NEW “SOMERSTREETS” EVENT DEBUTS ON HOLLAND STREET SEPTEMBER 8th

The City of Somerville will host its newest event in the annual SomerStreets series on Sunday, September 8^th from noon to 4 p.m. Strike Up the Bands @ SomerStreets will take place along Holland Street between Davis Square and Teele Square and will include live music at Johnny D’s Uptown and PJ Ryan’s Pub as well as children’s activities, family-friendly programming, and student-friendly fun (Welcome back, students!) throughout the afternoon. This is the first time the festival has been hosted on Holland Street. The final SomerStreets event of the year is planned for Sunday, October 27^th, on Somerville Ave.

SomerStreets is the City’s Open Streets Initiative, which closes sections of roadways one Sunday per month to promote and support active living – walking, biking, running, dancing, etc.

Along Holland Street activities for children, students, and adults of all ages will include, but are not limited to:

·         Live music at PJ Ryan’s and Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant & Music Club stages

·         Rock Climbing Wall

·         The Davis Flea @ Buena Vista Parking Lot (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

·         Boston Cornhole Tournament

·         Zumba

·         Craft fair

·         Children’s activities at Hodgkin’s Park

Additionally, a “Beerfest” will be sponsored by local establishments, Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant & Music Club, PJ Ryan’s and Rudy’s Café each of which will sell beer, wine and food  outside on Holland Street to patrons with appropriate I.D Orleans Restaurant will offer food, but no alcohol.

“This latest addition to our annual SomerStreets series coincides with the return of local university students to the area, and it provides a great opportunity for new and returning students to connect, or reconnect, with their new neighborhood,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “All SomerStreets events offer opportunities for residents of all ages, and we hope to create a new niche in the Teele and Davis Square area through this series for students with a welcome back celebration.”

For the September event, road closures and parking restrictions will apply as follows:

·         No Parking on Holland St. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Street closed to all vehicles 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

·         All side streets leading onto Holland St. will temporarily be converted to two-way traffic to allow residents to get to and from their homes, including: Buena Vista Road; Thorndike St.; Irving St.; Simpson Ave.; Jay St.; Gorham St.; Paulina St.; Elmwood St.; Claremon St.; and Moore St.

·         Bus routes 87 and 88 will be rerouted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thank you to the September event co-sponsors:  Shape Up Somerville; the Somerville Arts Council; Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant & Music Club; Rudy’s Café; Orleans; and PJ Ryan’s.

The final SomerStreets event for 2013, “Monster Mashed-Up” will be held on Sunday, October 20^th along Somerville Avenue.

SomerStreets builds on the Shape Up Somerville healthy living initiative. Similar open streets events take place all around the world, providing space normally taken up by automobile traffic for people to be more active.

All SomerStreets events will run from 12 to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Residents who live directly on Holland St. should call Carlene Campbell-Hegarty at 857-523-9017 in advance or on the day of the event for assistance in leaving from or returning to your property safely.