As it has since 1991, all that is best about the town of Holliston will come together to Celebrate Holliston this year on Saturday, September 22nd, 2018, with a rain date of September 29th.
Prior to that day, Celebrate Holliston festivities will begin with an announcement of Celebrate Holliston “Citizens of the Year” on September 4th (check www.hollistonreporter.com for the winners), with a reception for all of Holliston’s Citizens of the Year, including this year, on Thursday, September 20th. (Location not available at press time.)
Willow Brook Farm (www.willowbrookholliston.com), at 1070 Washington St., Holliston, will also hold its 5th annual Celebrate Holliston Horse Show on Sunday, September 16th, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., prior to the townwide celebration. Although registration for the horse show closed on August 30, spectators are welcome, and food will be available.
The morning of the 22nd will begin with the parade, organized by Martha Ellis, Celebrate Holliston Parade Commissioner.
“She’s excited to be in charge of the parade, but, more importantly, to corral the town to participate,” says Celebrate Holliston organizer Neela Patel, who is chairing the event along with Heather Scaringella, Nicole Lessard, and Catie Ehret. Lessard and Catie, she says, are being “groomed” to chair the event next year.
Parade assembly begins from 8-8:45 a.m. at the Sam Placentino School parking lot (235 Woodland Street), with the parade stepping off at 9 a.m. and heading from Woodland to Central Street, ending at Goodwill Park on Green Street.
“We’ll have our usual trucks and various businesses, the politicians available to march with us, neighborhood floats and Holliston arts centers and the high school marching band, and lastly, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts,” says Patel, who adds that all parade participants are assigned a number, and a parade emcee generally announces them. Anyone and even neighborhoods are invited to create floats to participate in the event. If you would like to participate, email Martha at Martha.ellis3@gmail.com.
Over at the field at Goodwill Park, various local groups and businesses will man booths, and the following presentations will take place on the stage throughout the day:
9:45-10 a.m. Opening Remarks, presentation of Citizen of the Year
Knights of Columbus 14224 present community donations
Legislators make proclamations
10:30-11 a.m. HHS Chorus
11 a.m.-12 p.m . Animal Adventures show
12-12:15 Music/announcements
12:30 Dancing Arts Center
1 pm. Inspired Dance Academy
2 p.m. Performance (pending at press time)
2:30 p.m. All Things Holliston (Holliston Trivia!)
One of the annual features of Celebrate Holliston is its Chili Contest.
“We are encouraging people to sign up and register on our website (www.celebrateholliston.com) to make their own favorite chili and share it,” says Patel. Lisa Zais is organizing the event. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive a prize. Chili will be made at Mt. Hollis Lodge, 657 Washington St., Holliston, the morning of Celebrate Holliston. Cooks are invited to bring their ingredients (only veggies may be cut at home) and pots and pans as early as 5 a.m., bringing it to Goodwill park no later than 8:15 a.m.
“This is a fun activity for all the chefs, to assemble together and cook up their own brew and present it,” says Patel.
Children’s activities this year will be free of charge, with tickets only for the six different inflatables (two more than in previous years). The center tent will have arts and crafts.
Want to get your own booth? Celebrate Holliston is still accepting booth applications until September 9th. Rates are $65 for for-profit ventures; $50 for non-profits collecting donations; and $25 for nonprofits not collecting donations, (extra if electricity is needed). Visit the website www.celebrateholliston.com for a booth application.
“I love this activity,” says Patel, who has been a part of Celebrate Holliston since 2007 and is still involved this year despite a recent move. The experience, she says, is rewarding, and volunteers are still needed for 2-hour shifts.
“They can do it with their friends or do it independently,” says Patel. Simply use the Sign-Up Genius link on at www.celebrateholliston.com.
Issue Date:
September, 2018
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