Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Di Clymer outlines Block Party logistics and volunteer needs as Concord 250th schedule firmed
Summary
At its April 8 meeting, the Concord 250th Art, Literature & Music Subcommittee confirmed street closures, performance plans, puppets, food trucks and volunteer needs for the Block Party and reviewed the season-long events calendar, with organizers aiming to complete activities by about July 4.
Di Clymer, chair of the Concord 250th Art, Literature & Music Subcommittee, called the April 8 meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. at the Concord Free Public Library and reported on planning for the town’s 250th Block Party, including street closures and programming.
Public Safety has authorized closures of Main Street from Monument Street to Keyes Road and Walden Street from Main to Hubbard to accommodate a performance stage opposite the Wright Tavern, organizers said. The lineup under development includes a DJ, one or two bands, poets, and a noon performance of the song "Our Concord Town" accompanied by Jaimee Joroff on harp. Food trucks will be located behind Vanderhoof’s, and organizers expect roughly six to seven booths on Main Street.
The Subcommittee noted three large puppets from Musketaquid Arts (Eagle, Owl and Red Tail Hawk) will take part in the parade and Block Party; each puppet requires three people to animate. Chair Di Clymer asked Subcommittee members and the public for volunteers to help animate the puppets and staff event locations.
"We’d like to complete all activities by about July 4," Chris Johnson said, urging organizations to submit funding proposals in time for planning and permitting.
Mimi Graney, participating via Zoom, said she needs about four to six volunteers to coordinate the food truck area and the mini stage on event day and suggested outreach to the National Charity League and Concord Academy to recruit helpers.
The Subcommittee also reviewed program updates and the broader events calendar for Concord’s 250th. The Concord Museum recently hosted Harvard history professor Jill Lepore and opened the Revolutionary Legacies exhibit; historian Rick Bell is scheduled to speak on April 13. The Concord Women’s Chorus presented Diane Taraz’s "Winning the Vote" program, and OARS’ Wild and Scenic film festival runs April 22–26 with outdoor screenings and a beer garden at Wright Tavern.
Library Special Collections will be featured in PBS programming about Thoreau, the library will host Thoreau events on May 7 and June 11, and a life-size bronze statue of Margaret Fuller is slated for installation on May 23. Other highlights on the draft 2026 calendar include the Quilts 250 book launch, Pianos on the Town, the Concord Chorus’ 80th anniversary concert on May 17, and West Concord Porchfest in June.
Tooey Rogers, representing the Cultural District, said some Mass Cultural Council funds remain available and that applications to draw from those funds are being accepted through May 1. Polly Meyer noted that Freedom’s Way offers small grants for Hidden Treasures Month events in May that could cover refreshments or other modest expenses.
The Subcommittee approved the March 11, 2026 minutes on a motion by Priscilla Stevens with a second from Andrea Roessler; the minutes passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:28 a.m. on a motion by Carole Wayland and seconded by Jane Fisher. The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Goodwin Forum at the Concord Free Public Library.
