Get ready for an afternoon of top-notch live music, art, poetry, activities for children, 55+ painted storefront windows and more – all free — at the 3rd Annual Spring Fling Festival on May 18, 2 – 5pm (rain date May 19) in the Arlington Heights Business District.
“Arlington is such a vibrant town and increasingly recognized for its arts, culture, and environmental activism,” said organizer Janet O’Riordan. “People in the Heights have been clamoring for more events, and we are delighted to respond with our third spring festival and showcase the wonderful talent and energy in our community.”
This festival is free to all, thanks to a prestigious grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the generosity of sponsors like the Arlington Heights Community Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Senne Residential, and Wonder Yoga. Festivities will take place in the Heights Business District (along Massachusetts Avenue from the Bus Depot to D’Agostino’s parking lot) and at the Park Avenue Congregational Church (50 Paul Revere Road).
Spring Fling is a celebration of community, and it also spreads an important message about environmental action. “We introduced the theme of sustainability and environmental stewardship two years ago to celebrate the spring season and Arlington’s amazing community groups,” adds Arts Arlington’s own Cecily Miller, who is collaborating on the event. “The response has been great, so you can learn about composting, renewable energy, reducing plastic, planting native and much more while exploring the arts and meeting your neighbors.”
The 2024 Spring Fling Festival will include…
LIVE MUSIC
Performed outdoors and indoors by groups with Arlington roots. Featured musical guest is Odaiko New England’s dynamic Japanese Taiko drummers in the D’Agostino’s parking lot from 4:30-5pm. Additional accomplished performers include Jazz and R&B with the Larry Terry Trio outside MyEyeDr from 2-3pm. The New Grownups perform folk, pop, country, Blues, Celtic, originals, and Bluegrass at the Bus Depot from 2:30-3:30pm.
FREE FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES
Including Touch-A-Truck hosted by Arlington’s Fire and Police Departments, Topnotch Contracting, and Intelligent Labor and Moving at the Heights Bus Depot; outdoor bean bag and ring toss games also at the Depot. The Park Avenue Congregational Church will host a variety of kids activities including a kid’s crafts activity with artist Tonya Grifkin, a puppet show presented by Margaret Moody Puppets, and scavenger hunts and role-playing activities presented by (LARP) Live Action Role Playing. Outside ACMi, attendees can meet falconer Diane Welch and her baby owl. Inside ACMi, they are invited to enter other worlds with floor-to-ceiling green-screen technology in ACMi’s professional television studio.
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
26 community organizations and businesses from the high school student-led Full Circle Composting to Electrify Arlington, Mystic Charles Pollinator Pathways Group, and Mothers out Front will host informational tables offering advice on what you can do to help promote a healthy and sustainable environment. The tables will be located in three locations: by the Heights Bus Depot, next to the Heights Pub, and in front of ACMI Studio.
POETRY CELEBRATION
“The Neighborhood of Earth” – showcasing diverse voices of local poets organized by Arlington’s Poet Laureate Jean Flanagan and hosted by Arlington poet and educator Jessie Brown. Some of the poems were originally collected for “I Will Be Earth: The Poetry of Nature,” the May performance by Cantilena, a women’s chorale. Meet talented poets of all ages reading at the Roasted Granola Café, (1346 Massachusetts Avenue)
ARTS ON VIEW
Local arts leader and artist Lidia Kenig-Scher has developed a visual arts component: “Festival goers can watch two artists at work during Plein Air Painting Demonstrations; the community reaction to live painting has been fantastic, so I wanted to bring it to this great neighborhood celebration.” Artist Michelle Mendez will be painting in front of the Locke School Condominium (88 Park Avenue), and artist Olha Brieus will be set up near Heights Pub from 2-5pm. In addition, Kenig-Scher has facilitated an exhibition showcasing the work of three artists: Nayma Islam, paintings; Kathryn Dodgson, ceramics; and Lauren Palmer-Merrill, fiber arts and mixed media art in front of ACMI.
Plus, enjoy viewing the work of our community’s artists in the 55+ spring-themed painted windows in 26 business storefronts.
Free limited parking is available in the Arlington Coal and Lumber parking lot (41 Park Avenue). For more info about schedule of events, location of activities, and a list of participating organizations go here:
Volunteers are needed for this event. Please sign up here!
A warm thanks to the Town of Arlington, Park Avenue Congregational Church, Intelligent Labor & Moving, the Roasted Granola Café, and all the storefront businesses hosting window painting for their invaluable support – it takes a village! Thanks also to Arlington Coal and Lumber and D’Agostino’s Delicatessen for loaning their parking lots for the festival. All graphic design work (posters, signs, flyers) is donated by Rob Davidson, an accomplished professional designer who lives in the neighborhood.
This event was organized by the Arlington Heights Community Association (AHCA), the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture/ArtsArlington, ArtLinks, and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
