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Date: 8/23/2018
CHICOPEE – Although much of the attention will be on the first opening weekend of MGM Springfield, officials in Chicopee are looking to host crowds at the fourth annual Downtown Get Down on Aug. 24 and 25.
The free event will be in downtown and will feature a number of activities, food vendors, and music, according to Jack Benjamin, assistant planner, and one of the main organizers for the event.
Last year between 14,000 and 15,000 people attended, Benjamin told Reminder Publishing.
“I think we’ll see an increase this year, “ he said. “ We have more sponsorship and more budget.”
The event will open on Aug. 24 at noon and run until 10 p.m. On Aug. 25 it will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Music plays a big role in the event and this year blues artist Cole Morson will be appearing at 10 a.m. on Aug. 24; followed by Beer Hall Boys at 1:30 p.m.; rocker Livio Gravini at 3 p.m.; The Radiators at 5 p.m. and Back in Black at 7:30 p.m.
On Aug. 25 the lineup includes Kyle Langlois at 10 a.m.; jam band Feel Good Drift at 1:30 p.m.; Brass Attack at 4 p.m. and regional favorites Trailer Trash at 7 p.m.
There will be 20 food vendors including seven new vendors – All Things Maple, Avanti Cakes, Good Works Coffee, Gotta Q BBQ, Hazel’s Kitchen, Miguel O’ Leary and Szabo’s Seafood. The other vendors include Bernat’s Polish Deli, Chicopee Flea, Chicopee Fresh, Collegian Court, Fairview Deli, Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen, Sabor Latino, Sidecar Bakery, SNKC Food Vending.
Among the many activities will be another attempt to set the world’s record for breaking concrete blocks by Belchertown resident Ken Goodrich, who had appeared in 2015 at the event setting a world’s record at that time. Goodrich will appear on both days.
Also appearing on Aug. 24 will be Trevor the Games Man; a live art display with Marijo Bineault; an appearance by Rock 102 star John O’Brien; a roaming railroad; the Fantastic Fritz balloon and magic show; face painting by the Chicopee Comp cheerleaders; and Studio L Fashion Runway.
On Aug. 25, the Getdown 5K road race and walk will take place. The second annual road race will raise funds for Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen. Runners will be charged $30, while walkers will pay $25. There will be cash prizes for the three best runners.
Later in the day there will be dance performances; a live art display by Bozena Chmielewska; a Tang Soo Doo martial arts demonstration; Boomer the Thunderbirds mascot and Avanti Cakes cupcake and cookie decorating.