Fall River to Host ‘Census Weekend’ in July

According to a recent press release, Fall River will host a “Census Weekend” from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26. “Planned by the Mayor’s U.S. Census Task Force in partnership with United Way of Greater Fall River and Citizens for Citizens, Inc., Census Weekend will provide safe activities for the Fall River community while stressing the importance of the U.S. Census.”

A press conference will be held at 11 am on Friday, July 24, where the Mayor will discuss the importance of responding to the Census and its impact on the city. Translators will provide the message in Spanish and Portuguese, as well.
Members of the U.S. Census Task Force will set up tables in city parks throughout the weekend with informational material and iPads, which will allow residents to fill out the Census digitally.

A table will be set up in Bicentennial Park on Friday, July 24 from 4 to 8 pm, serving as the kick-off to Census Weekend. Census merchandise and Del’s Lemonade will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Similar events will occur in Lafayette Park on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26 from 12 to 4 pm.

On Saturday, July 25 from 9 to 11 am, the U.S. Census Task Force will be supporting the rescheduled Citywide Clean-up. Locations are to be determined based on the number of participants. Interested individuals or organizations should reach out to Elaina Pevide at epevide@fallriverma.org or 508-324-2600.

The highlight of Census Weekend will be a Drive-In viewing of Toy Story 4 on Saturday, July 25 from 8 to 10:30 pm. Guests should enter Durfee High School’s West Main parking lot on Ray Street starting at 7 pm, where they will be led to socially distant parking sites. The cost is $5 per car and the event is on a first-come, first-serve basis with the expectation that the lot will be filled before the film’s start. To allow for social distancing, participants will have space alongside their car where they may bring blankets and chairs. Snacks will be available for purchase and bathrooms will be available inside Durfee High School.

For all Census Weekend events, Mayor Coogan and the U.S. Census Task Force will be following safety protocols and insist that all participants do the same. Masks, frequent sanitization, and social distancing will be mandatory for event staff and all residents in attendance.

The City is proud to partner with Citizens for Citizens, Inc. and The United Way of Greater Fall River’s “United We Count. United We Vote.” campaign in recognition of their ongoing efforts to support the Census in Fall River.

Meg Rogers is the Communications Coordinator at United Way of Greater Fall River and she states that “United Way of Greater Fall River is happy to partner with Mayor Coogan’s office to promote Fall River Census Weekend. We want everyone in Greater Fall River to fill out their census and be counted! The 2020 Census helps bring funding, resources, and representation to our community. ‘United We Count. United We Vote.’ is the United Way worldwide initiative for census and registering to vote this year.”
Please contact Elaina Pevide in Mayor Paul E. Coogan’s office if you have any questions: epevide@fallriver.org or 508-324-2600.