By Janet Stoica

Hold onto your hula skirts!  Webster’s Recreation Director Carole Marchand, the Recreation Committee, along with the Webster Cultural Council, are hosting their first February Luau event at Webster Lake Memorial Beach on Saturday, February 19, from 3 – 6 p.m. (Rain date: February 26).  Yes, you read that right, it’s a hula and fire dancer event that promises to be memorable. 

Complete with food trucks with pulled pork sandwiches, hot coffee, and cocoa, an Ugly Hawaiian Shirt Contest, limbo contest, and kids’ take-home craft kits, families are encouraged  to hula their way to fun.

Ms. Marchand applied for and received a grant from the state’s cultural council to hold a winter event in Webster. Collaborating, the town’s Cultural Council and Recreation Committee decided that a summer event would be held in the winter and what better venue than the town’s Memorial Beach? “There are plenty of Christmas in July events so why not a Summer in Winter event?” she said.

Polynesian Fusion of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, was contacted and the wheels were set in motion.

“It’ll be Christmas in July in reverse,” said Ms. Marchand, “and we’re hoping it’ll be a great success. The dancers just purchased new body suits and were only too happy to wear them again. We’re looking forward to lots of people coming out to enjoy themselves. The fire dancers should be fascinating. We’ll also be handing out leis to our attendees.”

Carole Marchand has been Webster’s recreation director for more than four years now and has made a big difference in bringing new and exciting community events to town. Her enthusiasm and upbeat attitude have made a world of difference for local families looking for local events. “One of the smartest things I’ve ever done was to take this position,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoy what I do, working with our town groups, and I hope that Webster is happy with me.” 

Other activities on the 2022 recreation activity schedule include a wrestling night in March, sponsored by the Webster Police Department. In April, events include the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Memorial Beach, which will feature a children’s’ Easter Egg Hunt with prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny, and an Earth Day Clean-up on Saturday, April 23, when volunteers will help to improve local streets and roads by cleaning up litter.

“We are very grateful to Pratt Trucking for providing trash bins for litter disposal,” said Ms. Marchand. “They’ve always been very generous to us. Our Webster Police Department also greatly assists us by picking up bagged litter on the streets we clean.” A Rev3 Triathlon (swim, bike, and run) will be held again too.

From March through May, Ms. Marchand will be busy interviewing and hiring beach personnel in preparation for opening day at Memorial Beach. “Our staff has to be put together and ready to go for Memorial Day weekend,” she said. 

In May, the Webster Fire Department will be holding its Tri-State Meet and on May 26/27, Jet Ski Races will entertain lake spectators. The town’s annual fireworks display is scheduled for Sunday, July 3, along with pre-fireworks’ music at Memorial Beach and food trucks with fried dough, snacks, French fries, soda, and ice cream.

The French River Concerts commence on Wednesday, July 6, and every week thereafter for 5-6 weeks. Ms. Marchand hopes to have some new and exciting performers added to the schedule this year. “There’ll be something for everyone,” she said. “It’s always a fun get-together in the River Park.”  Of course, many of the above events are health-permitting, as in COVID and its variations. Townspeople are encouraged to check the town website for updates: www.webster-ma.gov as well as the Facebook page listed below for Recreation Department updates.

Looking ahead to the 2022 holiday season, the committee is reviewing displays. New street decorations were installed on Church Street this year. “We have limited opportunities for displays on Main Street,” said Ms. Marchand, “as there are no electrical connections on the streetlight poles, making it a challenge. We did install banners on the poles but delivery trucks have damaged the flags and banner hardware. We hope to find a solution.”

Carole Marchand also wants to invite any Webster citizen to participate in and contribute to helping make the town’s surroundings and recreation activities more enjoyable for all. “I always welcome new suggestions and ideas,” she said. “I can’t promise that we can do it all but if our townspeople want to join in and make it happen, they are always appreciated.” 

Contact Carole Marchand at (508) 949-3800, Ext. 1023. Webster Town Hall, 350 Main Street, Webster. Find them on Facebook: Webster Arts/Recreation Group.   

--------------------------------------------------

Contact Janet:  jstoica@

TheYankeeXpress.com