Members of the Velvet Moon Gypsies perform a belly dance routine.
Marlborough – Like last year, it rained during much of the 18th annual Marlborough Heritage Festival, presented Oct. 6 downtown by the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce. Otherwise, there were lots of enhancements to this year's festivities with a focus on cultural displays, international entertainment and ethic delicacies. Favorite returning activities included the Main Street Mile and the Chowder & Chili Challenge. Named Heritage Hero was Clifford Avey Jr.
Photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.
Seated on the steps of City Hall, Debby Foley of the Marlborough Historical Society reads a story to Cloe Zinzola, 6, and her brother, Lincoln, 4.
Clifford Avey Jr. (center) receives the Heritage Hero Award from Susanne Morreale Leeber, president and CEO of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Mayor Arthur Vigeant. Avey served as city treasurer for 22 years. For 11 years, he was a manager at St. Mary's Credit Union, where he's currently a director. Avey is a board member of Old Marlborough and a member of the Marlborough Historical Society.
Sampling for the Chowder & Chili Challenge are two of the seven judges: Martin Levins, the 2012 board chair of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Alyssa Tully, assistant principal at Jaworek Elementary School. Winners of the judges” votes were Embassy Suites Hotel, for chowder, and Buffet Way Catering for chili. Winners of the popular votes from festival guests were Kennedy's Restaurant for chowder, and Firefly's for chili.
Jim McKenna, president of the Highland City Striders (HCS), and Susanne Morreale Leeber, president and CEO of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, present trophies to Michael Clements of Marlborough for finishing first overall in 4:33 in the Main Street Mile. Clements also placed first overall last year. First-place female was Sudbury native Lauren Leslie visiting from Warwick R.I., who finished in 5:55. This year, 127 runners ranging in age from 4 to 69 participated. The race is organized by HCS.
(l to r) Lighting a peace pipe during the opening ceremony are (l to r) Chief Roland Jerome, Noel Rainville and Mike Scelzi of the United Native American Cultural Center in Devens with Mayor Arthur Vigeant.