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5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester – July 12

By TWIW Staff | July 12, 2021
Last Updated: July 11, 2021

In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.

These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.

In today’s edition – Monday, July 12  – it’s the last week of the Big Dipper Ice Cream festival, there’s two days of free COVID-19 testing this week, a new downtown bar opens this weekend, the Hanover Theatre kicks off 12 days of giveaways today and the Worcester Firefighters 6K is scheduled for October.

 

Big Dipper Virtual Ice Cream Festival Ends Thursday

The 2021 Big Dipper Ice Cream Festival was held virtually this year and the month-long event is wrapping up this week.

The Big Dipper ends on Thursday, July 15 but there’s still time to participate.

All proceeds from the Big Dipper go to children’s mental health services provided by the Seven Hills Foundation. For every $20 donated, you will get a $5 coupon to use at one of the 11 local ice cream sponsors.

The coupon can be used now through Labor Day — Sept. 6, 2021. To donate and get your coupon, click here.

July 12, 2021 big dipper

 

Free COVID-19 Testing this Week in Worcester

UMass Memorial Health Care continues to offer free COVID-19 testing during the month of July as part of the state’s Stop the Spread campaign.

Free, walk-up testing is done at the Mercantile Center, 100 Front St.

There are two days this week when testing will be offered:

  • Monday, July 12, 11 AM to 3 PM
  • Thursday, July 15, 9 AM to 12 PM

 

Off the Rails Opens Downtown this Weekend

Country-themed restaurant and bar Off the Rails will open its doors on Saturday, July 17 at 11:30 AM.

Opening day will include special two-set performance by country music star Timmy Brown at 6 PM and 9 PM.

Off the Rails will feature southern cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Rick Araujo and complimented by a full bar with 20 tap lines with locally sourced craft beers and cocktails showcasing a southern flair. Live music by local and nationally acclaimed artists will be performed daily inside the Nashville style venue that includes guitars and authentic country music memorabilia throughout.   Whiskey barrels and reclaimed wood highlight the interior design with a focus on southern hospitality.

A music venue and beer garden is set to open at Off the Rails this fall. The restaurant is owned by Cliff Rucker with Chris Besaw as the managing partner.

 

Hanover Theatre Kicks Off 12 Days of Giveaways

The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory is hosting a “winter in July” social media giveaway starting today — July 12 — until July 25.

The giveaway, S’winter Summerland, will showcase upcoming shows and engage social media followers.

Each day, the prize package will be announced on Hanover Theatre’s social media pages. The posts will direct followers to their Instagram page.

Winners will be announced and notified the day after the original post.

 

Worcester Fire Department 6K Scheduled for October

The Worcester Fire Department 6K 2021 road race is officially scheduled for October 24.

The event — which has been held for more than 20 years — was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Proceeds from the race go to NEADS, Onsite Academy, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Genesis Club.

To register for the race, click here.

 

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