnette committee members for the new "Fest for All" gathered at City hall to announce the event that is centered around the annual municipal Fourth of July fireworks at Szot Park. Budgeted at $50,000 to $55,000, the mayor accepted on behalf of the committee the first corporate underwriting check for Fest for All, a $5,000 donation from the First American Insurance Agency. Bissonnette said he hopes that other businesses will join in the sponsorship effort. Gail Sherman, president of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, said that her office still gets inquiries some as far away as California about the former Kielbasa Festival. "The Chicopee community wants [a festival]," Sherman said. Bissonnette said that looking at the demise of other events, he speculated that part of the reasons might have been "their grasp exceeding their reach." Bissonnette acknowledged that the committee is starting small this year with the hopes of expanding the festival in following years. Robert Liswell heads the committee which includes Sherman, Jerry Darcy who was the co-chair of the former Taste of Chicopee, Stan Walczak, superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department and Jason Allen, president of the Rotary Club of Chicopee. Organizations that are also involved in the planning and support of the event are the Moose Family Center, The Knights of Columbus Councils #69 and #4044, the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club, Fire Fighters Local 1017 and the Chicopee Patrolman's Union. The event will begin on June 30 at Szot Park with a "Community Day," which will include a baseball game featuring the firefighters and police officers. There will be a "Best Desserts" competition that day and musical performances by The Checkmates, Moose and the Hightops, Goat Ropers, Decades by Design and the Prime Time Allstars. Food and entertainment will begin that morning and go until 9 p.m. On July 1, there will be a road race at 9 a.m. and children's activities at 11:30 a.m. featuring a children's luau show by the Hu Ke Lau performers. Additional children's entertainment will be provided by Milestone productions. There will be family games such as a sack race, balloon toss and a hula-hoop contest. That day's musical schedule features the Memories, Cottonwood, Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze and Brass Attack. The Fourth of July fireworks will be that evening. On the last day of the festival, there will be a "Best Polish Plat Contest," a senior citizens bocce tournament, and a special tribute concert featuring Donna Lee as Patsy Cline, Charlie Lask as Neil Diamond, Patrick Tobin as Frank Sinatra, Ray Guilmette as Elvis Presley. Over 20 restaurants will have food booths and there will be a beer and wine garden. The committee is seeking sponsors and vendors for the event. For more information call Liswell at 478-6867. *** Other events The Fest of All will be preceded by two other community events. Starting June 2, there will be four concerts on the steps of the former Chicopee Public Library in Chicopee Center sponsored by the Chicopee Parks and Recreations Department and the Fest of All committee. The concerts will be June 2 with the Check Mates; June 9 with Brass Attack; June 16 with Bratt Trio; and June 23 with Goat Ropers. The free concerts will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. On June 11 (rain date June 17) the Rotary Club of Chicopee will present its fifth annual Rotary Classic car Show at the BJ's parking lot at 650 Memorial drive. Sponsored by Chicopee Savings, the show will have car registration beginning at 9 a.m. Judging will begin at noon and trophies will be awarded at 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit various Rotary community service projects in Chicopee, Holyoke, East Longmeadow and Wilbraham. Advance vehicle registration until May 26 is $5. Gate registration is $10. Admission is free. For more information call Joe Topor at 594-4723, ext. 303. | ||||||
