Whitinsville, MA (July 11, 2019) – Go explore historic mill villages, go paddle under the full moon, go to an apple festival, and go explore the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor! With more than 100 events to choose from, Blackstone Heritage Corridor proudly presents its 5th annual GO! program this September, highlighting the Blackstone River Valley as a destination for family fun and exploration. This year’s GO! offers guided walks and paddles, bike and museum tours, festivals and many more family-friendly events. GO! 2019 is generously sponsored by UniBank and Navigant Credit Union.
“I love the Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s GO! program,” noted Diane Prete of N. Smithfield, RI. “The summer was always my favorite time of year and I felt a little sad when it was over. But since I discovered BHC’s month-long GO! in September, I really look forward to the fall and discovering a whole world of wonderful attractions and activities right in my own backyard. I’m exploring places that I didn’t even know existed, learning about the history of Blackstone Valley and meeting some wonderful people along the way.”
A special GO! kickoff event takes place Thursday, August 29 at the Museum of Work & Culture (42 S. Main St., Woonsocket, RI) unveiling a gallery show featuring the stunning work of 10 volunteers from the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassadors. A free reception is being held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. where the museum’s gallery will debut 80 extraordinary photos highlighting the historic, natural, cultural and recreational resources within the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The show will remain on display through September 30th, with free admission to the gallery during museum hours. Photos will be available for sale with proceeds benefiting the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
New this year to the GO! program is a series of adaptive kayaking events being offered at Wallum Lake at Douglas State Forest, Douglas, MA. In partnership with All Out Adventures, Blackstone Heritage Corridor is offering four adaptive kayaking events, made possible with funding provided by National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region. Dates include: Tuesday, August 27; Tuesday, September 10; Saturday, September 14; and Tuesday, September 17. This 1.5 hour program is free and open to people with disabilities accompanied by a guest. Space is limited and pre-registration is required at AllOutAdventures.org or 413-584-2052.
Experience the Blackstone River Valley with Special Tours, Walks, Paddles & Festivals
Special kickoff event August 29 at Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket, RI
Celebration is in the air this fall with a handful of festivals planned throughout the valley including the 20th annual Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival, Pawtucket, RI (September 7), the French Heritage Festival in Woonsocket, RI (September 7), the 21st annual Pet Rock Fest, Grafton, MA (September 8), an Apple Festival at Douglas Orchard & Farm, Douglas, MA (September 14), a Green Living Expo, Whitinsville, MA (September 14), PawSox Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival, Pawtucket, RI (September 14), stART on the Street Arts Festival, Worcester, MA (September 15), 13th annual North Smithfield Great Pumpkin Festival, North Smithfield, RI (September 21), and Daniels Farmstead’s Apple Fest, Blackstone, MA (September 22). Still feeling festive? A special “High Tea and Hats” event will celebrate Margo Bik’s famous hat collection on Sunday, September 8 at the GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center, Whitinsville, MA. Guests are encouraged to wear fancy hats and bring a favorite tea cup, though not required. RSVP at HighTeaAndHats.Eventbrite.com.
Interested in geology? A number of special events will explore this topic including Glacial Geology Hikes at Purgatory Chasm, Sutton, MA (September 4, 11 and 18); a hike at Blackstone Gorge, Blackstone, MA (September 5), a Native American Ceremonial Landscape Tour, Upton, MA (September 7), a Geologic History of the Blackstone tour, Lincoln, RI (September 17), Purgatory Chasm Hikes, Sutton, MA (September 7, 14 and 21), and Stone Walls of New England – a talk by author Robert Thorson, Worcester, MA (September 28).
For those intrigued by local history, there are numerous chances to explore, including a new Canal Walk Series presented by Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park (September 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29). The weekly tour will depart from various locations to highlight different parts of the canal’s history and the impact it had in different communities. Other new events that the highlight history of the Blackstone Valley include a Waters Farm interpretive tour, Sutton, MA (September 8), Quinsigamond Village Walking Tour, Worcester, MA (September 15), Precious Blood Cemetery Walk, Woonsocket, RI (September 15) and Explore the Mammoth Mill Ruins, Blackstone, MA/N. Smithfield, RI (September 21). Also new this year, a discussion on King Philip’s War will be held in Worcester, MA (September 20) and a Whitin Village Walking Tour in Whitinsville, MA (September 21). Returning this year is the signature Great Road Day, Lincoln, RI (September 21).
For nature lovers, enjoy new guided hikes at Metacomet Land Trust’s Hop Brook Conservation Area, Blackstone, MA (September 7); Cormier Woods, Uxbridge, MA (September 12), and Cumberland Land Trust’s Mercy Woods, Cumberland, RI (September 15). Also new this year is an Adaptive Hiking event at River Bend Farm, Uxbridge, MA (September 26). For bird lovers, volunteer-led bird walks will be held at Chase Farm, Lincoln, RI (September 21) and Hopedale Parklands, Hopedale, MA (September 28). Night owls might enjoy star gazing Uxbridge, MA (September 13) or a Full Moon Paddle with the Blackstone River Watershed Association in Blackstone, MA (September 14).
Explore the Blackstone Heritage Corridor on your bicycle with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bikeway Ambassadors for guided rides on the Ten Mile River Greenway, E. Providence, RI, (September 19) and the Blackstone River Bikeway, Worcester, MA (September 26). Celebrate National Bike Your Park Day on September 28 with ranger-led rides in Lincoln, RI, and Uxbridge, MA.
GO! 2019 offers a number of family-friendly activities including Geocaching 101, Worcester, MA (September 1), Massachusetts BOGO Weekend at Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon, MA, (September 7 and 8), Whittier Farms Free Tour Friday & Apple Crisp Night in Sutton, MA, (September 13– advance ticket purchase required); Rhode Island and Connecticut BOGO Days at Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon, MA, (September 14 and 15), and Nature Walks with a National Park Service Ranger (September 8, 15 and 22), to name just a few.
Download a full digital copy of Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s GO! 2019 program by clicking here. Printed 48-page guide books will be available at any of the BHC’s visitor centers (for a list click here), at one of the many visitor information kiosks throughout the National Heritage Corridor or at BHC’s office at 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA. Follow Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. on Facebook for news and updates on GO! and more.
About Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor:
An energetic nonprofit, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor partners with organizations, local communities, businesses and residents to ensure the long term vitality of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Learn more at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.