Broadway Street Event Returns for 17th Year

The City of Somerville said on May 18 that SomerStreets: Carnaval will return to East Somerville on Sunday, June 7, with Broadway turned into a car-free festival zone for four hours. The event is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. along Broadway between Pennsylvania Avenue and McGrath Highway, with a rain date of June 14. City officials said the program will include music, movement, food, family activities, local vendors and live performances. East Somerville Main Streets and the Somerville Arts Council are presenting the event as part of the city’s SomerStreets series. ### When and where will Broadway close for the festival? Sunday, June 7, is the scheduled date for SomerStreets: Carnaval, according to the City of Somerville and East Somerville Main Streets. The festival footprint runs along Broadway from Pennsylvania Avenue to McGrath Highway in East Somerville, and organizers said the roadway will be used as an open-air event space during the 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. program. (somervillema.gov) June 14 is listed as the severe weather or rain date. The city describes SomerStreets as an annual series of free, family-friendly “open streets” events that close major roadways to vehicle traffic and open them for walking, biking, music, play and community activities. ### What is SomerStreets: Carnaval supposed to feature this year? (somervillema.gov) The City of Somerville said this year’s Carnaval will include music, movement, food, family activities, local vendors and performances centered on East Somerville. East Somerville Main Streets said the event is meant to highlight the East Somerville business district and bring together neighbors, businesses and visitors through live music, food and family-friendly activities inspired by cultures from around the world. (somervillema.gov) Mayor Jake Wilson said in the city announcement that the event celebrates “the cultures, businesses, families, artists, and neighbors” that make the community dynamic. The city said the program will open with a Brazilian-style procession featuring Grooversity and Samba Viva, followed by live entertainment and food vendors through the afternoon. (somervillema.gov) ### Who is organizing it, and what does “17th year” refer to? East Somerville Main Streets and the Somerville Arts Council are listed as the presenters or co-producers of the June 7 event. Patch’s Somerville listings described the festival as returning for its 17th year, while the city identifies Carnaval as one installment in the broader SomerStreets series of neighborhood street festivals. (somervillema.gov) The available event pages do not spell out the full historical count in detail, but they do describe Carnaval as an annual East Somerville celebration on Broadway. Based on the city and organizer listings, the event is being staged again as the opening SomerStreets festival of the season. ### What should residents and visitors expect on the day? (patch.com) Broadway traffic between Pennsylvania Avenue and McGrath Highway will give way to festival crowds during the event hours, based on the route published by organizers. That means people heading through East Somerville should expect detours, pedestrian traffic and a street setup built around performances, food and family activities rather than normal vehicle access. (somervillema.gov) The city said SomerStreets events are designed as free public gatherings. Organizers have framed Carnaval as a neighborhood celebration with local businesses and community groups visible along the route, rather than a ticketed concert or fenced admission event. ### Where can vendors, nonprofits and volunteers look for sign-ups? (somervillema.gov) East Somerville Main Streets said it is preparing for Carnaval and will share more information through its website. The group said participation forms for vendors, nonprofit organizations and volunteers “will be released shortly,” and directed interested participants to its site for applications and updates. (somervillema.gov) The City of Somerville said additional SomerStreets information is available through the Somerville Arts Council. City officials also said people with disabilities can request accommodations through the ADA coordinator in advance of the event. June 7 at 2 p.m. is the next public milestone for the event, with Grooversity and Samba Viva scheduled to lead the opening procession if the festival proceeds on its planned date. (eastsomervillemainstreets.org) (somervillema.gov)