There’s always a lot happening in the Blackstone Valley. Below is a list of upcoming events and things to know in the region.
BHC brings adaptive kayaking series to Wallum Lake
Douglas – Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is partnering with All Out Adventures to bring a series of four free, adaptive kayaking events to Wallum Lake at Douglas State Forest, Douglas, Mass., on Tuesday, Aug. 27, Tuesday, Sept. 10, Saturday, Sept. 14 and Tuesday, Sept. 17.
With funding provided by a grant BHC received from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region, this program expands BHC’s recreational programming to those with disabilities. Earlier this year, BHC and All Out Adventures presented a series of five adaptive cycling events in May along the Blackstone River Bikeway in Worcester and Blackstone, MA.
The adaptive kayaking program is open to people with disabilities with a guest. Through the use of tandem kayaks, paddle adaptations, and outriggers, All Out Adventures makes kayaking accessible to people of all levels of ability. Adventures are available at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., by advance registration only. Space is limited. Directions and details will be sent upon registration. To register, visit AllOutAdventures.org or call 413-584-2052.
Twilight on the Blackstone
Woonsocket – The Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative has announced its the third annual dinner on the bridge event, “Twilight on the Blackstone.” This one of kind night of fun, food, and music will take place on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Court Street, Woonsocket, a historic landmark venue set 100 feet above the Blackstone River. This event is the yearly fundraiser for DWC, a non-profit board of Main Street Woonsocket enthusiasts dedicated to the revitalization and promotion of the downtown area. This year’s dinner will take place Saturday, Aug. 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, Aug. 25.
A multi-course dinner featuring local chefs and businesses will be served. Table 12, a Millrace Kitchen Member, will start things off with a duck, scallop and kielbasa appetizer trio. Locally baked breads will be offered by Dupras Bakery. The salad course featuring locally sourced greens will be provided by the Honey Shop. Ciro’s Tavern will be back again this year with seafood chowder, and Missy’s Family Restaurant will serve pasta primavera with a lobster base sauce and veggies.The meat course will be a porchetta provided by another Millrace Kitchen Member, Cuff’s Counter. A dessert trio of cupcakes, brownies and cheesecakes by Millrace Kitchen Member Iron Foods will finish the meal.
Tickets are now available at www.dwc02895.org. Individual tickets are $75 per person, couples $140, or a table of 10 for $650. Event sponsorships are also available by on the event page of the website. DWC is a 501c3 organization and tax advantages may apply for the purchase of tickets and sponsorships. More information can also be found on the Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative Facebook page, www.facebook.com/downtown02895.
Developmental Disabilities Community Forum
Cumberland – The Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals will hold its next Developmental Disabilities Community Forum on Tuesday, July 30 at the Cumberland Public Library.
The forum, scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m., will provide an opportunity for individuals and families, providers and advocates, and anyone else who is interested to meet leaders from BHDDH and hear updates on a variety of topics, policies and initiatives.
This is the latest in a series of forums that are being held on a quarterly basis to share information, answer questions and seek feedback on services for people with developmental disabilities.
The library is located at 1464 Diamond Hill Road, in Cumberland.
Autumnfest Parade participants wanted
Woonsocket – The 41st Autumnfest is on track to be a tremendous celebration. One of the highlights of Autumnfest is the 10 – Division Parade. Now is the time to secure your school, group or organization placement in this year’s parade.
Autumnfest Parade Coordinator Nancy Phillips says that spaces are filling up fast, but there is still time for your school, band or organization – including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. – to get a float into the parade. Contact Phillips for all the details on how to be in the Autumnfest parade at 401-765-4327 or parade@autumnfest.org
The Autumnfest Parade is viewed by thousands that turn out each year to watch. Plus, both Woonsocket radio stations broadcast the parade live. The parade is also streamed on the internet live and the parade is also videotaped and broadcast on Cable TV.
Here is your chance to get your school, group or organization a lot of amazing recognition by being part of the 41st Autumnfest Celebration.
BHC presents 5th Annual GO!
Whitinsville – Go explore historic mill villages, go paddle under the full moon, go to an apple festival, and go explore the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor! With more than 100 events to choose from, Blackstone Heritage Corridor presents its 5th annual GO! program this September, highlighting the Blackstone River Valley as a destination for family fun and exploration. This year’s GO! offers guided walks and paddles, bike and museum tours, festivals and many more family-friendly events.
A special GO! kickoff event takes place Thursday, Aug. 29 at the Museum of Work & Culture at 42 S. Main St.in Woonsocket, unveiling a gallery show featuring the work of 10 volunteers from the BHC Photography Ambassadors. A free reception is being held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. where the museum’s gallery will debut 80 extraordinary photos highlighting the historic, natural, cultural and recreational resources within the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.The show will remain on display through Sept. 30, with free admission to the gallery during museum hours. Photos will be available for sale with proceeds benefiting the BRVNC.
Celebration is in the air this fall with a handful of festivals planned throughout the valley including the 20th annual Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival, in Pawtucket Sept. 7; the French Heritage Festival in Woonsocket Sept. 7; the 21st annual Pet Rock Fest in Grafton, Mass. Sept. 8; an Apple Festival at Douglas Orchard & Farm, Douglas, Mass. Sept. 14; a Green Living Expo in Whitinsville, Mass. Sept. 14; PawSox Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival in Pawtucket Sept. 14; stART on the Street Arts Festival in Worcester, Mass. Sept. 15; the 13th annual Great Pumpkin Festival in North Smithfield Sept. 21; and Daniels Farmstead’s Apple Fest in Blackstone, Mass. Sept. 22.
A special “High Tea and Hats” event will celebrate Margo Bik’s famous hat collection on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center in Whitinsville. Guests are encouraged to wear fancy hats and bring a favorite tea cup, though not required. RSVP at HighTeaAndHats.Eventbrite.com. A number of special events will explore this topic of geology including Glacial Geology Hikes at Purgatory Chasm in Sutton Sept. 4, 11 and 18; a hike at Blackstone Gorge in Blackstone Sept. 5; a Native American Ceremonial Landscape Tour in Upton Sept. 7; a Geologic History of the Blackstone tour in Lincoln Sept. 17; Purgatory Chasm Hikes in Sutton Sept. 7, 14 and 21; and Stone Walls of New England – a talk by author Robert Thorson in Worcester Sept. 28.
For those intrigued by local history, there are numerous chances to explore, including a new Canal Walk Series presented by Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. The weekly tour will depart from various locations to highlight different parts of the canal’s history and the impact it had in different communities. Other new events that the highlight history of the Blackstone Valley include a Waters Farm interpretive tour in Sutton Sept. 8; Quinsigamond Village Walking Tour in Worcester Sept. 15; Precious Blood Cemetery Walk in Woonsocket Sept. 15; and Explore the Mammoth Mill Ruins in Blackstone.
Many more events in the upcoming months will include bike rides, nature exploration and family-friendly activities.
For a full listing of Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s GO! 2019 program, visit BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org. Printed 48-page guide books will be available at BHC’s visitor centers, at one of the many visitor information kiosks throughout the National Heritage Corridor, or at BHC’s office at 670 Linwood Ave. in Whitinsville. Follow Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. on Facebook for news and updates on GO! and more.
