Gardner MA Centennial

Excitement Building for Gardner MA Summer Centennial Event as More Details Released

More details came in about what is projected to be the biggest Gardner event in many years, the Summer Centennial Event taking place Saturday July 22, 2023 from noon to 6pm on the grounds of Mount Wachusett Community College. (Rain Date is Sunday, July 23rd.)

More Details on our Summer Centennial page, CLICK HERE.

The event is utilizing the walking track at Mount Wachusett Community College as a unique staging area. In the center will be a Kid Zone featuring 3 large inflatables for lots of fun, various activities such as Face Painting, a number of games including Corn Hole, and a Dunk Tank. In addition, kids will be able to explore a fire truck, ambulance, and a police car. This area is absolutely FREE!

Also on the track will be what is hoped to be a large array of different kinds of vendors.

A variety of Food Trucks are expected and it is hoped to have a large variety of food options.

The Centennial Committee is making it easy for people to get to the event area. Parking will be in the back lots with a shuttle service from the back lots to the field area. A designated handicapped parking area close to the field will be available as well.

Centennial Parade September 17, 2023

The 2 mile long Centennial Parade which starts at Elm Street and ends up at Waterford Street. Time listed is 1pm on Sunday September 17, 2023 with of course various times along the way of the route which we have pictured here. As many participants will be walking, it should last well over an hour, maybe longer.

The Centennial Parade Route

The parade route has meaning. It begins on Elm Street where Gardner’s Giant Chair is located. It passes by the corner of Pearl Street where the Gardner Museum is located, a repository of Gardner’s history from its earliest settlement in 1764, on Central Street near Monument Park where by that time a summer of excellent concerts will have been heard and many memories made, through Gardner’s iconic Downtown, waving at the historic Garbose building and by the renovated 42-52 Parker Street, past the beloved Gardner Ale House, and finishing on Waterford Street where Gardner’s 101^st year becomes special as the new Community Center is realized. It will be a wonderful parade.

Upcoming Events: Gardner’s Birthday June 24th, Chair City Summer Kickoff Music Event June 29th, Food Truck Festival July 8th, and the Summer Centennial Event July 22nd.

Well-Known Gardner MA Resident Edward Attar to be Grand Marshal of Centennial Parade

The Centennial Parade is scheduled for September 17, 2023 with a route from Elm Street to Waterford Street and the Grand Marshal will be none other than Ed Attar.

Centennial Committee member Theresa Thompson stated, “Thank you, Mr. Atter, for dedicating your life to your community. We are truly honored to have you serve as the Grand Marshal at our 100-year celebration parade. It is most fitting for sure.”

If you think you’ve heard the name before, it’s because you have. His military buddies would have known him as a 1st Lieutenant and Staff Finance Officer. In the banking community he is known for being a director of the Colonial Cooperative Bank for almost 50 years and for a 30 year tenure as its Board Chairman. A lover of the environment, Ed Atter started the local Millers River Chapter of Trout Unlimited to help ensure a cleaner Millers River. And lovers of great meats and home-grown apples remember Ed Atter from a family grocery store – Atter’s Market. Mr. Atter has also been a big supporter of youth in the area through Scouting and Sports Leagues.

For more on Gardner Centennial events, visit our Centennial page, CLICK HERE.

Event at Perry Auditorium Kicks Off Gardner MA Centennial Celebration on January 14, 2023

Various City of Gardner Centennial merchandise will be on sale throughout the year at various events. An announcement of some of the upcoming events will be forthcoming soon, according to Committee Chair Brad Heglin.

Visit our Centennial page for updates.

Just a few of the notable individuals in attendance at first event of 2023!

City Centennial Kickoff Event Social on Saturday January 14, 2023 from 1-3pm

The City Centennial Kickoff Event took place at Perry Auditorium at Gardner City Hall . It was a family-friendly social gathering with hot cocoa and snacks, coloring pages for kids and young adults, display of local historical items, opportunity to purchase or preview Centennial Celebration gear, and even enjoy Story time with Mayor Nicholson.

Listen to the meeting on any device. Click Play.

Gardner MA Charter Review Committee Scheduled Public Hearing February 23, 2023

The City Charter Review Committee scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 4:00pm in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. “to hear testimony with regard to potential amendments to the City Charter of the City of Gardner. Persons interested in this matter are encouraged to attend and offer testimony. View the complete Press Release, CLICK HERE.

According to the “Rules of the Hearing”, testimony from current City Elected Officials were taken first, followed by that of the general public who was to be limited to 3 minutes each, and each petitioner will be granted the opportunity to reply to questions and comments. Proposed specific amendments must be submitted in writing. Mayor Nicholson submitted some suggestions and they are in the packet for the 2-16-23 meeting, CLICK HERE. Also included are prior ideas from 7 years ago. Mayor Nicholson also provided additional info showing more of the previous work done on this topic. CLICK HERE.

The Committee met on February 16, 2023 to discuss how to proceed. During that meeting, they set the date for the public hearing we write about here.

Gardner Museum – Events March 1, 2023

Listen to the program of the season’s events on any device. CLICK PLAY.

The Gardner Museum opened again for the season on March 1, 2023. From March through August there is an exhibit entitled “Celebrating Gardner’s 100 Years as a City.” No reservation is needed. The exciting exhibit showcases memorable aspects of the City’s first 100 years – Bring the whole family! Highlighted are long-term, still existing businesses serving the Chair City today. Be among the first to see it.

For the entire season event brochure in pdf format, click here.

The Flashback Dance was well-attended including by Gardner’s Mayor, City Council President, State Representative, City Councilors, and other notables. More exciting events to come this year in Gardner….

Flashback Dance Well Attended in Gardner MA – A Big Hit!

The Flashback Dance featuring “DJ of the Stars Jimmy Jay” and the band “Kenny and the Night Riders” was held April 22, 2023 at Gardner City Hall. It was part of a series of events to be held this year in Gardner to celebrate Gardner’s 100 years as a City (January 1, 1923 to January 1, 2023) Gardner was founded way back in 1764, became a town in 1785, and well over 100 years after that, became a City, now with a population of over 21,500 people.

While “DJ of the Stars” Jimmy Jay opened the event, it wasn’t his first gig of the day as from 2-4pm, he took over the airwaves at Gardner’s WGAW and played some popular Rock n’ Roll of the 60’s, had live interviews with a few music stars of the time, and interacted with some listeners and famous Gardner residents of the past. Then, he prepared for his first dance in Gardner since sometime in the 1970s to kickoff the Flashback Dance at 6:30pm. (Doors were open at 6pm) Tickets were $10, but a few lucky WGAW listeners got in FREE with tickets they had won.

Gardner has a great summer of music ahead of it with the FREE Summer Concerts at Monument Park, and various groups being brought in by private clubs such as the P.A.C.C. For the Gardner Magazine Centennial event page, CLICK HERE.

Gardner MA to Hold City Hall Flashback Dance Featuring Jimmy Jay – A City Centennial Event

“A Rockin’ Trip back in time! The City of Gardner Centennial Committee held a City Hall Flashback Dance featuring former WGAW Dee Jay Jimmy Jay. Special Guests – Gardner’s own Kenny and the Night Riders! Save The Date – Saturday Night – April 22 at Gardner City Hall’s Perry Auditorium. Stay tuned for more details!”

The Greater Gardner Health and Wellness Fair was held Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 5 to 8pm at Perry Auditorium in Gardner City Hall. The event is being put on by the Gardner Community Action Team. It was originally scheduled earlier during the Storm of 2023. Now it has a total of 48 Vendors and Resources covering many topics in how to be healthy in mind, body, and spirit including Healthy eating, Exercise, Alternative Healing, Mental Health, & Health Care and Nursing Services, . Admission is FREE and there’s FREE raffles with prizes. Jump to complete list of 4 dozen vendors

Gardner MA Domestic Violence Task Force and Gardner Community Action Team Organizes Dog Park Event

The Gardner Domestic Violence Task Force had its first Annual Purple Paws Walk/Event. The event was held on April 29th, 2023, in Gardner MA, and all funds raised by this event went directly to support the Purple Paws Foster Project. “This pet fostering project was created to help support victims of domestic violence by assisting them and their pets, who would otherwise be left behind when the victim decides to leave their abuser. In many cases pets are the reason victims delay leaving their abusers, keeping themselves in often dangerous situations. Pets are like a family member, and it’s difficult to leave them behind. This carries the same emotion. The Purple Paws Foster Project enables those looking for refuge to leave and know their pets are safe. Voices of Truth has taken on this project as a 501c3 organization who services victims and survivors through support groups and referrals.”

Schedule of Events

Even though event was posted as rain or shine, it ended early due to bad weather. However, we understand that the activities stated in the schedule did occur, just earlier. The coordinator of the event was Veronika Patty. She can be reached at (978) 413-9782.

Photos of Yard Sales in Gardner MA on May 21, 2023.

Gardner MA Yard Salers Speak About the Chair City

Gardner Magazine made the rounds to some of the dozens of Yard Sales held in the Chair City on Sunday May 21, 2023 and we asked these wise individuals for their opinions on what’s going on in Gardner. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Sometimes when you want to know what people really think, just ask, and that’s exactly what we did. In general, people like the direction Gardner is pursuing. The subject of the roads kept coming up. However, when we told people that Gardner was putting more in to roads now than ever before, they preferred doing what Gardner is doing rather than seeing a big tax increase in order to do things faster. There were also other positives and other negatives and we thank all who participated. Your opinions matter.

As for the Yard Sales themselves, 87 homes participated according to the map and from what people told us, traffic was brisk and the customers were buying. Alphabetical List by street of 87 participants: JPG Image PDF.

Chair City of Faith – Poem by Werner Poegel

MAKE A DAY OF IT FOR THE BEST BIRTHDAY IN GARDNER EVER!

June 24, 2023

UPDATE: June 15, 2023 – Fireworks Parking Restrictions – Jump to Info.

UPDATE: June 16, 2023 – Complete Downtown Gardner Schedule including 21 piece Brass Band – Jump to Info Art at the Fireworks – Jump to Info

Gardner Birthday 2023 page, CLICK HERE.

Gardner MA Big Birthday Celebration on Saturday June 24, 2023 – COMPLETE DETAILS

The City of Gardner is celebrating its 238th birthday and its CENTENNIAL as a City. Events include: Small Business Saturday throughout the City and Downtown, Fireworks at Dusk, Concert in Monument Park at 6pm with Viva Las Elvis (Complete Monument Park Schedule), and a concert at the site of the Fireworks sponsored by the Lithuanian Club featuring Whiskey Johnson (Complete Schedule).

Gardner Square Two kindly provided us with the details of all of the goings on and we are sharing this entire schedule with you. CLICK HERE.

Downtown Gardner Celebrates

Where: Downtown Gardner on Parker, Pleasant, and Main Streets plus merchants on Central, West Lynde, and Connors Streets.

Event is FREE, Family Friendly, and Open to the Public. Everyone is welcome! And you can see how great Downtown Gardner looks…

Celebrating the 4^th of July, the 238^th year since Gardner was incorporated as a town, the City’s Centennial as a City.

Fireworks at Dusk

Event is FREE, Family Friendly, and Open to the Public. Everyone is welcome! Shuttle buses will be bringing people to and from parking at the Gardner Airport. (no parking on Route 2A)

The Gardner Fireworks Display begins at DUSK on Saturday June 24, 2023 at the Polish American Citizens Club (Rain Date is June 25^th at dusk)

20 GALA Artists Participated in Year-Long Gardner MA Painting Contest

Artwork to be sold at Fireworks this year…

In a partnership with the Kendall Pond Betterment Association begun last year, the GALA artists were asked to paint, photograph, and otherwise portray Kendall Pond by visiting the pond during the 4 seasons. This culminates in a display of the artwork during the Saturday June 24, 2023 festivities at the PACC. Prizes will go to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd places and two honorable mentions.

The 1^st place winner will be auctioned off to the public with the winning bid split between the artist and KPBA. All of the other artwork will be on sale with the proceeds split between the artists and KPBA. Art from a second contest will also be sold with the same split – in this case the artists were given a mystery box of organic materials with some paint and asked to create a picture.

To participate in the auction, place bids at the GALA booth during the fireworks festivities. To buy the art, come to the event. Photographs are just a small sampling of the art at the event. Click on any image for larger view.

Gardner MA City Hall will be rocking on June 29, 2023

The Mayor’s office at City Hall has announced that the Rock Band “7 Day Weekend” will be playing at the front steps of Gardner City Hall on Thursday June 29, 2023 from 7pm to 9:15pm. Admission is FREE. Food trucks will be on hand and beverages will be available. The band is known for playing anywhere from small intimate venues to shows with hundreds of people. This band is top notch: View a short video showcasing the band or listen to the AUDIO sampler right here on any device.

The band is making affordable merchandise available as well with band tee shirts an affordable $15. CLICK HERE. Get more info on the band from their exciting website, CLICK HERE.

Brandon Furtado is “The One” Opening at 6pm on June 29, 2023 at Gardner City Hall

Brandon Furtado hails from Somerset MA and has been writing music for almost a decade, creating both pop and acoustic tracks. We’ve captured some of his catchy hooks in this Furtado Sampler. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Creating both pop and acoustic tracks, Brandon’s first single “Jems” is available now and he’s gearing up for the release of his new EP “Songs About Jules”. Enjoy his diverse and energetic performance FREE at Gardner City Hall, June 29, 2023 from 6pm to 7pm followed by 7 Day Weekend which plays from 7pm to 9:15pm.

Food Trucks and Beverages will be available.

Gardner Magazine interviewed Brandon Fortado in a revealing interview. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Gardner Magazine Interviews Adam DeSousa of the Band “7 Day Weekend”

Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY

The Band is playing at City Hall on Thursday, June 29, 2023 beginning at 7pm. Admission is FREE. Food Trucks and beverages will be available. The music actually starts at 6pm with opener Brandon Furtado.

Almost every type of food you could imagine is represented giving this year’s Food Truck Festival the “Wow Factor”. Food Truck Festival page

Evolving Gardner MA Food Truck Festival has the “Wow Factor”

Wearing the “Wow Factor” crown is the Prince of the Food Truck Festival, Mayor’s Executive Aide Colin Smith.

Now in its 6^th year, the Gardner Food Truck Festival has evolved to be a source of great community food indulgence. For 8 hours, residents and visitors alike will be surrounded by flavor, feel good foods you could never get all in one place, except you can on this day, July 8, 2023 from noon until 8pm in Downtown Gardner. It’s “the Wow Factor” for those who love food and it’s designed to appeal to people of every age.

According to Gardner City Hall, “With over 20 trucks there is bound to be something for everyone in your family. Gardner Ale House will be on site to provide your favorite beverage. The trucks will be parked along the front of City Hall on Pleasant Street and will continue along City Hall Avenue.” There will be live entertainment by both the band “The Remedy” and A.K. Cody. A.K. Cody has a great video out of his song “Marry Me”, CLICK HERE.

A Wacky Interview on the Gardner MA Food Truck Festival with Colin Smith

Gardner Magazine interviewed the Mayor’s Executive Aide Colin Smith regarding the upcoming Gardner Food Truck Festival coming up Saturday July 8, 2023 from noon to 8pm. This year it has the “Wow Factor” WARNING: This interview might make you hungry. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

We spoke to Colin about the extensive selection of foods at this year’s Food Truck Festival, the beverages, the musical entertainment, the location of the trucks, the places to park, and more. See previous article regarding the Food Truck Festival, click here.

View the Complete Gardner Food Truck Festival 2023 page

Playing at the Gardner Food Truck Festival – Saturday, July 8, 2023 Article, CLICK HERE.

Gardner MA Scores Huge with “The Remedy” playing the Gardner Food Truck Festival on July 8, 2023.

Vendors are about to rush to get booked for the Gardner Food Truck Festival and Gardner Magazine now knows why. The City of Gardner has scored, “The Remedy” as the musical performance. Listen to a sampler of their music on any device. Click Play.

What is the remedy when you want the perfect band for the Gardner Food Truck Festival in 2023 during Gardner’s Centennial Celebration as a City? The City of Gardner has chosen “The Remedy” consisting of the uplifting duo of Rob Gale and Jody Thompson playing Country – Rock, a unique combination of Country, Blues, and Classic Rock sure to delight all the attendees of the Festival.

The band’s duo has sung with other bands and created “The Remedy” during Covid with the theme “Music Cures All”. So for those desiring a combination of a “feel – good” music time and some of the best food on the planet, make a date for the Gardner Food Truck Festival. For vendors not signed up yet, better book soon while you still can. This has the “Wow Factor.”