Family Day at Maudslay packs in the fun
Yankee Homecoming has put together a full day of family entertainment on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Maudslay State Park on Curzon Mill Road in Newburyport.
Highlights of the day will include tethered hot air balloon rides, Ultimate Frisbee demonstrations, clinics and games; bicycle field races, Teddy Bear Parade, fairy houses, soccer skills and drills clinics, Glamour Girl Spa nail salon, equestrian-themed crafts, pony rides and hayrides, kids carnival, kite making, animal presentations and more.
The entertainment will include the Seacoast Civic Dance Company from the New Hampshire Academy of Performing Arts in Seabrook; the duo of Michael & Marisa; the Bracken School of Irish Dance in Salisbury; The Musical Suite in Newburyport; All Around Gymnastics in Salisbury; Tokyo Joe's Studios of Self-Defense of Salisbury; singer/guitarist Bill McGowan, also known as the vice principal at the Bresnahan School in Newburyport, and more.
Family Day is sponsored by the Institution for Savings, and events go off rain or shine. For a complete schedule of events and activities, visit www.yankeehomecoming.com.
Head to the seas for Yankee Homecoming
Celebrate Yankee Homecoming from the river aboard the annual BluesCruise on Saturday, July 25. The three-hour cruise departs at 7 p.m. from the dock of Captain's Fishing Parties out of Plum Island Point in Newburyport.
This year, cruise-goers will get a special treat — views of the three Tall Ships on the shores of Salisbury Beach for the weekend as part of its Merrimack River Maritime Festival as well as a fireworks show over the beach.
Sweet Willie D., who has performed with Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, Roomful of Blues and K.D. Bell, headlines the entertainment together with Parker Wheeler, host of the Sunday Blues Party at The Grog in Newburyport, and lead guitarist J. Laite. Bass guitarist John O'Connor and percussionist Greg Roberts round out the bill.
Tickets are $32 in advance, $36 the day of the event. They are available online at www.NewburyportBluesCruise.com as well as at Captain's Fishing Parties at 800-427-1333 and Dyno Records, Middle Street, Newburyport 978-462-9630. The rain date is Sunday, July 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. Visit www.NewburyportBluesCruise.com for more.
Homecoming Sox raffle benefits crisis center
Take a chance to win tickets to a Red Sox game while benefiting the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center in Newburyport. The center is holding a raffle for two pavilion upper level seats to the Sept. 12 Red Sox-Tampa Bay game at Fenway, plus two Red Sox hats.
Tickets will be sold during Yankee Homecoming's Sidewalk Sales Thursday, July 30, through Saturday, Aug. 1. They are $10 each or three for $25. The drawing takes place Monday, Aug. 3. Proceeds will support the crisis center's programs assisting victims of domestic violence. Visit www.jeannegeigercrisiscenter.com or call the crisis center at 978-465-0999 for more.
Parade recruiting Jimmy Fund volunteers
Volunteers are being sought to march in the Yankee Homecoming Parade and collect donations for the Jimmy Fund. The first Jimmy Day Parade began in Newburyport in 1948 and has become a Homecoming tradition.
Proceeds from the collection support treatment and programs for children diagnosed with cancer. To volunteer or learn more, contact C. Bruce Brown, Jimmy Fund Parade chairman, at 978-465-6178 or e-mail peggykbrown@verizon.net.
Jazz, pop-rock headed to Market Square stage
The Market Square stage in downtown Newburyport will be hopping with performers and musicians all throughout Yankee Homecoming. Here's some of the acts that will be taking their turn in the spotlight:
Boston-based pop-rock pianist and singer/songwriter Ben Willmott showcases his new recording, "Rich With Love," on Sunday, July 26, at 3 p.m. The CD features 14 new originals, including the poetic "Alabama," a sentimental "Emily" and a favorite of his fans, "Ithaca," drawing from his experiences in college in the New York town. The 25-year-old musician who is a native of Sherborn encompasses elements of Billy Joel, Ben Folds, James Taylor and Bach, mixing folk and classical with his pop-rock sound.
Jazz vocalist Judith Murray livens things up with her "Joy of Sax" program on Monday, July 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. She will be joined by Steve Swartz on sax and clarinet, David Ehle on guitar, and Rob Toomer on percussion. The North Shore vocalist is a development assistant at Citizens for Adequate Housing in Peabody by day, but delivers jazz standards and selections from the Great American Songbook in her off hours.
Shorty Hill will be performing Tuesday, July 28, from noon to 2 p.m. The self-proclaimed "American eclectic" with Newburyport roots plays a mix of blues, swing, rockabilly and '60s pop. He will be joined by bassist Willie Mattos and drummer Geoff Birt, as well as some special guests. Hill, who spends much of his time today living, working and playing in Costa Rica, would be best remembered in Newburyport as lead guitarist for the vocal rock band The Shadows in the 1960s and for his 1970s band Shorty Hill & the Longhaulers.
Speaking of The Shadows, Hill will join some of his original band members for a reunion a show on Thursday, July 30, at 10 a.m. in Market Landing Park on the Newburyport waterfront. Hill will regroup with former bandmates Rick Eck and Teddy Stanwood for what will be their first Yankee Homecoming performance since 1969.
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To submit an item for the Yankee Homecoming Notebook, e-mail svartabedian@newburyportnews.com or ndn@newburyportnews.com.
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