MetroFest Returns To Framingham September 26

MetroFest, a regional arts, music, and food truck festival, returns to Bowditch Athletic & Cultural Complex on Saturday, September 26, with two dozen varied food trucks, 100 exhibitors, kids activities, musical headliners, and enhancements new to this year’s event.

Intended to showcase the region’s arts, culture, and commerce in an affordable and family-friendly atmosphere, MetroFest utilizes the entire quarter-mile-long, enclosed complex with two food truck areas, two stages, bounce houses, and exhibitor booths circling the running track and dotting the entire area.

MetroFest debuted in 2014 and is a program of the MetroWest Visitors Bureau, a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to stimulating the region’s economy by raising visibility for the area’s cultural, historic, culinary, hospitality, retail, and recreation offerings. Organizations hailing from 27 municipalities are participating in MetroFest 2015.

More than 7,500 people attended the first MetroFest last September; this year, organizers are planning for as many as 10,000 people to enjoy this year’s enhancements for the six-hour festival, which runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Framingham Patch and Petroni Media Company have teamed up with MetroWest Visitors Bureau to give away a pair of tickets every weekend until the Sept. 26 event. More details below!

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The popular KidsTown area will be expanded to include new activities, including an enclosed gaming truck and American Girl’s Red Carpet, where attendees can have their photo snapped with their own doll or with American Girl dolls on-hand.

Organizers have applied to the Town of Framingham for a license to hold a beer- and wine-tasting at the event.

A new crowd-creation activity will involve hundreds, if not thousands, of festival-goers who will help paint pieces of two huge murals celebrating the MetroWest region. After the completed murals’ are unveiled during the festival, they will serve as traveling exhibits throughout the year.

The expanded number of exhibitor spaces are already filled with a variety of cultural and community groups, crafters, and a limited number of retailers specific to the region. Groups interested in showcasing their organization in a 10’ x 10’ exhibitor space may apply to be put on a waitlist.

To ensure that MetroFest is affordable to families, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau has set ticket prices as $7 for adults, $3 for ages 5-12, and no fee for children under 5.

All activities at the festival are free; attendees may purchase their own food and beverages.

Event organizers will provide free, handicapped-accessible shuttles to four parking areas, including nearby school lots, throughout the day. Many other lots surrounding the complex are within walking distance.

“We want this event to be as accessible and affordable as possible for guests, whether they live nearby or are coming from outside the region,” said Annie Murphy, chair of the MWVB board of directors. “A family of four can have an entire day of fun for $20.”

The first 500 purchasers of online tickets will receive a special Natick Mall canvas bag.

MetroFest is also offering a special children’s ticket for $8, which includes an American Girl gift bag.

Tickets are available online.

“The business community has been incredibly supportive of this effort to showcase the region’s arts, culture, and other assets,” said Susan Nicholl, executive director of the MetroWest Visitors Bureau. “Two dozen sponsors, including some nonprofit organizations, are providing financial support to ensure that the festival’s expenses are met. Many others are providing in-kind support to help us defray expenses.”

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Framingham Patch and Petroni Media Company have teamed up with MetroWest Visitors Bureau to give away a pair of tickets every weekend until the Sept. 26 event.

To enter this week’s giveaway post in the comment section below or on the Framingham Patch Facebook page post, which food truck was your favorite last year or what was the most favorite thing you ate last year or if you did not attend the festival tell us which food truck you hope to see at the September event.

Deadline to enter is Friday, August 28 at 11:59 p.m. Winner will be selected at random by Petroni Media Company.

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Click here to see a slideshow of photos from the inaugural MetroFest in 2014.

Click here to view photos and videos from last year’s musical acts at MetroFest 2014.

Major sponsors include MetroWest Medical Center, Distinctive Hospitality Group, Align Credit Union, Needham Bank, American Girl, and CBS Radio.

Supporting sponsors include Ameresco, Bose, Doctors Express, ERA Key Realty, Fitts Insurance, Great Wolf Lodge, Jack’s Abby Brewing, James Hardie, Leaf Filter, Learning Center for the Deaf, Middlesex Savings Bank, Natick Center Cultural District, Natick Mall, Palettes, Planet Aid, Renewal by Andersen, Solar Flair Energy Inc., The TJX Companies, Wayside Inn, Wexler Chiropractic, and Wegmans.

Supporting Sponsorships are no longer available, but other sponsorship and visibility opportunities can be secured by calling Michele Marotta at 508-308-5843.

Nicholl also pointed out that various Town of Framingham departments, especially Parks & Recreation, have been instrumental colleagues in the event’s planning and implementation. In addition, MetroWest Regional Transportation Authority and various other town governments are partnering on the event.

As the only regional organization with the mission of stimulating the MetroWest economy, the Bureau has served many hundreds of businesses, nonprofit agencies, and municipalities since its launch in December of 2011. This independent nonprofit organization markets the region’s cultural and recreational venues, retailers, restaurants, accommodations, and educational and other services to visitors and residents alike. The organization’s office is in Hopkinton, but is in the process of moving back to Framingham.