AMHERST — Two stages with musical performers, numerous food vendors and representatives from various organizations and nonprofits will be lined up along North Pleasant Street for the Annual Block Party Thursday.
Running from 5 to 9 p.m., a section of North Pleasant Street from Amity Street to Hallock Street will become a pedestrian mall, with the street closing earlier in the day and no parking to accommodate the set up.
The Amherst Business Improvement District is again coordinating the event, being held for the 13th time.
Visitors and those who live in town, including local college students, will encounter street performers and live acts, including aerialists, acrobats, stilt walkers and jugglers, many with SHOW Circus.
Valley FLOW & Juggle will perform and teach others how to juggle, while balloon creations will come from Ed Pop.
At the Main Street Stage, located at the southern end of the closed street, Masala Jazz will kick off the music, followed at 6:15 p.m. with introductions of the coaches and players on the University of Massachusetts basketball teams. This will be followed by the UMass Minuteman Marching Band drumline parading up the street.
Then at 6:45 p.m. is Wred, with a focus on funk rock, and at 8 p.m. the Soul Magnets, a horn-heavy nine-piece ensemble.
The Showcase Stage, at the north end near Kendrick Park, starts at 5:15 p.m. with Tennessee Rose, then a West African Drumming ensemble led by Jafar Manselle. At 6:45 p.m. will be the Rainbow Players, a cabaret-style spoken word piece featuring small groups and solos organized by Entertainment Through the Arts. At 7:30 p.m. is Nectar Jazz quartet, featuring classical guitar, percussion, and double bass, with the vocal stylings of Kate Nicolaou and the evening concludes with Johnny Miko & The C-5’s.
Games, hula hooping, sidewalk chalk art, and a sensory tent will be put on by Amherst Recreation.
While a family-friendly event, the Block Party will have opportunities for those who are 21 and older to buy alcoholic beverages. This will happen at the outdoor patios at McMurphy’s, Stackers and The Spoke, three of the downtown bars, as well as at the parklets at Amherst Coffee, Fresh Side, Amherst Oyster Bar and La Veracruzana.
At the north end of the Block Party at Realignment Park, where the Hope the Cow statue is located, Provisions will be offering a pop-up beer and wine garden.
As part of this year’s event, the Amherst BID is taking steps to improve accessibility for those who use wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility supports. This will be done by ensuring that sidewalks, crosswalks and accessible paths are kept clear, and reminding people, through signs, of not having obstructions on the walkways.
