By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – After weeks, indeed months of preparation, its finally time for the 22nd annual Spirit of Shrewsbury Fall Festival, which culminates over the weekend of Sat. Sept. 29 and Sun. Sept. 30. The festival closes out a month of family-friendly activities that truly embodies the “Spirit of Shrewsbury.”
The committee has been working very hard for the past several months to make this year’s festival one to remember and as such, has added new features. The festival’s chair, Frances Carvalho, has introduced a charitable component that will benefit three local organizations: St. Anne’s Human Services, Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and Worcester County Food Bank.
During the day on Saturday, Sept. 29, there will be the Town Expo and Craft Fair with hundreds of exhibitors under and around the giant tent located on the front lawn of the Oak Middle School, 45 Oak St. For the foodies there will be a plethora of food trucks and a Community Pasta dinner to benefit SYFS. (For more information, visit https://www.classy.org/event/syfs-community-pasta-dinner/e189295).
Expo attendees are also asked to consider bringing a non-perishable food item to the expo to be donated to the Worcester County Food Bank.
Also new this year is a Benefit Concert that will begin Saturday, Sept. 29, at 12 p.m., behind Sherwood Middle School, 28 Sherwood Ave. Five bands with connections to Shrewsbury – Whitney Doucet and Moonshine Band, Dark Horse, Nemes, The People’s Party and Pink Talking Fish – will be performing. The concert is expected to end by 7 p.m.
On Sunday, Sept. 29, events include the parade beginning at Beal School, 1 Maple Ave. at 1 p.m. and concluding at Oak Middle School. Immediately following the parade is the Senior Tribute Tea at the Shrewsbury Senior Center, 98 Maple Ave., and the “Pop Up” International Food Festival at Oak Middle School.
The committee also has “Spirit of Shrewsbury” swag for sale. There are coffee mugs, tote bags, car decals and sweatshirts available – perfect for birthday and holiday gifts, teachers, babysitters and more. Stop by their booth at the expo or email Sue Falzoi at [email protected].
The committee noted they wished to thank the following food and entertainment sponsors: Premium Sponsor – Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union and Silver Sponsors – Columbia Gas and R. H. White Construction Company.
For complete Spirit of Shrewsbury information, visit www.spiritofshrewsbury.org.
