We’ve developed a tradition of using this late-August edition of the Gateway Cities Journal to take stock of summer in the city. Last year, we noted the spirit of perseverance, as most communities continued to host their long-running ethnic festivals, despite the immigration raids and a growing climate of fear. While immigration policy has improved little over the past year, Gateway Cities remain resilient above all. And we are perhaps beginning to see the horizon come back into view—one where tolerance is again a virtue and diversity is recognized for the mutual benefits it brings to all of us.
The Jazz and Roots Festival struck this chord, once again bringing “sax appeal and a whole lot more” to downtown Springfield. Upriver, Holyoke hosted another Fiestas Patronales. This fifth edition was dedicated to Naranjito, the Puerto Rican town that brought volleyball from Holyoke to the island. Thousands of people flocked to Campanelli Stadium in Brockton to celebrate the 32nd annual Cape Verdean Day Festival. And thousands more descended on downtown Lowell for the 39th Annual Folk Festival. But once again, New Bedford took the crown with four days of celebration for the 110th annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.
These traditional street festivals were a highlight, but it was Fútbol that made this summer truly special. The World Cup’s arrival provided another vivid demonstration of community in Gateway Cities across the Commonwealth. In places where residents trace their roots to every corner of the globe, international soccer offered another occasion to bring people into public spaces, celebrate cultural identity, and introduce neighbors to one another.
Fiesta Fútbol transformed Chelsea Square into an outdoor gathering place with “six weeks of matches, food, culture, and energy.” Lowell hosted watch parties at the Tsongas Center and Lowell Memorial Auditorium, including “Ghana Night” and a “Lusophone & Colombian Double Night.” Worcester declared itself the host city for Ghana fans and the Common held nine gatherings with support from the Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants. Springfield threw outdoor parties at The Landing. Cabo Verde’s World Cup debut thrilled a crowd full of residents with roots to the island nation gathered at the downtown watch party, as reported by The New Bedford Light.
Last month, Gateway City mayors and managers gathered for the Bialecki Leadership Summit touted the success of these events and stressed the need for more state support making them possible, given the considerable security, transportation, and other logistical barriers that surface.
This topic will likely get further attention as the state works to build a bigger and better downtown strategy. In the meantime, take advantage of all the community celebrations that you can before the weather turns. WBUR has been offering a great tip to listeners this week: venture out to Lynn to view the art that public school students created through Beyond Walls’ excellent Classroom to the Streets program.