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 – Thursday, June 24 – Saturday is Mud Day at the EcoTarium, see where Massachusetts spends federal aid, a ribbon cutting for the new Hadwen Park Trail is on June 30, QCC joins the COVID-19 College Vaccination Challenge and Music Worcester announces its first summer concert series.
Saturday is Mud Day at the EcoTarium
The EcoTarium, a science and nature museum at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, hosts Mud Day on Saturday, June 26.
Mud Day is from 10 AM to 4:30 PM and includes several scheduled events.
Ongoing activities throughout the day include making mud pies and mud creature sculptures, mud painting, a mud toss game and a barefoot sensory walk.
The event is free with museum admission. For more information or tickets visit the EcoTarium website.
See Where Massachusetts Spends Federal Aid
The Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance announced a new, interactive, online tool that displays a breakdown by municipality of the $3.4 billion in direct federal aid awarded to local governments across Massachusetts by the American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA].
The website also contains detailed information on funding allocations and the distribution process, as well as general information on the usage of these funds.
Governor Charlie Baker proposed a plan last week to invest $2.8 billion of the state’s
Hadwen Park Trail Ribbon Cutting
The City of Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks holds a ribbon cutting at 19 Heard Street to celebrate improvements to the Hadwen Park Boardwalk and Trail System on Wednesday, June 30 at 3 PM.
The first phase included the construction of a fully-accessible boardwalk at Curtis Pond, and is part of the city’s commitment to renovating a section of the Tetasset Hills Trail network that encompasses Hadwen Park.
This improvement will enhance the trail network and provide more opportunities for physical activity, interaction with nature and water access.
QCC Joins the COVID-19 College Vaccination Challenge
Quinsigamond Community College [QCC] has joined President Biden’s COVID-19 College Vaccination Challenge. The challenge asked colleges across the country to commit to engage their college communities and encourage everyone to get vaccinated.
A significant portion of the older population received vaccination, but rates decrease among younger people. Biden’s initiative hopes to leverage the opportunity that colleges to reach the younger populations less likely vaccinated.
QCC has taken a visible community outreach role during COVID-19 vaccination. The college’s previous outreach includes developing a COVID-19 webpage with resources in multiple languages and hosting two vaccine clinics on its campus for its faculty, staff and its students and students from Assumption University, Anna Maria College and Becker College.
Music Worcester Announces its First Summer Series
Music Worcester announced its first summer series of concerts, called Music @ MW, on Wednesday, June 23.
Thursday, July 8 at 6pm
Brubeck Brothers Quartet
Riley-Pappas Pavilion, Auburn, MA
Free, open to the public
Thursday, July 22 at 6pm
Hot Sardines
Indian Ranch, Webster, MA
$35+, tickets required, limited distanced seating available
Thursday, July 25 at 6pm
Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar
The Hanover Theatre, Worcester, MA
$25 students; $35+ adults, tickets required, limited distanced seating available
The concerts at Indian Ranch and The Hanover Theatre will feature seating sections where distanced “pods” of seats will be available for patrons who prefer or need such an option, with general admission seating available elsewhere at both venues.