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Brewfest pouring for Yankee Homecoming
Enjoy a little pre-Yankee Homecoming fun before the city's annual 10-day summer festival kicks off on Sunday.
Homecoming is pouring a Brewfest fundraiser Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. under a tent on the Newburyport waterfront adjacent to the boardwalk.
Event-goers will enjoy 12, 4-ounce beer samples selected from more than 30 craft brews from about a dozen of the region's top brewers, including Cape Ann Brewing, Ipswich Ale, Gritty McDuff's, Magic Hat Brewing, Wachusett Brewing, Saranac. Smuttynose Brewing and D.L. Geary Brewing.
Local favorite Ol' Brown Shoe will provide the music, and David's Tavern, The Upper Crust Pizzeria and The Traveling Chef will supply the food. Door prizes will be awarded as well.
Tickets for the 21-plus event are $25 in advance, available at New England Wine & Spirits on State Street; and $30 at the door while they last. Ticket-holders will receive a souvenir tasting glass.
Proceeds will support the Yankee Homecoming festivities. Visit www.yankeehomecomiong.com or e-mail event chairwoman Elizabeth McNeill at yhbrewfest2010@gmail.com.
Greek Food Festival cooks up authentic menu
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Harris Street in Newburyport serves up its annual Greek Food Festival tomorrow through Sunday. The festival hours are tomorrow and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The popular event will be held indoors, rain or shine. Homemade Greek entrees such as gyros, lamb shanks, moussaka, chicken, pork and lamb kabobs, keftethes (meatballs), spinach pie, pastichio and Greek salad on the menu. Plaki (fish) will be available tomorrow only. Authentic Greek pastries and more will also tempt diners.
Area artists ready for Art on Bartlet Mall
The annual Art on Bartlet Mall at High and Pond streets in Newburyport is set for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The show and sale features original artwork in a variety of mediums by many of the region's artists. Admission is free.
Annual BluesCruise takes to the seas
The Yankee Homecoming BluesCruise sets sail Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. out of Plum Island Point.
The concert and fireworks cruise will feature blues and gospel vocalist Sweet Willie D together with the harmonica-playing Parker Wheeler, who hosts the weekly Sunday blues sessions at The Grog in downtown Newburyport, and lead guitarist J. Laite, who has performed throughout the country for more than 30 years.
Bass guitarist John O'Connor and percussionist Greg Roberts, both of whom are veterans of the New England and Boston music scenes, round out the ensemble.
Cruise-goers will enjoy a view of the night's Salisbury Beach fireworks display before heading back to shore. A cash bar will be available. Tickets are $32 in advance, $36 the day of the cruise. They are available at Dyno Records, 1 Middle St., Newburyport, 978-462-9630; Captain's Fishing Parties on Plum Island Point in Newburyport, 800-427-1333; or online at www.NewburyportBluesCruise.com.
Port church hosting Antiques Show and Sale
The 46th Antique Show and Sale is set for Monday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport.
More than 500 vendors will be selling their collectibles and other items both inside the church and on the grounds. Lunch will be served by the women of Belleville Congregational. The event goes off rain or shine.
Admission is $4. Call Nancy Canali at 978-388-1117 or Joyce Dumais at the church at 978-465-7734.
Youth Talent Showcase in spotlight Monday
Young performers from the region will take to the waterfront stage for the Youth Talent Showcase on Monday, July 26, from noon to 2 p.m. in Market Landing Park.
The non-competitive event is open to school-aged children ranging in age from 6 to 18 from the Newburyport area. Performers are invited to sing, dance, recite poetry, act, juggle, play a musical instrument, do comedy or demonstrate another talent; no lip syncing is allowed. Solo acts as well as duets, trios and small group ensembles or bands are welcome.
Registration is required by tomorrow. Late entries will be accepted on the day of the showcase as times and slots are available. There is no registration fee. The rain location is the Masonic Temple at 31 Green St. Contact Annie Zannini at 978-360-8960 or e-mail Songbird60@gmail.com for more. For complete rules, visit www.yankeehomecoming.com.
Crafts abound for Market Square Day
The juried Craft Show — Market Square Day returns to Yankee Homecoming on Tuesday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Juried vendors from throughout New England will take over Market Square and the downtown for the day, selling a variety of their hand-crafted wares. The rain date is Wednesday, July 28. Call 978-462-7676 or e-mail yhccraftshow@hotmail.com.
Cushing House hosting tours, book sale, portraits
The Historical Society of Old Newbury is celebrating Yankee Homecoming with a series of tours, a book sale and hand-cut silhouette portraits at its Cushing House Museum at 98 High St. in Newburyport.
The public is invited to enjoy a free peek at the Cushing House on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The society's restored privy will be the site of a used book sale featuring volumes on Newburyport-area history, art and other subjects.
Artist Carol Lebeaux will return to create her hand-cut portraits, which have become an annual tradition at the museum. Lebeaux is known for carefully capturing her subjects' likenesses, including children, adults and pets, in hand-cut paper.
The tours are free. Silhouette sittings are $33, with a $12 fee for each additional copy. For more information or a silhouette reservation, call the society at 978-462-2681.
Kids Day fun at Atkinson Common
The Exchange Club of Greater Newburyport is ready to roll out its annual Kids Day in the Park at Atkinson Common on High Street at the Three Roads intersection on Wednesday, July 28, starting at 10 a.m.
Children of all ages are welcome for a free day of activities, fun and food. Events will include a baby carriage and bicycle parade, presentations by Newburyport's Theater in the Open, children's stories, singing, face painting by Kids As Peacemakers, games with the Newburyport Mothers Club, a K-9 demonstration by the Essex County Sheriff's Department and large equipment tours by the Newburyport police, fire and public works departments.
Lunch will be served by Latitudes, with beverages supplied by Coca-Cola. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
Pump up for outdoor boot camps
Fuel Training Studio in Newburyport is holding free outdoor boot camps on Tuesday, July 27, and Thursday, July 29, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
Classes meet at the picnic tables at the Newburyport boardwalk near the Black Cow restaurant. For more, call 978-463-3226 or visit www.fueltrainingstudio.com.
Gathering of Irish Thunder invades high school auditorium
The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Msgr. Thomas M. Lane Division #1, is hosting a Gathering of Irish Thunder on Wednesday, July 28, at 7 p.m. in the Newburyport High School auditorium at 241 High St.
The night will feature performances by the local group Mollie's Misfits featuring medleys of guitar and fiddle music, together with the step dancers of the Bracken School of Irish Dance in Salisbury and the fiddlers of the Elm Street Music School.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door; children 10 and under will be admitted for free. Tickets are available in advance at the Newburyport High School office or by calling Dan Cleary at 978-360-9603, Ray Gibbons at 978-462-2112, George Lawrence at 978-462-7343 or Michael Ferrick at 978-390-2500.
Yankee Homecoming blood drive set
The Knights of Columbus is holding its annual Yankee Homecoming blood drive on Thursday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 7 Court St., Newburyport.
To make an appointment to give blood, call 1-800-Red-Cross (733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org.
Book sale, tours and barbecue at First Religious Society
The First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, at 26 Pleasant St. in downtown Newburyport is holding a book sale Thursday, July 29, through Saturday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All types of books for the family, both hardcovers and paperbacks for adults and children, will be for sale. Magazines, movies and music will also be available. Most books will be priced at $1 to $3, but there will be a few valuables as well.
Patrons will also be invited to tour the First Religious Society's historic 1801 meetinghouse. Local historian Ann Dodge will be leading the free tours and highlighting the history of the building and early Newburyport as well as some of the interesting people associated with the church.
A barbecue featuring music, food and offerings from the Gloucester Fisherman CSA and more will be served every day of the sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meals may be enjoyed on the church lawn or ordered to go and eaten later. Call the church at 978-465-0602 or visit www.frsuu.org for more.
Marchers sought for Homecoming Parade
Participants are still being sought for the annual Yankee Homecoming Parade down Newburyport's High Street on Sunday, Aug. 1.
Community organizations, clubs and school groups are invited to march in the 53rd annual parade. Participants can enter a float building off this year's Homecoming theme of "Come Together," march as an organization or volunteer to carry banners for sponsors and the parade itself or collection buckets to benefit the annual Jimmy Fund drive.
For more information, contact Michael Volpone at 978-479-2550 or e-mail mvyhcparade@gmail.com. Visit www.yankeehomecoming.com for more.
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To submit an item for the Yankee Homecoming Notebook, e-mail svartabedian@newburyportnews.com or ndn@newburyportnews.com or call 978-462-6666.
