Massachusetts Woman Indicted for Stealing $46,310 in Social Security Benefits

A Westminster woman was arrested on Monday, June 18 in connection with stealing $46,310 in Social Security benefits.

Theresa Kenda Benedict, 55, was indicted on one count of theft of public funds and four counts of making false statements. She is scheduled to appear in federal court in Worcester before U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy at 2:00 PM.

According to the indictment that was unsealed today, Benedict served as the representative payee for an individual who was receiving Social Security benefits. In 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, Benedict informed the Social Security Administration that she used all of the money she received as a representative payee for the beneficiary, when, in fact, Benedict used some of the money for her own expenses. Between December 2007 and March 2016, Benedict stole approximately $46,310 in Social Security benefits.

The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charges of making false statements each provide for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.




Ground spraying for mosquitoes planned in New Bedford for Thursday, June 21

The New Bedford Health Department, working closely with the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is again this year conducting an annual monitoring program to track the potential threat from EEE and WNV carrying mosquitoes. Under the program, mosquito traps are put in place to collect pools of mosquitoes and mosquito populations are monitored throughout the summer months.

As part of the mosquito tracking program, the New Bedford Health Department will request that the BCMCP target key areas of the New Bedford for spraying, including public parks and locations that host large public events.

As such, the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will conduct targeted ground spraying for mosquitoes early on the morning of Thursday, June 21, 2018. This round of spraying will target areas including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, and the Downtown area. Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Thursday morning, weather permitting. Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows the evening prior to the spraying.

As it does with EEE and West Nile Virus, the New Bedford Health Department works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to track other emerging mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus. While Zika-carrying mosquitoes have not been identified the New Bedford area, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that the likelihood of becoming infected with Zika virus from a mosquito bite in Massachusetts is very low, residents are urged to take the general precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites. In addition, travelers to areas where the Zika virus has been detected in mosquitoes or humans should take extra precaution to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes during their trip. This includes both females and males who travel to areas where the Zika virus is occurring. If you or your partner is planning on traveling, you should check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information about where Zika virus is occurring: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information.

The same precautionary measures are advised for EEE, WNV, and the Zika virus. These include the following:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Ø Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Ø Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Ø Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Ø Drain Standing Water – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Ø Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.




New Bedford designated as an Age-Friendly Community

Mayor Jon Mitchell joined AARP Massachusetts State Director Mike Festa and City officials to officially accept New Bedford’s designation as an Age-Friendly Community, a livability index from the World Health Organization and AARP for older residents to stay healthy and active longer.

New Bedford’s process to become an Age-Friendly Community began in 2015, when the City applied and was accepted to join the Age Friendly Network, becoming the fourth municipality in Massachusetts to begin the process. This culminated in late 2017, when the City completed its Age-Friendly Action Plan.

Now, New Bedford enters the implementation stage of the plan, totaling more than 80 action steps with 20 already set in motion. The City’s action steps include increasing maintaining a skilled workforce to support older adults and people with disabilities to age in the community, promoting options that provide housing stability and preserve tenancy, supporting housing for New Bedford’s vulnerable older adults, improving accessibility of public areas, encouraging participation of older adults in outdoor activities, providing support for health and wellness in the community, and increasing social engagement for older adults.

The designation also aides the City in receiving grant funding because of New Bedford’s continued commitment to improving the lives of its residents through this thoughtful and deliberate process. The Council on Aging, Department of Public Infrastructure, Health Department, Department of Community Services, the Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development, and Energy Office collaborated on the application, along with Coastline Elderly Services, Mass in Motion, and the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities.

During an announcement at Buttonwood Park, officials highlighted the assets that make New Bedford Age-Friendly based on the seven key features that make communities livable:

– Outdoor spaces
– Transportation
– Aging in the Community/Housing
– Community Support and Health Access
– Social Participation
– Civic Participation/Employment
– Communication

Mayor Jon Mitchell said, “New Bedford is proud to be designated an Age-Friendly Community based on our commitment to improve our residents’ quality of life. From health services to outdoor spaces to transportation, our action plan is designed to enhance the satisfaction with life in New Bedford for residents of all ages, and it will play a key role in meeting the future needs of our City.”

Council on Aging Director Debra Lee said, “The Age-Friendly Journey in New Bedford has been a collaborative and positive team project, bringing together City officials with social services and healthcare providers to best meet the needs of residents over the age of 50 – nearly a third of our total population. We’re excited to continue this work to build on New Bedford’s many assets, and we are grateful to AARP and the World Health Organization for their support of our efforts.”

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities is an affiliate of the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program, an international effort launched in 2006 to help cities prepare for rapid population aging and the parallel trend of urbanization. The program has participating communities in more than 20 nations, as well as 10 affiliates representing more than 1,000 communities.

Criteria for the designation includes the buy-in from elected officials and community groups to prepare the municipality for its aging population, including incorporating projects into existing projects and adding improvements like pedestrian safety features, bike lanes, enhanced parks and community centers, health facilities, and neighborhood and economic development.




Massachusetts State Police Investigating Roll-Over Crash w/ an ejection on Rt. 495

This morning at about 6:00 a.m., troopers from the State Police Barracks in Middleboro responded to reports of a single vehicle roll-over crash that resulted in the death of the ejected operator.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2001 Toyota Tundra was traveling Route 495 by exit 7, when for reasons still under investigation, the operator lost control of the vehicle and swerved causing the vehicle to roll-over and come to rest in the median. The operator, a 66-year-old man from Clearwater, Fla. was ejected. He was transported to Morton Hospital where he was determined deceased.

The victim’s direction of travel prior to the crash remains under investigation.

The northbound left travel lane is temporarily closed for the investigation.

The cause of this crash remains under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section, troopers assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

State Police are being assisted at the scene by Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Raynham and Bridgewater Fire and EMS.

The identity of the victim is being withheld pending family notification.




46th Annual Cape Verdean Recognition Parade, July 7

The 46th Annual Cape Verdean Recognition Parade will be held on Saturday, July 7, at 11:00 a.m. The parade starting point will be Rockdale Avenue and Union Street at Buttonwood Park.

This year’s event is really special because the world-renowned musical group “The Tavares” will be honored along with 14 other well deserving individuals. Award ceremony which takes place at 1:00 pm at Monte Playground!




New Bedford Firefighters’ Public Service Announcement

“In an attempt to provide public awareness, since there has not been any formal notice, announcement or signage, regarding the following changes to response and station access.

To residents and businesses of downtown & the far west end of New Bedford:

This district extends from the New Bedford harbor/waterfront west to the Dartmouth town line and from approximately Allen Street northerly to the Parker Street area.

Response times to this area WILL BE affected over the next 4 months.

Due to repairs being conducted at Fire Headquarters (Station 2) at 868 Pleasant Street in the city’s downtown, the following operation changes were decided by the department:

LADDER COMPANY 1: Our busiest ladder company, has been relocated to Fire Station 5 in the far north end (Sassaquin). Ladder Company 1 will remain OUT OF SERVICE as a Blacked Out company. THIS COMPANY WILL ONLY BE OPEN IF MANPOWER IS AVAILABLE. Otherwise, Ladder 3 in the south end (Station 6 – Potomska & Purchase Sts) and Ladder 4 in the north end (Station 8 – Davis and Acushnet Ave) will now double their responsibility by covering the downtown area and far west end in the absence of Ladder 1.

ENGINE COMPANY 1: Our busiest engine company, will operate from Fire Headquarters (Station 2) in downtown from the hours of 8:00am until 10:00pm. At 10:00pm, Engine 1 will then transfer to Station 7 (Durfee & Cottage Sts) until 8:00am the following morning, at which time they will report back to Headquarters.

!!!PLEASE TAKE NOTICE!!!!

From 10:00pm until 8:00am, THERE WILL BE NO FIRE PERSONNEL OR APPARATUS LOCATED AT HEADQUARTERS (868 Pleasant St), leaving the downtown area and far west end to be covered by outlying fire stations further to the south and north (Stations 6, 7 & 8).

Where alternative suggestions were made by this Union Leadership to maintain a 24 hour station operation and regular response it was the decision of the city to do otherwise.”

~ Local 841
P.O. Box 50817
New Bedford, MA 02745
NewBedfordfirefighters.com




Play in the Park and Summer Food Service Program offers FREE, healthy lunch and activities to New Bedford youth all summer long

I’m a firm believer that genuine deeds of kindness, selflessness and generosity deserve to be recognized. While most people I know that possess these traits aren’t looking for the recognition, I think it is important to share because it not only shows the community the good that is therein but will become infectious. This is important for others to see, because it can soften the heart of the adult cynic, and will certainly be powerful in forming young minds and personalities.

Did you know that there is a program in the city whereby our youth can gather all summer to take part in supervised, safe and fun activities and also eat healthy meals to fuel up and have even more fun? There is and many aren’t even aware of it.

The “Play in the Park” summer food service program that the New Bedford Parks, Recreation and Beaches operates is an absolutely stellar and generous program that has a powerful impact in the community. Promoting health, wellness, nutrition and outdoor activities are just a few of the objectives. What does that specifically entail for youth in greater New Bedford through the coming summer months?

It means that with over 20 outdoor sites throughout the city and new ones coming, there are many fun, safe, structured recreational and educational activities they can participate in and also enjoy a free snack or lunch. The goal is to get youth outside, stay active, make some new friends, sharpen social skills, and eat healthy during the summer months.

There is no need to sign up for anything – the only requirement is to be 18 and under and want to have a blast. Simply make plans and show up. These free youth activities take place at a variety of sites throughout the city that are strategically located in neighborhoods to maximize access for youth and/or are operated in collaboration with community partners who serve youth across the city. Want to plan to participate but concerned about rain? Not a problem as there are half a dozen indoor and covered sites. So, if you are a parent or guardian go right ahead and plan out the summer.

What I love about the way that the program determines the curriculum of a site’s activities is that they are not rote pre-determined activities, but the staff is so packed with creative ideas that they vary the day depending on the group of kids that show up that day. I call it “structured spontaneity” and it is a sure fire way to create a fun environment. A variety of crafts, games, and sports are utilized so as to appeal to every personality and interest. Even if your child is a bookworm there is something: the Art-Mobile and Book-Mobile also make visits to many of their sites.

A program of this caliber has to be spearheaded by people who care about the community and have a deep love for it. That way those characteristics trickle down to everyone involved. Like attracts like and if you have ever participated in any of the “Play in the Park” programs over the years, you know how evident this is and if you are planning on participating, you will find out.

“All of the staff in our program are New Bedford residents and it allows us to offer many summer positions and job training to them, especially to the many teenage employees we hire. For some of them this is their first job experience and then year after year they tell us how much they love working in our program and being able to give back to their community.” states New Bedford Parks, Recreation & Beaches programs and events manager for Alexandrea Matthews.

The program which facilitates and operates over 65 food sites throughout the city has been a smashing success by serving tens of thousands of meals to low-income youth since it has been running – in 2014 alone they served well over 82,000 meals. Think about the impact on the community this outreach has considering that for many kids it is the only real nutritional meal they will have all week.

While the Summer Food Service Program runs throughout the country, here in New Bedford the program is called “Play in the Park” and it has been running since at least the 1960s. “We strive to reach more families and give out as many meals as possible.” explains Mary Rapoza, the Director of New Bedford Parks, Recreation & Beaches. “Parents and grandparents come into our office all the time and tell us their first job was working in “Play in the Park” and let us know about all the great memories they still have of working in the program or they’ll tell us about their favorite thing they used to do with the staff as kids participating in the program.”

The powerful effect of a program that gets the local youth together, gives them an outlet, way to have fun and get fed can’t be stated enough. The positive impact on the community is articulated well by Summer Food Service Program Manager, Jasmine Vega “Many of the kids that show up at our “Play in the Park” sites come every single day and form a close bond with the staff in our program. It gives them a good role model to look up to and learn from. The staff knows most of the kids who come to their sites by name and what their favorite sports or crafts are and by the end of the summer the staff are always sad when the kids have to go back to school.”

This highlights their “Of the community, for the community, by the community” ethos that drives everything that the program and everyone involved with it does.

There are two big events to kick-off the Summer Food Service Program/Play in the Park. The first event is “Family Fun Day” at Harrington Park on Thursday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. which will feature Mayor Mitchell and the second is “Mad Science Day” at Gomes School Park on Friday, June 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Like all of their events, these two are completely free and include lunch for anyone 18 and under. There will, of course, be plenty of activities like face painting, henna tattoos, caricatures, the Bubble Guy, arts & crafts, sports, games and all kinds of hands-on fun.

Always with an eye on the future and looking to offer more to the community, a new site that will be accessible to all children including those with disabilities, called “Noah’s Place Playground” will open.

“We have so much going on this year at our kick-off events and we hope that lots of families will be able to come out and enjoy them!” enthused Alexandrea Matthews. I am confident that anyone that shows up for these kick-off events will get a glimpse of that enthusiasm which is shared by everyone at New Bedford Parks, Recreation & Beaches. Once you get a taste of the kick-off events, you will be starving for more and your kids will be tugging at your coattails to make sure plans are made for the summer involving the “Play in the Park.”

________________________________________________________

Annual partners in the Play in the Park and Summer Food Program are the Mayor’s Office, the New Bedford Public Schools Department, the New Bedford Housing Authority, the Boys and Girls Club, the YWCA, Community Boating Center, Trips for Kids, and many other community-based agencies. For more information about the program contact Alexandrea.Matthews@newbedford-ma.gov 508-961-3015.

__________________________________________________________

New Bedford Parks, Recreation & Beaches
Monday-Friday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from June 27-August 24

Phone: 508-961-3015
Website: www.NBPRB.com
Facebook: facebook.com/NBParksRecreationBeaches/
Email: infoprb@newbedford-ma.gov

______________________________________________________




New Bedford Folk Festival combines world-class talent, food, and vendors, in one of New England’s most popular annual events, July 7 & 8

By Sean McCarthy.

If you ask anyone who has experienced the New Bedford Folk Festival why they return they will likely give the same reason.

“The magic.”

The New Bedford Folk Festival isn’t just a group of individual concerts – a majority of the performances take place in events called “workshops” where artists are paired together for spontaneous jam sessions, creating music based upon pre-established themes. These performances are referred to as “the place where the magic happens,” resulting in unique once-in-a-lifetime performances.

Produced and presented by the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center since 2016, The New Bedford Folk Festival has become a mammoth event. The Zeiterion was approached by the city to keep the festival alive upon the retirement of its founders, Alan and Helene Korolenko, who are now the Artistic Directors, booking all of the entertainment for the event. The festival has become an opportunity to not only discover a new performer but an entirely new genre, an opportunity to enjoy a gourmet food court and beer garden and browse through a six-block marketplace of varied vendors, an opportunity that the Boston Globe has described as one of “New England’s Greatest Celebrations.”

Saturday, July 7, and Sunday, July 8, an 11-block section of historic downtown New Bedford and the Whaling National Historic District will be transformed into a city within a city with the sounds, sights and smells that can only come with summertime.

There are a variety of ticket options. A Premium Pass that costs $125 includes two full days of exceptional music, a Premium Pass lanyard, a 2018 New Bedford Folk Festival t-shirt, access to a fully air-conditioned lounge with private restrooms, guaranteed priority seating at all Zeiterion Theatre and Whaling Museum performances, and discounts at several of the food vendors in the Food Court and Beer Garden.

A weekend pass is $30 and a single day pass is $22.50. Children under 12 are admitted free. Each day will entertain from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

People throughout America look forward to the New Bedford Folk Festival, which, in the past 23 years, has established itself as one of New England’s most popular and respected music festivals. It is an opportunity for musicians to showcase their skills in a setting that every player longs for – an appreciative audience in an alluring setting.

So when the streets of downtown New Bedford teem with music fans the New Bedford Folk Festival will again fill its stages with their established recipe – storied world-class performers juxtaposed with fresh new talent keeping visitors enticed with the diverse opportunities available within the folk music world.

Pete Kennedy knows the magic well. He will perform at the festival with his wife Maura for the 15th time.

“The audience expects the unexpected and that prompts the performers to come up with fresh creative ideas that they might not do in a typical show,” he says. “The audience loves to see something that’s only going to happen once, it’s something that makes it different from other festivals – you get a lot of performers who have never played together before. You’re playing with someone you don’t know with no rehearsal but it opens the door for great things to happen that you couldn’t have done yourself. The audience can sense the musician’s excitement.”

“A lot of thought goes into who is going to be matched together, it’s a nice challenge,” says John Gorka, a nationally-renown singer/songwriter who will be playing at the festival for the eighth time. “The workshops always pair people together from different genres that you wouldn’t expect otherwise. It’s something that takes you out of your comfort zone but it always seems to work.”

“The workshops are a chance for musicians to do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do onstage,” says Alan Korolenko. “The musicians inspire each other with the unpredictability and uniqueness, it’s not very structured so they can have some fun. We’ll get about 25 workshops this year with musicians who are flexible and aren’t bound to just doing their own songs. Our workshops are central to the festival. They take the theme that I give them and they go with it.”

“The interaction factor is much higher in New Bedford than any other playing situation,” Kennedy says. “The actual concept of the festival is for the musicians to play together whether they know each other or not, and that makes it completely unique, it all happens right there onstage.

“It’s all about the spontaneity.”

As always the festival will present homerun performances by artists with international followings including the legendary Tom Rush, Gorka and Cheryl Wheeler.

“I saw Tom Rush at the Zeiterion Theatre a couple of years ago and it was the best hour-long performance I’ve ever seen in my life,” says Art Tebbetts, host of the festival’s Main Stage and a 23-year veteran of the event. “It was just him and his guitar and he was brilliant and funny with a great voice. He told stories like it was the first time he’d ever told them. He made you feel like you were part of the process of him discovering this humor for the first time, he’s such a consummate performer.”
When Tebbetts talks about the seasoned songwriters at the festival he highlights the diversity of the performances.

“A good songwriter can hold an audience in the palm of their hand,” he says. “They can control the emotions of their audience, making you go one way or back another way. They’ll take you through all the different parts that go into a good performance – they can make you laugh with one song and break your heart with the next.”

Tebbetts mentions the wide ranging approaches of Gorka and Wheeler.

“John has a great way with an audience, he’s got a gentle demeanor that people love. He’s got a wonderful sense of humor but he also writes great ballads. You can tell that he cares about what he’s doing and works hard at it, and people admire him for that.

“Cheryl Wheeler is funny and witty and speaks her mind about what’s going on in the public discourse. She comes at her music from many different angles and she writes some beautiful songs. She’s fascinating to watch.”

Gorka claims that performers look forward to playing the festival for multiple reasons.

“One of the things that sets it apart from other places is the sense of history,” he says. “It’s unique to have music rooted in history being played in a historical setting. It also attracts people who are really there to listen to the music, they’re knowledgeable music fans. They come from all over the country and it’s nice to know you’re reaching new people. If you’ve played New Bedford before you look forward to returning.”

“We try to have at least a dozen performers or groups that haven’t been to the festival before,” Korolenko says. “We’re looking for something exciting, somebody that can take the stage and grab the attention of the audience.”

“There’s always someone who catches your ear that you’ve never heard before,” Gorka says.

And it’s also important for the festival to present a variety of genres under the folk umbrella. With more than 100 performers on eight stages, the festival will include traditional, bluegrass, singer/songwriter, Americana, blues, Celtic and more.
Grace Morrisson, a singer/songwriter from Wareham, will be playing the festival for the fifth time.

“This event isn’t a folk concert in the traditional sense,” she says. “The event embraces a wide variety of what the term ‘folk’ means. It’s got everything from traditional to modern, something for everybody. As a performer seeing such a variety of music is a learning experience, and the fans are very engaged in a way you can’t find at most venues.”

The festival will also include non-ticket areas available to the public. The Food Court and Beer Garden will span two blocks on Purchase St. in front of the Zeiterion Theatre, offering a variety of food vendors and a full bar while the sounds of local musicians will be coming from the nearby South Coast Stage.

Food vendors will include the Seafood Hut, Acushnet Creamery, Dorothy Cox’s Candies serving Del’s Lemonade, Fancheezical, Timi’s Greek and Middle Eastern Food, Wicked Good Kettle Corn, Big T’s Jerky, Teddy’s Lunchbox and Wursthaus III.

Local musicians will include The Jethros, Seamus Galligan, Chuck Williams, Fourteen Strings and others.

Other public offerings include The Family Music and Activities Park at Wings Court, featuring performances in family concerts, music sessions, sing-a-longs and hands-on activities. The festival also includes a major juried arts-and-crafts show featuring more than 80 artisans and craft makers lining the cobblestone streets between the performance tents and venues. They will include jewelers, instrument makers, tie dyers, local honey purveyors, ceramic artists and more, representing a rich culture of handmade wares from the South Coast and beyond.

“The sense of community is awesome,” Morrisson says of the event. “I’ve made a lot of friends over the years, not just musicians but vendors and audience members. The attitude is all about community and helping each other, they lift everybody up. From the top down people are very selfless.”




New Bedford Guide’s Facebook page hits 100,000 likes milestone

Yesterday, New Bedford Guide’s Facebook page reached the incredible milestone of 100,000 Facebook likes. It’s an amazing accomplishment and we’d like to thank all of the followers that make running the page an enjoyable experience. New Bedford Guide would not be successful without the community’s participation and the businesses that support us, and for that, we thank you.




Journey Tribute Band to headline 24th Annual Free Summer Concert in Fall River

St. Anne’s Credit Union invites members of the community to attend their 24th Annual Free Summer Concert held at Heritage State Park in Fall River on Saturday, June 30 starting at 4pm. Headlining this year’s entertainment is The Great Escape – a Journey Tribute Band, with The Mike Moran Band opening up the day’s festivities.

The Great Escape performing at the New Bedford Portuguese Feast

Come enjoy great music with friends and family, and enter to win prizes throughout the day. Mad House Grill’s bright pink food truck will be cooking up food and additional refreshments and snacks from the Boys and Girls club will be selling snacks for donation.

St. Anne’s brings this free event to the community in cooperation with WSAR and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Please note: parking is limited