Haverhill’s Big Weekend of Events Begins Tonight

Workers begin assembling Haverhill’s Better Block, downtown. (Frank Komola photograph for WHAV News.)

Haverhill’s big weekend of events begins Friday night with First Fridays, continues Saturday with Haverhill’s Better Block downtown and the Haverhill Firefighting Museum’s Kentucky Derby and concludes Sunday with the debut of “Murder Among Friends,” a new anthology introduced at an author’s event at Whittier Birthplace.

First Fridays

first_fridays-230First Fridays, a new initiative featuring night time store openings, walking tours and entertainment in downtown Haverhill, kicks off Friday, May 5.

Creative Haverhill, responsible for the Riverfront Cultural District, plans to have local businesses, artists and performers create a monthly event to encourage shopping, dining and the arts, while showcasing the “rejuvenation” of downtown Haverhill.

“Downtown shops and restaurants have agreed to have their doors open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., every First Friday,” said Jenny Arndt, Creative Haverhill’s arts and culture coordinator. “Many will be providing live entertainment, discounts and offers and other special pop-up activities in their spaces,” she added.

See the full schedule here.

Haverhill’s Better Block

team_better_block_logoMassDevelopment, in conjunction with the Haverhill Transformative Development Initiative and Team Better Block, builds a temporary “better block” long Merrimack Street, between How and Main Streets.

The section of street opens between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday. It is a prototype to attract more local business, encourage more time outdoors, add more beauty and bring more bicycles and foot traffic. In the end, organizers say, the downtown block brings more friends, laughter and conversations.

Better Block and O Positive will program the block with music, food, beverages, theatre, merchants, wellness and more.

See the full schedule here.

Haverhill Firefighting Museum’s Kentucky Derby Gala

derby_hat_attire-230The Haverhill Firefighting Museum is having a Kentucky Derby Gala, 143rd Run for the Roses, Saturday May 6, from 5 to 10 p.m., at the Haverhill Firefighting Museum, 75 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill.

Entertainment is being provided by Dan Sky, and there will be a Southern fare buffet, Mint Juleps, raffles and prizes for best derby hat and attire.

Tickets for adults only are $60 per person.

More information here.

Debut of ‘Murder Among Friends’ at Whittier Birthplace

whittier_murder_anthology_cover-230Authors who contributed to the new book, “Murder Among Friends,” gather Sunday, May 7, between 1 and 3 p.m., at Whittier Birthplace, 305 Whittier Road, Haverhill.

The new anthology features new stories inspired by poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Those expected to sign books and participate in readings are David Goudsward, Gregory L. Norris, Judi Calhoun, Edith Maxwell and Susan Oleksiw. Authors will also sell some of their other titles.

All sales proceeds from “Murder Among Friends” benefit Whittier Birthplace of Haverhill.

More information here.