Inaugural Summerfest Concludes Successful 15-Week Run-August 26, 1980

Initially met with local skepticism regarding traffic, parking, and crowd control—particularly concerns that young people hanging out on the town common might cause disruptions—the program proved to be an overwhelming success.

“The concerts renewed interest in the town center, the family and a sense of community pride. And they have been fun,” said Arlene Mollo of the Arts Council.

Every Wednesday night since May, an average of 500 residents gathered in front of Town Hall after roadblocks closed Nahatan Street between Washington and Central streets to traffic. Attendees enjoyed a diverse lineup of bluegrass, barbershop, dixieland, jazz, and rock music, frequently dancing in the street and singing along. Saturday afternoons catered to younger audiences with puppet shows, plays, mimes, magicians, and jugglers, relocating indoors to the Guild School during inclement weather.

Despite initial worries about crowds, police reported virtually no incidents. “We had no problems with the crowd whatsoever. It was the most orderly crowd we’ve seen,” noted Police Lieutenant John J. Wall. The only arrest connected to the entire 15-week series involved an intoxicated motorist who struck one of the street roadblocks.

Co-sponsored by the Arts Council, the Recreation Department, the business community, and the Norfolk County Development and Tourist Council—which contributed a $5,000 grant matching the town’s $5,000 appropriation—the series bridged community groups. Although county funds were briefly delayed due to paperwork hurdles, forcing organizers like Recreation Department representative Gerry Miller to temporarily cover professional performer fees out of their own pockets, the final results far outweighed the minor hiccups.

“On Wednesday nights anyway, that part of town was taken over by the townspeople again,” Miller remarked, contrasting the orderly crowds with the usual summer loitering on the common. Buoyed by the success, the Summerfest committee plans to bring back the program next year, alongside a newly planned monthly social calendar listing town organization events, while setting aside plans for an Octoberfest to focus full preparation on next summer’s series.

Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon and Community Updates

In other local news, preparations are ramping up for upcoming community events and the new academic year:

• Labor Day Telethon: The Norwood pledge center for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon—benefiting the Muscular Diversity Association—will be hosted at the Norwood Civic Center (820 Washington St.). Festivities kick off Sunday at 8 p.m. with a 1950s dance featuring disc jockey Chuck Burgess, live music from The Colonial Boys and The New Dimensions, performances by Patriots cheerleaders, and a firefighting equipment display. Local youths wishing to collect donations can sign up for collection canisters at the 7-11 store (210 Pleasant St.) or at the Civic Center.
• Norwood Boosters Club: The Boosters will hold their first meeting of the school year on September 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Recreation Center to organize concessions for the September 13 home football game against Don Bosco High School. Adults interested in volunteering can contact Barry Quinlan at 762-7391.
• School Schedule Corrections: Town officials clarified morning schedules for the upcoming school year starting next Wednesday. Warning bells will sound at 7:45 a.m. at the senior high, both junior highs, and the Peabody School, with classes commencing at 7:50 a.m. Dismissal times are set for 2:20 p.m. at the junior highs, 2:24 p.m. at the Peabody School, and 2:28 p.m. at the senior high.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger