Don’t Miss the First-Ever Blackstone Summer Celebration
Blackstone Summer Celebration Debuts August 24 at Roosevelt Park
The first-ever Blackstone Summer Celebration is set for Sunday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roosevelt Park. This exciting event promises a day full of food, music, activities, and fun for all ages—a chance for residents to come together, enjoy the summer, and celebrate the spirit of our town.
A Celebration Built by the Community
Board of Selectman Chair Daniel Keefe shared that the idea for the Blackstone Summer Celebration comes from Assistant Town Administrator Lauren Taylor, who was inspired by a similar event in North Attleboro. She’s been envisioning a way to bring residents, town departments, and local businesses together for a day of connection and fun. Over the past few weeks, Taylor mentioned she worked closely with Town Clerk Tara Sullivan, Matt Ryan, Colleen Strapponi, and reached out to the Fire and Police Departments, the new Senior Center Director Tiziana Milano, and Parks and Recreation, to pull everything together.
At a recent Board of Selectman meeting, Taylor shared her excitement about seeing this vision come to life: this is “really just a day for the community to come out, enjoy the hopefully nice weather, and have some fun.” She reflected on how town departments have worked together on past events, like the Halloween celebration, which has grown to attract over 400 participants.
“This isn’t one person doing this,” Taylor said. “It’s everyone coming together—town departments, local businesses, and residents—to make something amazing happen.” Her comments underscore how events like this are a testament to the power of community support and collaboration in small towns like ours.
Local businesses and groups are welcome to participate. Whether it’s setting up a table, handing out flyers or giveaways, or simply sharing information about their services, Taylor encourages anyone interested to get involved.
What to Expect at the Blackstone Summer Celebration
Residents attending the Blackstone Summer Celebration can look forward to:
- Touch-a-Truck with vehicles from local departments
- BBQ from Goodstuff Smokehouse
- Ice cream from Black Sheep Creamery
- Other local food trucks are invited to serve and sell a variety of treats
- Live music by The Avery Markle Band
- Games and activities for all ages
- Dunk tank for some friendly splashing fun
- Prizes and giveaways throughout the day
- Plus a few surprises to keep things exciting
It’s a family-friendly event designed to bring neighbors together, encourage community participation, and celebrate local talent.
Who’s Getting Dunked?
One of the most talked-about attractions will be the dunk tank, sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Council on Aging. Here’s who you’ll have the chance to dunk:
- 10 a.m. – Kevin Roy, Fire Chief
- 11 a.m. – Chad Lovett, Town Administrator
- 12 noon – Dan Keefe, Board of Selectman Chair
- 1 p.m. – Kim Coffey, Senior Center Nutrition & Event Coordinator
The cost is $2 for 1 ball or $5 for 3 balls. It’s a great chance to test your aim and give a few familiar faces a refreshing splash—all while supporting a good cause.
Building Toward the Country’s 250th Anniversary
Keefe also shared that this will be the first year for the Blackstone Summer Celebration, and that it’s a great opportunity to build momentum for next year’s 250th anniversary festivities. He hopes the community spirit generated this August will carry forward into 2026’s historic milestone for the country.
Why This Matters
Small towns like Blackstone thrive when residents, businesses, and town departments collaborate. Events like this are more than just fun—they’re a demonstration of the community spirit that makes our town unique. By coming together for a day of celebration, residents show support for local groups, businesses, and municipal departments, building connections that last long after the event ends.
At the time of publishing, we reached out to Town Administrator Chad Lovett and Assistant Town Administrator Lauren Taylor via email for additional details but had not received a response. Even so, the enthusiasm and collaboration behind this first-year event are already clear, and it promises to be a memorable day for everyone.
Join the Celebration
Whether you’re attending to enjoy the food, music, and activities, or you’re a local business or organization hoping to participate, the Blackstone Summer Celebration is open to all who want to be part of this community-focused day. It’s a chance to experience the best of Blackstone in one place, enjoy the summer, and celebrate what makes our town special.
Are you a local business or community organization?
At Small Town Post, we’re dedicated to highlighting the people, places, and events that make our community extraordinary. The Blackstone Summer Celebration is exactly the kind of hometown story we love to share—a story of collaboration, pride, and joy.
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