Festival Looks to Bring Life to Haines Square

Nancy Campobasso's business is in Haines Square, but even many of her customers don't know it.

"I ask people, 'do you know what square we're in?' and they say 'no,'" Campobasso, owner of Nancy's Hair at Angles, said.

Campobasso and other business owners in Haines Square - Located around the intersection of Salem Street and Spring Street - are looking to change that.

Along with Eddigan's owner Paul Russo, Campobasso has led the way in coordinating the first Haines Square Fall Festival on Oct. 15.

The idea started about five months ago when Russo started trying to offer some sidewalk arts outside his shop.

"We put our heads together and came up with this," Campobasso said.

Campobasso's business has been open a little over a year; she sees the area as a place that's fallen on troubled times, but has a lot of potential.

"The square fell deep into drugs a couple of years ago, we're trying to bring the square back - and we're getting there," she said. "We thought this would be a great way to bring people out to the area."

They've had the help of the Medford Farmers Market and State Representative Paul Donato, a native of Haines Square.

Nearly 40 vendors have signed up for the festival, offering face painting, live music, arts and crafts, and other family-oriented activities.

It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking will be available in the Johnny's Foodmaster parking lot. A rain date is set for Oct. 16.

The event is one of a series in the Medford on the Mystic Arts Festival, which runs the entire month of October.

Businesses interested in a vendor's table should contact Campobasso at nancycampobasso@aol.com.