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Friday, August 11, 2017
Hillyer Festival Orchestra headlines Summer Family-owned furniture store continues to thrive on Rt. 1 Concert at Veterans Memorial High
Luke Taber, left, Operations Manager of Bedrooms, is shown with Sales Manager Russell Bastoni, in the children’s furniture showroom.
By Christopher Roberson Shown enjoy a great night together at Sunday’s Summer Concert at Veterans Memorial High School are Brandy Gonzalez, Shannon Guiney, Madi Wood and Jill Jeter. The event was headlined by Hillyer Festival Orchestra, followed by a dazzling fireworks display. See more photos on pages 8 & 9. (Advocate photos by Al Terminiello)
W
hen he was 14 years old, Luke Taber began selling bedroom furniture with his father and has never looked back.
“I love the product, I love what we do; we deliver a lot of kids’ first beds,” said Taber, who is now 37 and the operations manager at Bedrooms
STORE | SEE PAGE 2
International Festival back for 34th year By Christopher Roberson
E
very September since 1983, North Shore residents have enjoyed “the largest exhibition of culture on the North Shore” with Peabody’s International Festival. Mary Bellavance, of Mayor Edward Bettencourt’s Office, said the festival was the brainchild of former Mayor Peter Torigian. “He was all about community programs,” she said. “It was just a way to showcase the different ethnicities we had here in the city.” Bellavance said the festival was originally held in front of City Hall, until its ever-increasing size compelled organizers to move it to Main Street four The North Shore Acappella group is on the docket to perform at this year’s International years ago. “Main Street is ac- Festival, scheduled for Sept. 10. tually much wider than Lowell Street,” said Bellavance. “In the 34 years we’ve run this at the Leather City Common and join us for the biggest and The festival, which is host festival, we’ve never had a at 53 Lowell St. It will include best road race in the city.” to approximately 80,000 each problem,” she said. both a two-mile run/walk and The festival itself will then year, spans from Peabody The weekend-long events a 5k road race. “[It’s] a great be held on Sept. 10 from noon Square to Washington Street. will begin on Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. course for the serious athlete, to 6 p.m. Bellavance said there She said Police Capt. Scott with the Progeria Internation- families and teams,” festival or- will be “60-65” booths this Richards will be in charge of al Race for Research. Race reg- ganizers said in a written state- year, including vendors such public safety again this year. istration will open at 7:45 a.m. ment. “Put your happy feet on as the United Polish Organi-
zation, the Portuguese Continental Union, the Knights of Columbus, and the NexMex Thing. She said a number of Main Street businesses will also be participating for the first time this year. In addition, a number of local artists will have their work on display at the International Festival Galleria on Foster Street. Patrons can also enjoy live ethnic entertainment on both days. Although the final line up has not been confirmed, Bellavance said the event will open with Bona Recreativa Portuguesa as well as North Shore Acappella. The festival will also include the Kid’s Day Celebration on the eastern end of Veterans Memorial Park at 45 Walnut St. That part of the festival will feature a magician, moon bounces, dance demonstrations, music and arts and crafts. “It’s one of the proudest days in the City of Peabody,” said City Council President Joel Saslaw.
FESTIVAL | SEE PAGE 3