CIVIC DAYS RETURN
City to enjoy block party, fireworks, quiz show and a rubber duck race
FITCHBURG » Several community partners gathered at City Hall last week to present sponsorship checks in support of Civic Days, the popular multiday extravaganza returning this weekend.
Representatives from IC Federal Credit Union, Leominster Credit Union, Rollstone Bank & Trust and Workers Credit Union came with oversized checks amounting to a combined total of $5,000 in donations. Fitchburg State University staff presented a $3,000 donation. Other sponsors including AIS, Great Wolf Lodge, Hollis Hills Farm, Tacos Tequilas jointly provided over $40,000 in funding.
“After a two-year hiatus, it means everything to have such tremendous support from businesses and organizations throughout the Greater Fitchburg area,” said Fitchburg Civic Days Committee co- Chair Natalia Oliver. “This year, Fitchburg Civic Days goes beyond the celebration of fireworks, it’s the celebration of camaraderie, spirit, and support. Fitchburg Civic Days, the City of Fitchburg and all of the rubber duckies, can’t thank our sponsors enough.”
The festivities will kick off on Saturday at 6 p.m. with the inaugural, four-part Fitchburg Historical Society community trivia night series, Fitchburg History Trivia Quiz Show at the Phoenix Building, 781 Main St.
The Block Party will kick off at 4:30 p.m. Sunday on the Upper Common and will feature food trucks, vendors and the Ray C. Memorial Car Show. The event also promises fun for the whole family including face painting, games, prizes, a sand pit, shows and ice cream.
Fireworks will close out the night at 10 p.m. off Rollstone Hill.
In addition, the Pro Wrestling Super Show will return with eight matches beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday in the ring set up on Academy Street between Workers Credit
Union and the post office. There will also be a meetand- greet with former WWE superstar and Hall of Famer Tony Atlas at the free show sponsored in part by a donation made in the honor of John Pagnotta.
Fourth of July will bring the annual parade from Summer Street to the Upper Common beginning at 10 a.m.
The Amazing Duck Race is slated for 3 to 6:30 p.m., on July 10, at Riverfront Park, the last of the Civic Days events.
Hosted by Travis Conden, Glenn Fossa and Shermin Whitman, the parade will be broadcast live on Fitchburg Access Television and will feature local elected officials, first responders, community organizations, sports leagues, local businesses and a variety of local and regional bands.
Leona Whetzel, president of Three Pyramids and the North Central Mass Minority Coalition board of directors, was announced as the grand marshal for this year’s parade.
Whetzel has lived in the city for over 40 years and is heavily involved in the community. In addition to her aforementioned roles, she is also the Vice President of Community Impact/chief Equity Officer for Making Opportunity Count, where she has been employed since 1988.
Whetzel is also a member of the Spanish American Center board of directors and North Central Area Department of Children and Families Advisory Board, Racial Justice Committee and the Worcester County Emergency Food and Shelter Program member, and was the 2014 recipient of the Salute to Woman of North Central Massachusetts, along many other community involvement roles.
Whetzel embodies the parades theme of “Fitchburg, Better Together.” She has a passion for helping people and has been involved in organizing, activism and social, racial and economic justice in her community for many years serving on several local boards and coalitions.
This year’s Fitchburg Civic Days Committee includes co- chairs Diane Burnette and Natalia Oliver, Raymond Burnette, Joe Ferguson, David Ginisi, Monique Guthrie, Nate Larose, Monique Guthrie and AJ Tourigny.
The committee will wear bright yellow shirts at all the events and they welcome people to stop them and say “hello” and offer ideas and feedback for next year and future events.
“As a new co- chair I enjoyed working with this committee and personally reaching out to businesses, large and small, for their support of this great event and am supported by a great team,” Oliver said. “I’m truly looking forward to bringing everyone into downtown Fitchburg to celebrate our diversity.”
Oliver said it’s important to the city to continue the annual tradition and that they are excited to bring it back.
“Fitchburg Civic Days dates back to 1960, established by Mayor George Bourque, and is one of the city’s longest traditions,” she said. “The event brings together not only the residents of Fitchburg, but those of North Central Massachusetts to celebrate Independence Day through a series of family- oriented cultural events. There is no greater time to celebrate on Main Street in downtown Fitchburg than right now.”