Holden Days celebrates 45 years Saturday

• Posted by Holden News Aug 22 - Filed in News - #Holden  #Holden Days  - 664 views

  

  

  HOLDEN — Holden Days returns Saturday for its 45th year, bringing live music, vendors, children's activities, a farmers market and other attractions to Main Street.

  The annual community celebration runs from 9 to 3 today along Main Street. The town recently posted the event flyer on its website.

  Entertainment on the main stage includes Holdin' Back the 60s from 9:30 to 11:30 and Decades by Dezyne from noon to 2:30. Hank Stolz of Radio Worcester will serve as emcee.

  The bandstand schedule includes the Walnut Street Music Academy All Stars from 9 to 10 and Check It Twice from 10:30 to 2:30.

  Kids' Court at the Bubar Field will feature Bubble Party Pros from 10 to noon, including a Bubble Party at 11; a pie-eating contest at noon; and The Magic of Steve Charette at 1:30. Other activities include gymnastics performances, demonstrations, a dunk tank, martial arts, a Pack 46 Snack Shack, an antique car exhibit, a roaming railroad and other family activities.

  The Holden Farmers Market will also return for the event. Main Street activities include informational booths, a scratch-ticket raffle drawing, family giveaways, balloon animals, magic, a first aid station and a crafts and flea market at the Holden Senior Center.

  Additional activities are planned along Highland Street, including a book cellar at Gale Free Library from 9 to 12:30; a cookout, crafts, games and a corner shop at First Congregational Church; and carnival games, lawn games, crafts and refreshments at First Baptist Church. Maggie the Balloon Twister is scheduled from 10:30 to 1:30 at the Family Farm Educational Center.

  Food vendors will be set up in a food court featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Damon House, along with offerings from Bay State Savings Bank, Charcuterie Woo, Cordials Catering and Beverages, Holden Grange, Specialty Sandwich Company, Sweets & Java, Table Twelve Kitchen and Bar and Wong Dynasty.

  A craft corner and art lot will be located on Main Street in front of the bandstand, with local crafters, artists, a local author and 3D-print vendors participating. Dozens of businesses, community organizations and other vendors are also scheduled to take part in the marketplace at the Damon House.

  A free trolley will run continuously from 9:30 to 3, stopping at Pholicious, Craft Corner, Clock Tower, Oriol Health Care, Bascom Parkway/Highland Street and St. Francis Church/Phillips Road.

  Free W.R.T.A. shuttle buses will also operate from 9 to 4. Visitors may park at Wachusett Regional High School for continuous service between the school and Town Hall, or at Dawson School for service between the school and Holden Dental Arts.

  

  Drivers should expect traffic changes during the event. Eastbound Route 122A/Main Street traffic headed toward Route 31 North will be detoured using Lovell Road and Jamieson Road. Other detours will be in place for westbound Main Street traffic.

  Portable restrooms will be available behind the Damon House, inside the Holden Senior Center and to the left of the bandstand.