Circle the Square Downtown Street Festival Returns June 16

Updated 12:02 PM Monday, May 30, 2016

Photo by Jack McGoldrick

If you haven’t been to Medford Square on the third Thursday of the month during the summer, this is the year to do it. Now celebrating it’s fifth year, CACHE’s Circle the Square returns on Thursdays, June 16, July 21, and August 18 from 3:30-7:30pm. These street festivals fill Medford Square with free events including live music, dance and theater performances, food vendors, family activities, as well as a variety of programs and discounts offered by local businesses and organizations.

“Over the last 4 seasons, we’ve taken the opportunity to collect a lot of feedback from participants and have really honed in on what people want to see when they come to Circle the Square,” said Circle the Square Chair Laurel Siegel. “This year we have a great line-up of performers and a tremendous amount of support and participation from local businesses, which is what Circle the Square is all about.”

Circle the Square was founded in 2011 by a small committee of individuals eager to put Medford Square on the map and draw attention to local businesses. Circle the Square is so named because the goal is to encourage attendees to literally “circle the square” and explore the many different businesses and organizations at work in the district, while also highlighting the wonderful artistic talent and cultural resources in Medford. “Our hope is that people will bring their friends or family to the square to enjoy the activities and performances and grab a bite to eat at one of the great restaurants while they’re here”, says Siegel. “We want people to really make a night of it and enjoy everything Medford Square has to offer.”

Circle the Square is only possible through the participation of local businesses and the help of volunteers. If you’re a business owner or organization located anywhere in Medford, Circle the Square invites you to participate by offering an activity on event days to help draw people into Medford Square and bring attention to who you are and what you do in Medford. Circle the Square is also looking for volunteers to help out on event days and assist with the set-up and breakdown of the event. Interested individuals and businesses can contact circlethesquaremedford@gmail.com for more information about volunteering or participating in the event.

To learn more about Circle the Square and how to get involved, visit www.circlethesquare.org or follow updates on Facebook (CircletheSquareMedford) or Twitter (@CircleSquareMed).

Circle the Square is supported in part by the Medford Arts Council (a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council), and the City of Medford, as well as the sponsorships of Jay Campbell Realty, Wholefoods in Medford, Noodles & Company, and RE/MAX Andrew Realty and Carroll’s Restaurant.

– Submitted by Laurel Siegel