Daily News

Celebrate Holyoke Announces New Director, Seeks Vendors

HOLYOKE — With planning for Celebrate Holyoke well underway, the committee announced its new executive director, Jenna Weingarten, who will lead the efforts to coordinate this August’s three-day festival. In addition, the committee welcomes applications from local food, alcohol, and other vendors, including artisans and community organizations.

A 2011 Hampshire College graduate, Weingarten has been involved in the Pioneer Valley art scene on many different levels. She has operated several galleries in Western Mass., hosting a wide variety of artistic exhibitions. She serves as project manager for the ARTery project based out of the Holyoke Creative Art Center that provides development resources for Western Mass. creatives. She also teaches the business of art at the recently opened Lighthouse Center for Teens in downtown Holyoke and serves on the city’s Local Cultural Council. She was heavily involved in Celebrate Holyoke this past year, running the Holyoke Arts Bazaar that took place along the Canal Walk.

Celebrate Holyoke is a three-day festival that made its return last August after a 10-year hiatus, drawing an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people downtown over the course of the weekend. This year’s festival is scheduled for August 26-28 and will include live musical performances, food and beverages from local restaurants, and goods from local artists and makers. Back by popular demand is Slide the City, which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 27.

The planning committee is seeking alcohol distributors, food trucks, restaurateurs, artisans, nonprofits, and community organizations interested in joining this downtown Holyoke event. Applications are available in person at the mayor’s office or online at www.celebrateholyokemass.com/#!vendors/c1lxs. In addition, volunteers are needed both before and during Celebrate Holyoke to help promote, plan, and run the three-day event. For more information, visit www.celebrateholyokemass.com.