By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – This year’s Spirit of Shrewsbury (SOS) Fall Festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29, but it truly is a month-long celebration. The perennial fall staple continues to celebrate community.
“The Spirit of Shrewsbury” town expo promotes community spirit, encourages diverse age groups of the town to volunteer, educates people about the local small businesses, provides a safe, fun festival to celebrate the successes of outstanding residents through the Grand Marshal program and continues to have a serendipitous flair every year for entertainment,” stated Mieka Davis, festival volunteer.
The festivities kick into high gear with the Spirit of Shrewsbury Grand Marshal Dinner to be held Friday, Sept. 20, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Italian American Victory Club, 26 Dewey Road.
This year’s honoree is Shrewsbury historian Michael Perna. For ticket information, contact Maria Smith at MMSREAL@aol.com.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, “Let Your Spirit Prevent” community fundraiser will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. at Ski Ward, 1000 Main St. The Host Committee, chaired by State Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury), is raising funds to support the Shrewsbury Coalition for Addiction Prevention and Education. Tickets are $50 per person and $75 per couple. Contact Beth Casavant at bethcasavant@gmail.com for more information and tickets.
On Friday, Sept. 27, at the Shrewsbury Public Library, 609 Main St., the Toe Jam Puppet Band will perform from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Free and fun for all ages.
Saturday, Sept. 28, has a host of events planned.
The Shrewsbury Knights of Columbus 5K Road Race is scheduled for 9 a.m. starting at Dean Park. For more information, contact sosroadrace@yahoo.com. Prizes are awarded for top finishers. Sign up: https://runsignup.com/sosroadrace/signup
SOS President Frances Carvalho, is planning the second annual SOS Benefit Concert which takes place behind Sherwood Middle School, 28 Sherwood Ave., from 12 to 5 p.m. This year’s beneficiary is Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
The lineup includes local classic rock band Tension, vocalist John Nichols (recent Shrewsbury’s Got Talent winner), pop singer Scott Isbell, and the True North Band interspersed with kids’ games on the field and Zumba.
Festivities at Oak Middle School, 45 Oak St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. include: Town Expo and Craft Fair, food trucks, bouncy houses, petting zoo, and Kids Got Talent competition (Participants must pre-register at http://iswonline.org).
Shrewsbury Media Connection will broadcast live, interviewing various community groups, until 12 p.m.
Other activities will take place around town. Free vision and health screenings will be held from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Senior Center, 98 Maple Ave. The Taverns of Shrewsbury Tour will be led by the Shrewsbury Historical Society, 10 – 10:30 a.m. starting at 17 Church St. on the Town Common. Scarecrows on the Common will be on display, sponsored by the Shrewsbury Garden Club. And author Beth Luey will present a talk about two prominent Shrewsbury and Worcester families – The Wards and the Salisburys – at the General Artemas Ward House Museum, 786 Main St. at 12 p.m. followed by mini-house tours until 2 p.m.
On Sunday, Sept. 29, residents ages 90 and above are welcome to view the parade in front of Town Hall. Seniors will move into the Senior Center for the Senior Tribute Tea following the parade.
The parade begins (rain or shine) at 1 p.m.at Beal Early Childhood Center, 1 Maple Ave., and ends at Oak Middle School. Immediately following the parade in front of Oak Middle School, residents can sample pizza and vote for the town’s best.
For more information about this year’s Spirit of Shrewsbury, visit www.spiritofshrewsbury.org.