Summer Stroll Returns This Friday: Bigger and Better Than Ever!
By Ellen Putnam
Last year's Summer Stroll
Melrose’s favorite July event, the Summer Stroll, returns to Main Street this Friday evening from 6-9pm. Now in its 12th year, the evening will feature live music and special offerings and promotions from the businesses along Main Street.
As in previous years, Main Street will be closed to traffic during the event, allowing residents and visitors to stroll down the street and enjoy the music, savor a special meal or a drink, and just spend time together. And many stores will stay open late so visitors can shop and take advantage of special promotions, samples, and raffles.
Attendees might choose to eat at an outdoor table at familiar restaurants like Rising Eagle, Turner’s or Mexico Lindo, or they can get something to go - pizza, tacos, or poke - and eat it outside on Main Street. Buckalew’s will be serving up Greek food outside the store (and hosting tastings inside) and The Kitchen is partnering with Hugo’s to make smash burgers on the appliance store’s Blackstone grill.
While the Summer Stroll event may be focused on the section of Main Street that will be closed during the event (from Grove Street to Essex Street) visitors shouldn’t miss things happening at the new boutique in the Salon International and at Molly’s Bookstore, and Hannah’s Brewing will be open and pouring during and after the event. Visitors can also look forward to seeing a local artist display their work in the Modern Legacy Law Group offices.
Stephanie Nelson, right, at last year's Summer Stroll
Photo Credit: Nancy Clover
There will be live music at four different locations on the street, featuring a variety of musical styles. The Oren Santillo Jazz Collective, featuring Melrose’s young jazz prodigy and his friends, will be playing all evening at City Hall. Violet & Co, a new favorite on Melrose’s jazz scene, will be playing at the tent on Eastman Place from 6:00-7:10, followed by singers from the Polymnia Choral Society from 8:00-8:30.
Melrose-based DJ Frixx, who has created a lively atmosphere in his part of Main Street at previous Summer Strolls, will be playing hip-hop and Afrobeat at Larrabee Way all evening. Dance Tracks will give performances at Larrabee Way and Eastman Place. And the tent on West Foster Street in front of the Knights of Columbus will feature The Mesh Tones, a group formed from some of the musicians who frequent the open mic nights at the Knights of Columbus.
One new addition to this year’s Stroll is an after-party hosted at the Knights of Columbus, featuring more live music, drinks at the bar, and an air-conditioned space. “Every year, we start breaking down the tents at 8:45,” reflected Stephanie Nelson, the Executive Director of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce and the Summer Stroll’s chief organizer. “People say, ‘It’s still so early! Now where do we go?’ Last year, there was an impromptu gathering in front of the Knights, and the feedback was phenomenal, so we decided to make it an official event this year. I’m really excited about it - I think it’s a nice addition.”
Last year's Summer Stroll
Photo Credit: Nancy Clover
This year, Summer Stroll attendees can also make a difference in the community while they enjoy themselves. The Food Drive is hosting a Summer Stock food drive in collaboration with a number of local businesses and organizations to help support Melrose’s two food pantries during the summer months, when donations are often slower. Both pantries have made a list of what items they each need the most.
Participants can bring pantry staples for Pantry of Hope to Buckalew’s, or personal care and household items for A Servant’s Heart to The Beauty Cafe. While signing up ahead of time to bring goods is encouraged, community members are also welcome to contribute on the spur of the moment. “If someone comes to Summer Stroll without anything to donate,” Nelson pointed out, “they can always pop over to Shaw’s, buy something, and throw it in the bucket. It’s a great addition to the event and a way to make people feel good and help out the community.”
“This is such a beloved event,” Nelson reflected, “it’s the ultimate in pulling our community together and featuring all our favorite businesses. It’s such a lovely night to mingle with neighbors, try out a new restaurant - it’s one of my favorites.”
“We’re expanding on the different types of music we’re going to have,” she went on, “We’re giving exposure to businesses and organizations who haven’t been at the Summer Stroll before. It’s going to be a great night.”