Fest of All to rock Szot Park June 23 - 26

Date: 6/22/2011

June 22, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE — Music, food and family activities return to Szot Park from June 23 to 26 with the 2011 edition of Fest of All.

Robert Liswell, president of the non-profit group that presents what has been called "Chicopee's block party," told Reminder Publications that more baseball games have been added to the schedule this year, the five-mile road race and five-kilometer walk have returned to the Fest of All offerings and a Tae Kwon Do demonstration has been added.

The Fest of All remains a free event, with a number of local restaurants offering food and drink. There will also be a beer and wine garden open each day. The festival will include the city's July Fourth fireworks, although presented a bit prematurely.

"I am very pleased to announce this year's sixth annual Fest of All celebration," Mayor Michael Bissonnette stated. "The Fest of All is Chicopee's signature event and a great Fourth of July celebration where families and friends can get together and share a fun, local and affordable event. I would also like to thank all the volunteers, sponsors and vendors that have put in countless hours, effort and work in making our celebration complete."

James Lagodich, the marketing director for First American Insurance Agency, presented a donation of $5,000 last week to help underwrite the festival. Liswell said sponsorship opportunities are still available and interested parties should contact Gail Sherman at 594-2101 or Ron Percy at 250-4223.

On June 23, the Fest of All will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. There will be a Tri County League baseball game at 6 p.m.; the WHMP "Thirsty Thursday Social" at 6 p.m. and performances from Orange Crush from 4 to 6 p.m. and Derek and the Fun Bags from 6 to 9 p.m.

On June 24, the hours of operation are 4 to 9 p.m., with a baseball game at 6 p.m., featuring the Police Department challenging the Fire Department and performances by Thick as Thieves from 4 to 6 p.m. and From Back in Black and American Led Zeppelin from 6 to 9 p.m.

On June 25, the Fest of All will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will feature the road race and walk at 10 a.m. (registration begins at 8 a.m.); the junior karaoke finals at 1 p.m.; the Tae Kwon Do demonstration at 3 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Musical performances that day include the All Star Dyn-o-Myte Disco review from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kyle Ray from 2 to 2:30 p.m., Prime Time Players from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and Brass Attack from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

The final day of the festival, June 26, will open at 11 a.m. and will include a poker run at 10 a.m.; a car show at 11 a.m.; baseball games starting at 11 a.m.; a martial arts exhibition at noon; and a vintage baseball game at 2 p.m. Brian Chicoine and the Truck Stop Troubadours with special guests The Varlets will perform from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will be followed by Badmagick and Nicklback from 2 to 5 p.m. and Aquanett from 5 to 8 p.m.

For additional scheduling information, visit the organization's Web site located at www.festofall.com .