Find out how you can help with the party!

Kick off party at the Brick House Friday night Aug 8th!

Turners Falls RiverCulture presents its second annual Turners Falls Block Party to bring the community out to enjoy the downtown and Avenue A with its historic buildings, welcoming businesses, access to recreation and local characters.

Performance Lineup
(times approximate and subject to change)     
3:00    PARADE
3:20    FABULOUS MAURICE        
4:00    FLETCHER & MANZI           
4:40    VAUDEVILLIANS                  
5:25    T.M.D.                                   
6:15    US                                          
7:00    GHOST QUARTET               
7:45    ANDREW JONES & SPIRITHOUSE       
9:00    AMITY FRONT
Kicking off the day will be a community parade at 3pm. starting at the Great Falls Discovery Center parking lot and ending at Peskeomskut Park. The Parade will include music, a roller disco, dog brigade, lawn chair brigade, fish Stick brigade, belly dancers and other surprises and the community is encouraged to show up and participate.
Downtown eateries including the Shady Glen, Jake's, Avenue A Café, Turners Falls Pizza House, 2^nd Street Bakery, the Rendezvous, and Ristorante DiPaolo will be open during their regular hours on the day of the party, and some will also be offering classic street fair food outside as well. Turners Falls Pizza House will sell slices, and the fire department will be back with hot dogs and hamburgers and hand cut fries.  Patty Cake Patty Cake will offer baked goods,  and the Rendezvous will grill up some paninis.  2^nd St Bakery will stick with classic fried dough and  Ristorante DiPaolo will have a little patio oasis with drinks, appetizers and a view of the bands. Plus much more, including Soul Food from Sweet Charlotte & Family, a vodka tasting at Jay K's, an outdoor café at Between the Uprights (formerly 2nd St. Sports Bar), soft pretzels, popcorn from the Elks, cotton candy and snow cones from Sheffield School Community Council.
For music, this year's line-up includes The Amity Front as headliners, Andrew Jones' Bahamian /roots groove, local favorite the Ghost Quartet, The Fabulous Maurice, Fletcher and Manzi, Touching Mrs. Dash and more. The main stage will once again be installed in front of Spinner Park, with sound provided by Klondike.
Montague Parks and Recreation, Linda Ackerman from Greenfield Savings Bank, and Laurie Wheeler are putting together games and art activities for kids of all ages. Back by popular demand will be an open fire hydrant. Also this year the Brick House will stage its annual Healthy Start event to coincide with the Block Party. Starting at 2pm, look for back-to-school information and giveaways inside and outside of Dr. Del Rabbe's office at the corner of 5^th and Avenue A, plus face painting and free haircuts for kids out on the street.

For the first time, Southworth Paper is planning to showcase the history of papermaking in Turners and offer a hands-on opportunity for party goers to make their own paper. John Anctil's Swift River Group, the company planning a film school at the Strathmore Mill, with have a presence to make its community introduction.  This is only the beginning of the party's offerings. Plus there is a chance to win a Mediterranean feast being raffled off by the Wagon Wheel to benefit RiverCulture's  programming.

Turners Falls Block Party Supporters
Massachusetts Cultural Council
Town of Montague
Western Massachusetts Electric Company
Fostering the Arts and Culture Partnership
Hillside Plastics
Greenfield Savings Bank

Equi's Store
Franklin Co. Solid Waste Dist.
Great Falls Discovery Center
Great Lighting
Hale Custom Signs
Klonkide Sound
Montague Democratic Committee
Montague Elks
Montague Community Television (MCTV)
Montague Parks + Recreation
Montague DPW
Northeast Foundation for Children
Patty Cake Patty Cake
Ristorante DiPaolo
Seth & Eva’s
2^nd Street Bakery
Shanahan’s Construction
Southworth Paper Company
Subway of Turners Falls
TFHS Alumni Assoc.
Turners Falls Pizza House
Wagon Wheel Restaurant
Winrock International

Special Thanks to Jen Audley for holding this party together. JD Keating + Don McAulay for music coordination. Klondike Sound for the stage + best sound in the East. Linda Ackerman, Laurie Wheeler + Jon Dobosz for kids’ activities. Bob Fritz for overall logistics. Eileen Dowd + Jack Nelson for the street map. Erin MacLean + Laura Herbert for TF pins. Janel Nockleby the Can Queen. Justine Regish parade leader. Patricia Pruitt for overall support + leading the pack (of dogs). The Brick House for invaluable support + kick off concert. Karen Stinchfield for team spirit and Healthy Start. Dan Laroche for troubleshooting.  Powertown Apts for electrical use + support. Kathy Webber for signs. Rendezvous for the after party! Ray Godin, Ray Zukowski, Tom Bergeron, Montague Selectboard for giving us the go. Rich Kuklewicz for  generously installing electric on Ave A! ...and to all who helped with setup, breakdown, event logistics, positive energy and community spirit!

For more information, contact:Lisa Davol, RiverCulture Coordinator, 413-230-9910 or riverculture@montague.net