Family-friendly music festival at Lilac Hedge Farm raises funds and awareness for youth in foster care

On Sunday, May 17, CASA Project Worcester County (CASA) and Cinch I.T. hosted the third annual CASA Palooza, an all-ages music festival, at Lilac Hedge Farm. The 2026 event was a record-breaking success, raising more than $9,000, thanks to the generosity of event sponsors, partners, vendors, community supporters, and festival goers. Proceeds from CASA Palooza support CASA’s mission of advocating for the best interests of vulnerable youth, amplifying their voices in juvenile court, and supporting them holistically as they navigate the child welfare system.

The event highlighted the strength of our Worcester County communities, bringing together families, local businesses, musicians, and community members for a day of live music, entertainment, food, and activities.
Keith Pettit, event founder and Regional Account Manager at Cinch I.T., the presenting sponsor of CASA Palooza, said, “CASA Palooza is all about bringing the community together, and I am incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we have received. It is exci ting to see the event continue to grow year after year, helping CASA expand its impact and further its mission.”

The festival featured live performances from local bands and musicians throughout the day, including the final performance of local favorite and CASA Palooza Headliner, Between the Waves. The event’s lineup also included FM Radio, The Earthmen, Futon Lasagna, and Brevity. Local food and beverages, raffle prizes, games, face painting, crafts, animal encounters, small business vendors, and more fostered an atmosphere that appealed to attendees of all ages.

Julie Bowditch, Executive Director of CASA, shared “I am proud of the collaborative effort that made this event such a success! CASA Palooza is intended to feel joyful, inclusive, and community-centered, and each year it continues to grow into something even more meaningful. We are grateful to foster this shared space with Worcester County.”

CASA Palooza was made possible thanks to the generosity of Cinch I.T.; Lilac Hedge Farm; Munq; Love, Tito’s; American Flatbread Worcester; Southbridge Credit Union; Adam M. Beaudry, CPA, LLC; Braised Food Truck; Hero Visuals; Nicole Wilhelmi Photography; Phil Smith Photography; Prentice Visual Media; Prince Lobel & Tye; Storage Plus Self Storage; Artful Face & Henna Hues; Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company; Sam’s Stems; Surfside; and Wegmans.

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts is seeking eligible homebuyers for three affordable homes currently under development at 416 Great Road in Acton. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend an information meeting on Thursday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m. at Acton Town Hall to learn more about eligibility requirements, the application process, and this unique homeownership opportunity. Additional information meetings will also be offered for prospective applicants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

En Espanol:

 

Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) and Fitchburg State University (FSU) proudly invite the community to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the beloved local television program Barbara & You with a special Golden Anniversary Show featuring a live studio audience.

The Barbara & You 50th Golden Anniversary Show & Series Finale will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Weston Auditorium, 353 North Street, Fitchburg, MA on the campus of Fitchburg State University. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. for a Meet ‘N Greet and Autograph session with Barbara, and the show taping begins at 11:00 a.m.

Hosted by Barbara Foster, Barbara & You has been a staple of local television programming for five decades, bringing community voices, stories, and personalities into viewers’ homes throughout the region. The anniversary celebration will honor Barbara’s remarkable dedication and longstanding impact on community media as she takes the stage for the final time!

Community members from the region and beyond are encouraged to attend the live taping and help recognize this extraordinary 50-year milestone. Admission is free, and the public is welcome to attend. Guests are encouraged to RSVP in advance at www.fatv.org/barbara

Parking will be available in Fitchburg State University parking areas 8, 9, and 11, including the Upper Weston, Lower Weston, and Ross Street lots. A map of the campus is available on the Eventbrite page and is accessible through the link above.

This special event is sponsored by Fitchburg Access Television and hosted by Fitchburg State University.

For more information and details, please contact FATV at (978) 343-0834, email or visit www.fatv.org/barbara

All One Credit Union (formerly known as Leominster Credit Union) will hold a Shred-A-Thon at its 20 Adam Street, Leominster MA location on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 9:00AM – Noon.

Members and non-members can get rid of old, sensitive documents by shredding and recycling them at the Shred-A-Thon. All items will be shredded on site by a secure shredding service, New England Security Shredders.

Members of the community can bring up to three legal size file boxes or three 13-gallon kitchen trash bags to be shred for free. However, we will be accepting donations for Habitat for Humanity during the event. The Shred-A-Thon helps raise awareness about recycling and of course the importance of shredding personal documents to protect against identity theft.

Important documents to bring to the Shred-A-Thon include bank statements, tax returns, medical bills, credit card statements and other personal documents.

For more information contact Joanne Lattanzi, VP/Marketing .

Rollstone Bank & Trust is proud to announce a $100,000 sponsorship of the Fitchburg Art Museum. The gift will ensure that every visitor to FAM can experience the Museum free of charge through 2029, the final year of FAM’s Centennial celebration.

“Rollstone Bank has been part of this community for 180 years, and supporting the Fitchburg Art Museum’s mission to make art accessible to everyone is exactly the kind of investment we believe in,” said Rollstone President and COO Mary Beth Jokela. “As both FAM and Rollstone mark milestone anniversaries, we are proud to help open the Museum’s doors, free of charge, to every family, student, and neighbor in our region. Art and culture are at the heart of a thriving community, and we are honored to play a role in FAM’s next century.”

 

FAM Director Nick Capasso expressed deep gratitude for the partnership. The Museum, founded in 1925 and the only art museum in North Central Massachusetts, currently serves approximately 14,000 visitors annually. With free admission now in place, FAM expects that number to grow significantly during the Centennial period, running from 2026 through 2029, as all financial barriers to attendance are removed.

“The Fitchburg Art Museum’s new free admission policy is based on the strongly held belief that a community-oriented art museum should work to make our mission and programs as accessible as possible to everyone, just like public libraries,” said Capasso. “Rollstone Bank has been a longtime corporate member and community partner. Together, we are thrilled to offer this special gift to our community to celebrate our institutional anniversaries.”

Prior to the launch of the free admission program, roughly 45% of visitors were already admitted free through various categorical programs. Rollstone’s sponsorship replaces that complexity with a single, unambiguous commitment to universal access: one consistent with both institutions’ deep roots in Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts.

As the exclusive sponsor of the Free Admission for All program, Rollstone Bank & Trust will be recognized across FAM’s website, print materials, social media, lobby signage, and at public events through 2029, and will receive Corporate Membership benefits at the Patron level for the duration of the sponsorship.

The Fitchburg Art Museum’s Centennial celebration will feature major exhibitions, special programming, and community events including the current “FESTIVAL: A Celebration of African Art” and “Kaleidoscope: 100 Years of Collecting for Our Community.”

About Rollstone Bank & Trust
Founded in 1846, Rollstone Bank & Trust is a trusted community banking partner committed to strengthening the financial well-being of individuals, families, and businesses throughout North Central Massachusetts. Headquartered in Fitchburg, MA, the Bank provides a full range of personal and business banking services through multiple community banking locations. Guided by a long-standing tradition of service, relationships, and local investment, Rollstone Bank & Trust is dedicated to helping communities thrive. Alongside Newburyport Bank and Pentucket Bank, Rollstone Bank & Trust is supported by River Run Bancorp, MHC. With collective assets of $3.6 billion, River Run ensures shared strength and resources in support of our banks and the communities they serve.

About the Fitchburg Art Museum

The Fitchburg Art Museum is the leading cultural institution in North Central Massachusetts. Founded in 1925, FAM plays a vital role in the cultural life of the region and is committed to community access and service. FAM uses its artistic and educational resources to aid in the economic revitalization of Fitchburg, and the Museum maintains active educational partnerships with the local school systems, as well as Fitchburg State University. FAM is located at 185 Elm Street, Fitchburg, MA. For more information, visit fitchburgartmuseum.org or call 978.345.4207.