Kick Off Summer at this Beloved Tradition in Fall River on 6/17

A beloved tradition in Fall River continues with the Kick-Off to Summer Event at Ruggles Park hosted by Greater Fall River Re-Creation.

For the last 30 years, Greater Fall River Re-Creation has been bringing free, family fun to the city every summer, and this year is shaping up to be big.

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What is the Greater Fall River Re-Creation?

“Greater Fall River Re-Creation has been providing services to Fall River for over 50 years, focusing on socioeconomic disadvantaged youth and families in the city,” Director Grace Gerling said.

It is a non-profit recreation and prevention-based organization that provides educational and developmental programs to residents. Its goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the community’s youth to learn, grow, and get involved.

Kick Off to Summer Day at Ruggles Park, June 17

Every year, the organization hosts a community event at Ruggles Park in Fall River, and it’s completely free to all who attend thanks to the help of community funding.

“We’ve been doing it for over 30 years and it’s such a good time," Gerling said. “Each year, we try to add a little bit more. This year we will have a rock wall, alpacas, music and an obstacle course.”

Families can enjoy food, pony rides, face painting, a bounce house, a carnival, games, and even a basketball tournament.

Domino’s Pizza on South Main Street donates pizza every single year, and there will be a number of resource tables setting up shop.

“We invite organizations to attend so they can share their information, and it’s another great way to promote our summer lunch program that we have in 8 city parks, as well as our other summer programs like sailing and tennis.”

Over two-thousand people flock to Ruggles Park each year as families come together to welcome summertime, and Gerling looks forward to another great event on June 17^th.

“I enjoy it year after year and seeing some of the same faces coming and enjoying the event,” she said. “We’ve been running it for so many years, folks expect it now, and it’s really a great time.”

The Kick-Off to Summer at Ruggles Park takes place on Saturday, June 17^th.

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