Fairhaven’s Massive Summer Arts Festival Is Back With a Surprising Global Twist

The Full Bloom Summer Arts Festival at Cushman Park in Fairhaven is now in its sixth year. The free event will take place on Sunday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Founders Samantha Dungca and Alexis Costa of Soulflower Yoga and Wellness in Fairhaven stopped by Townsquare Sunday to promote the festival and explain a unique charitable connection this year.

"When we started with this, we certainly stressed yoga and wellness, but there has been an evolution, with more emphasis on music and art," Costa said. "It's become a staple in the community and we're really happy to bring it back for a sixth year."

The festival begins at 10 a.m. with a "Yoga for Charity" event, and yoga enthusiasts from all over the region are invited to take part. Musical performances will start at noon and run until 8 p.m.

Music, Food, and Family Fun at Cushman Park

The organizers said there will be plenty of activities for kids as well, including a bouncy house, obstacle course, face painting, and more. There will also be a reptile showcase, vendors, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden.

Supporting the Sound of a Smile Charity

The Full Bloom Festival is supporting the "Sound of a Smile" charity this year.

"Sound of a Smile is a nonprofit that started about 10 years ago here in Massachusetts," Dungca said. "They specifically help with redevelopment and youth development in a village in South Africa. They've created a youth center, after-school programs, soup kitchens, and community gardens. In the last three years, they have refurbished or built 140 homes."

Visitors to the festival can purchase tickets to take part in a giant raffle that will feature African art and more. Dungca said that in January, a group from the SouthCoast will make a mission trip to South Africa to check out the work of Sound of a Smile.

Get our free mobile app

Lessons From Six Years of Full Bloom

What have Costa and Dungca learned over the past six years of putting on the Full Bloom Festival?

"It takes a village to make things like this work," Dungca said.

"You can have expectations and plans, but the people who show up that day truly are what makes the event so special," Costa said.

If you want your nonprofit featured on Townsquare Sunday, email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.