The Haverhill city council expected to vote Tuesday on agenda items including approvals for this year’s scheduled Kids ArtsFEST and the appointment of a new Haverhill representative on the Whittier Vocational Technical High School Committee.
The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Downtown Haverhill Committee, organizers of the annual event formerly known as KidsFEST, seeks council approval to hold the Saturday, May 2 event within the Riverfront Cultural District, downtown. It requests street closures from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Merrimack Street between How Street and Washington Square, Washington Street to Moulton Way, Essex Street to Granite Street and Emerson Street to Bailey Boulevard. Organizers also seek council permission to place promotional signs at intersections throughout the city and a waiver from city vendor fees. A rain date would be set for Saturday, May 9.
“This year, the committee has added an arts theme to the event. This year’s event will include music, arts, dramatic performance, martial arts and dance demonstrations as well as crafts and art activities with local artists and creatives. There will also be an emphasis on the city’s cultural treasures as we work to incorporate them into the local vendor activities or partner them with downtown businesses,” said Chamber President Stacey L. Bruzzese in a statement.
This year’s Kids ArtsFEST will make its return to the downtown after it was moved last year by then-chamber leaders to Kimball Farm on East Broadway. The move was criticized over the lack of secured shuttle transportation for inner-city children and their families.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda, councilors are asked to vote on a non-confirming appointment of Haverhill School Committee President Scott Wood to represent Haverhill on the Whittier Regional Technical High School Committee. The request comes after the Haverhill School Committee appointed Wood to complete the term of committeeman Shaun Toohey on the Whittier board. The term will expire March 31, 2017.
The Haverhill city council meets at 7 p.m., Tuesday, in council chambers at Haverhill City Hall.