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Cooling centers to open, Out to Lunch canceled amid heat wave

  • Posted by Worcester News 8 hours ago - Filed in News - #City of Worcester  #Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District  - 63 views


    City of Worcester photos

    WORCESTER — The City of Worcester will open cooling centers Wednesday through Friday as high temperatures are forecast to grip the region, while the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District has postponed this week's Out to Lunch Festival & Farmers' Market because of the expected heat.

    City officials announced cooling centers will be available July 1st to 3rd at several locations, including the Worcester Senior Center, Worcester Public Library's Main Branch, and both YMCA of Central Massachusetts facilities on Main Street and Shore Drive. Water will be available for visitors at each site.

    The Worcester Senior Center, 128 Providence St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. The Worcester Public Library's Main Branch, 3 Salem Square, will operate from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The YMCA of Central Mass., 766 Main St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. all 3 days, while the YMCA's Greendale branch, 75 Shore Drive, will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

    Because of the heat, the city also announced that residential trash collection will begin an hour earlier than normal, starting at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

    Officials urged residents to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity and check on neighbors during the hot weather, noting that prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity can lead to heat-related illness.

    All cooling centers are accessible by the fare-free Worcester Regional Transit Authority bus system, which also provides curb-to-curb A.D.A. transportation.

    The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District also announced it is postponing Wednesday's Out to Lunch Festival & Farmers' Market on the Worcester Common Oval, citing concerns for the safety of attendees, vendors, performers, volunteers and staff.

    The event is expected to be rescheduled for its planned makeup date of Wednesday, September 2nd. Organizers said details about entertainment, vendors and activities for the new date will be announced later.

    Out to Lunch is scheduled to return on Wednesday, July 8th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and continue every Wednesday through September 2nd, featuring live music, food vendors, local produce, artists, makers and community organizations.

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