Malden’s series of outdoor Summer Festivals continue on Saturday, June 26 when Malden Center is once again transformed into an open-air street fair and stage area featuring live music, gaming challenges, specialty food markets, artists stations, and cultural performances.
Summer Festivals organizer Kevin Duffy from the Mayor’s Office says, “These festivals have a little bit of fun for everyone. Whether it be live music, great food, a 10-minute escape room challenge, an opportunity to play Giant Jenga or a Giant Connect Four game, Malden Center is the place to be between 12 noon and 6 PM. every other Saturday throughout the months of June, July and August.” The series of Summer Festivals sponsored by the Mayor’s Office, the Malden Redevelopment Authority and the Malden Chamber of Commerce is the result of the City taking part in the Local Rapid Recovery Plan Program where cities are required to define an area and then try and help businesses recover from the pandemic.
Mayor Gary Christenson adds: “To help our businesses rebound after a devastating year, these open-air events will give our residents an opportunity to re-explore Malden.”
Interest in the Summer Festivals continues to grow since the first ever-event was launched on June 12. Artisans, musicians and gamers have been seeking opportunities to participate. The June 26 event will feature an appearance by local resident and author Michael Cloherty who will sell and sign copies of his new book “Abel Bodied: Murder at the Malden Bank” about the first bank robbery murder in the United States which occurred in Malden and took the life of Frank Converse, the 17-year-old son of Malden’s first Mayor and Mrs. Elisha Converse. Point of interest: the murder occurred in what is now the brew pub - Faces on Pleasant St. in Malden Center.
Other features on June 26 will include jugglers, magicians, gaming challenges, a return performance by the Emperor Norton Stationary Marching Band, a crowd favorite on June 12.
Summer Festivals are also scheduled for July 10 and 24 and August 7 and 21. A few of these upcoming dates will feature a pub crawl and a special 1891 Event commemorating the founding of the Malden Chamber of Commerce. Free parking is available in the CBD Garage, 170 Centre Street and in the Jackson Street Garage, 7 Jackson Street. For more information about Summer Festivals and the ever-evolving list of events, please visit cityofmalden.org/summerfestivals.