*Originally published in Worcester Magazine on Sep 6, 2012
On Saturday, Sept. 8, Worcester will celebrate the historic waterway that runs beneath the city’s most vigorously developing neighborhood with the seventh annual Canalfest. This year, Canalfest takes center stage in Kelley Square and promises to bring with it everything that makes it one of Worcester’s most anticipated annual street festivals.
In the early 1800s, the Blackstone Canal was a thriving waterway that connected Worcester to the sea by way of Providence, R.I. Even though much of the canal was concealed during the 1890s, the waterway still exists beneath Harding Street and has served as the central location of the festival in past years. Today, this neighborhood is fondly referred to as The Canal District and is home to many types of businesses including but not limited to restaurants, bars, retail stores, and additionally, is now able to offer new residential options.
Since the renovation of Union station and its reopening in 2000, The Canal District has seen a resurgence of activity and community improvements. One such undertaking is the proposed Blackstone Valley Replication Project, which would recreate a portion of the canal to add a centerpiece to the already flourishing neighborhood as proposed by the Canal District Alliance. “The idea is simple,” explains Bob Largess, owner of the Hotel Vernon and member of the Canal District Alliance. “We will recreate Lock 48, just out of Kelley Square, and we will rewater Harding Street; it’s the concept of recreating it and stimulating something creative and different, to show Worcester what happens when water is introduced to an old neighborhood.”
In the meantime, the Canal District Alliance began discussing the possibility of celebrating the canal with a festival. “The idea was to keep the idea of the canal alive, but also promote the idea that there could be life on the street in Worcester,” explains Allen Fletcher, member of the Canal District Alliance.
Canalfest offers a little bit of something for the entire family. Street performers entertain festivalgoers throughout the day, while children can participate in age-appropriate arts-and-crafts projects, and the whole family can take a journey out through the district on a horse-and-wagon ride, where you’ll learn much about the neighborhood’s history while traveling the streets surrounding the Kelley Square festival site. The main attraction, as in years past, will be the 75-foot long segment of the canal that is recreated and filled with more than 4,500 gallons of water. Kayak rides will also be offered along the canal reformation. The Hanover Insurance Company, who is an active promoter of the Worcester community, will be one of the participating sponsors this year. “The Hanover proudly supports Canalfest, sharing the commitment of the Canal District Alliance to this vibrant Worcester neighborhood,” says Jennifer Luisa, assistant vice president of community relations. “The Canal District represents the exciting vitality that characterizes the City of Worcester, and we are pleased to take part in this cultural event.”
On hand throughout the day at various booths and tables will be The Ecotarium, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Historical Museum, Worcester Cultural Coalition, Worcester Earn-A-Bike and VegWorcester. Ziti’s Italian Trattoria on Harding Street will provide outdoor seating and some of the restaurants that you can expect to see serving up food that day will include Gumbo, Bocado Tapas, and Wings Over Worcester, among many other local favorites.
The Canal District’s strides to become a destination within Worcester have become more successful each year, and Canalfest helps to achieve this. This rain-or-shine festival is free to the public and parking is available for one dollar at the Union Station parking garage.
For more information, visit blackstonecanalfest.org.