Circle the Square more walker friendly for ’24

[Ken Krause]

Circle the Square, CACHE’s annual summer street festival, returns for its 13th year on Saturday, June 15, this time with a more walker-friendly layout.

All activities will be centralized in a pedestrian-only area from the Rose Sloane Garden (in front of Metro Credit Union), down Riverside Avenue to River Street and Riverside Plaza. Both Riverside Avenue and River Street (bordering Riverside Plaza) will be closed to traffic, giving festival-goers an opportunity to enjoy all that Circle the Square offers more easily, leisurely, and safely.

“Feedback from previous festivals was that concentrating the event in a smaller, pedestrian-centered area would improve the experience for everyone,” said Laura Brereton, CACHE Programs Director. “We would like to thank the city and local businesses for accommodating our layout changes for 2024 and encourage the entire community to come down to Medford Square on June 15th from 3 to 7 p.m. and enjoy what is going to be a fantastic day.”

There will be continuous activities for people of all ages, plus more than 50 exhibitors including artist vendors selling hand-crafted items, community nonprofit organizations, and local businesses. Browse the festival area to engage in a game of giant chess, participate in community art projects, get your face painted, and search for hidden pinwheels to claim a prize.

When you get hungry, In addition to all of the great restaurants in the Square there will be a Chicken and Rice Guys Food Truck and frozen treats available from CB Scoops. And adults 21+ can enjoy a beer garden from Medford Brewing Company.

Throughout the afternoon, stroll down to Riverside Plaza to enjoy these live performances:

3:00-4:15 - Brass band procession and music by Annie and the Fur Trappers

4:20-4:40 - Dance performances by students from The Dance Studio

4:45-5:10 - Musical theatre review by Spotlight Medford

5:15-5:40 - Martial arts demos by students from Xtreme Ninja

5:45-7:00 - Reggae, funk, and hip hop music from Krush Faktory

Circle the Square is made possible through the support of generous sponsors, businesses and grant givers, including the Medford Arts Council/Mass Cultural Council; Tufts University; Wegmans; School of Rock; Veterinary Urgent Care by Ethos; Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center; The Medford Tax Experts; Middlesex Federal Savings; Medford Plus Credit Union; Goldilox Bagels; Reamigym; Chevalier Theatre/Bill Blumenreich Presents; City of Medford; RE/MAX Andrew Realty  Services; For Pizza; and Rockland Trust Bank.

For the latest information on the day’s schedule, exhibitors, activities and performances, please visit the Circle the Square website.