ATHOL – As this afternoon comes to a close, the community’s downtown will be abuzz with activity for the Fourth Friday Festival.

The festival, which kicked off in late May, will hold its next event this evening from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be a number of vendors joining downtown merchants on Main Street, with all of the action taking place between Exchange and Island streets.

Diane DiPietro, owner of Tintagels Gate/Flowerland and a member of the Downtown Vitality Committee, said Friday’s celebration will have a “Schools Out for Summer” theme. Music will be provided by Scott Savoy, and magician Peter Niall will add to the entertainment. All parking for the event is in the municipal lots.

The event will also benefit for the Athol Animal Shelter and donations of dog and cat food, cat litter, blankets, and towels will be accepted. The shelter booth will be located in front of the building that once housed Piece by Piece Home Collections at 500 Main St. Cash donations will also be accepted. The shelter will be accepting donations at every Fourth Friday through August.

“The August Fourth Friday is in their honor,” said DiPietro. “We’re calling it the ‘Dog Days of Summer.’ We also have people bringing animals (tonight). We have a lady bringing a horse. We’ve got a ginormous tortoise coming—we have snakes. The horses will be down in front of D’Ambrosio (Eye Care), and the snakes will be just up from that.”

DiPietro did request that anyone bringing a pet to muzzle and leash it, since Friday’s event will include live music, as well as a dance class by the YMCA.

“There’s a lot going on and it can be a lot for a dog,” she said.

Children will find lots of activities planned for the festival, said DiPietro.

“Starett is having stuff for the kids,” she said. “And there are a couple of booths that have activities for the children. I also think Mary (Holtorf) is bringing sidewalk chalk, so everybody can doodle in the street as well.”

Despite predictions of showers, DiPietro is hopeful for a good turnout. She said the first Fourth Friday festival in June was the best attended.

“Bring an umbrella,” she advised. “Some of the vendors will put a tent up and cover their stuff. But I’m just going to pray for it not to rain from 4 to 7.”

Vendors, businesses, and community groups at tonight’s festival include: YMCA/Camp Wiyaka/Camp Selan, Friends of Athol Public Library, DCF/Foster MA, Athol Credit Union, Nubia Beauty, Brushfeather Creations, Tintagels Gate/Flowerland, Boy Scout Troop 40, Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant, Ken’s Legacy, Déjà vu Women’s Consignment, Workers Credit Union, Wanda Ramos Art, Sweet Cottage Farm, Never Grow Up Videos, Nerdy Kid Designs, Athol Town Democratic Committee, S&S Appliance, Love Me Like a Reptile, Community Health Center of Franklin County, Cornerstone Drafts (horses), North Quabbin Community Coalition, Fun Fancy Beauties, Seven Hills Family Services, Privilege 351 (barber), Peter Philip Niall (magician), Ed’s Dream Dogs (hot dogs), Leaf Filter, Miss Money Dance Studio, Pre K Kidz, Music by Scott Savoy, Rabbit Hut, WS Homemade Products, Clean Slate Medical Center, North Quabbin Animal Shelter, Athol Town Energy, Starett Memorial Church, Athol House of Pizza and AHS 2026.

The remaining Fourth Friday invents include: July 28 – Shark Fest, with music from Jared Moore and Aug. 25 – Dog Days, with entertainment from Water’s Edge.

For more information, visit the festival’s Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/hbnfpbzw.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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