Marlborough Chamber expands heritage festivities

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Community Advocate
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By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer

Dancing a routine are members of Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano from the Immaculate Conception Spanish Community Dancers.
Dancing a routine are members of Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano from the Immaculate Conception Spanish Community Dancers.

Marlborough – The Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce expanded its 20th annual one-day Heritage Festival to become the first Heritage Weekend in the city’s downtown cultural district, rescheduled because of inclement weather to Oct. 23 to 25.

Families enjoyed a carnival Friday through Sunday on South Bolton Street between Granger Boulevard and Main Street. Cushing Amusements provided kiddie and thrill rides, games with prizes, and fun food.

Also new this year, an Oktoberfest was held Saturday atop the parking garage behind City Hall. Live bands entertained guests as they sampled German-style food prepared by the Epicurean Restaurant of Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School.

On Sunday, the traditional festivities began with the 11th annual Main Street Mile organized by the Highland City Striders. The one-mile route goes from the Prospector East Saloon on Lincoln Street to City Hall. Finishing first overall in 4:33 was Chris Kivier of Milford. Caitlyn Bintz of Marlborough was the first-place female finishing in 5:12. This year, 83 runners ranging in age from 3 to 61 participated.

Festivities continued on Main Street – as did intermittent drizzle – with live musical and dance entertainment, and 125 vendors and nonprofit organizations. The Marlborough Historical Society observed its 50th anniversary by displaying vintage photos. Children’s activities were offered by Marlborough Downtown Village.

Appetites were once again satisfied with the Chowder and Chili Challenge. Festival guests sampled offerings from nine eateries and voted for their favorites along with a panel of judges. Most votes for chowder went to Fish from the judges, and Kennedy’s Restaurant got the people’s choice. Deemed the best chili was Funky Murphy’s by both the judges and festival guests.

Named this year’s Heritage Hero was Pauline Smith for volunteering countless hours of community service. In addition to serving as public relations officer and first lieutenant with the Minuteman Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, Smith is active with the Marlborough Historical Society and the Marlborough-Hudson Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society.

Photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.

Alecia Maldenado, 9, and Ava Valentin, 8, ride the Sizzler at the carnival.
Alecia Maldenado, 9, and Ava Valentin, 8, ride the Sizzler at the carnival.
Signaling that the traditional festivities will soon begin Sunday as the conclusion of Heritage Weekend, Chris Kivier nears the finish line of the Main Street Mile and finishes first overall in 4:33.
Signaling that the traditional festivities will soon begin Sunday as the conclusion of Heritage Weekend, Chris Kivier nears the finish line of the Main Street Mile and finishes first overall in 4:33.
Pauline Smith (second from left) is congratulated as Heritage Hero by (l to r) Mayor Arthur Vigeant; Susanne Morreale Leeber, Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce president and CEO; and City Councilor Don Landers.
Pauline Smith (second from left) is congratulated as Heritage Hero by (l to r) Mayor Arthur Vigeant; Susanne Morreale Leeber, Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce president and CEO; and City Councilor Don Landers.
Gabriel Chaves, 12, feeds hay to an alpacas at the booth of Angel Hair Alpacas in North Grafton.
Gabriel Chaves, 12, feeds hay to an alpacas at the booth of Angel Hair Alpacas in North Grafton.
Laila Ginnetti, 6, returns to the carnival a second time because she likes the Bungee Jump.
Laila Ginnetti, 6, returns to the carnival a second time because she likes the Bungee Jump.
Marlborough Historical Society trustees Karen Widener and Chandra Lothian display vintage photos of Marlborough sites.
Marlborough Historical Society trustees Karen Widener and Chandra Lothian display vintage photos of Marlborough sites.
Alison LaRose, 4, begins stacking colorfully painted boxes, one of several children’s activities offered by Marlborough Downtown Village.
Alison LaRose, 4, begins stacking colorfully painted boxes, one of several children’s activities offered by Marlborough Downtown Village.
Beginning driver Liam Bitencourt, 2, takes a ride at the carnival.
Beginning driver Liam Bitencourt, 2, takes a ride at the carnival.
Riding the Alligator are a trio of cousins: Aaron MacKinnon, 5, Christopher MacKinnon, 2, and Vanessa Marcotte, 3.
Riding the Alligator are a trio of cousins: Aaron MacKinnon, 5, Christopher MacKinnon, 2, and Vanessa Marcotte, 3.
The Marlborough-based band Flashback entertains at the entrance of the Chowder and Chili Challenge.
The Marlborough-based band Flashback entertains at the entrance of the Chowder and Chili Challenge.
(l to r) Highland City Strider member Dan Milton encourages A.J. May, 3, and his mother Laura with Rebecca, eight months, in the stroller as they near the finish line of the Main Street Mile.
(l to r) Highland City Strider member Dan Milton encourages A.J. May, 3, and his mother Laura with Rebecca, eight months, in the stroller as they near the finish line of the Main Street Mile.

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