Six Fun Things to Do in Worcester This Summer

Summertime, and the living is easy. In June, July, and August, opportunities abound in Worcester for recreation, cultural enrichment, music, sports, and much more. Here are just six of the many fun things to do in the city during the summer of 2008.

1. Take yourself out to the ballpark. The Worcester Tornadoes, a professional Can-Am League team, has opened its fourth season at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field on the Holy Cross campus. Visit http://www.worcestertornadoes.com/ for a complete schedule of games.

2. Enjoy a big, fat Greek weekend. From June 6 to 8, St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, will present its biennial Grecian Festival, which includes traditional live bands, Greek dances, an art and photo exhibit, tours of the cathedral and a living museum of ancient Greek history. The biggest draw, of course, is the food. Specialties include souvlaki (skewered, marinated lamb and chicken), spanakopita (spinach pie), gyro sandwiches, and much more. Opa!

3. Rev up your engines and drive on over to the Summer Nationals. Organizers claim the event, which drew 200,000 car enthusiasts last year, is the largest automotive show on the East Coast. The three-day event is set for the Fourth of July weekend.

4. Celebrate the nation’s birthday with a dazzling fireworks display. The City of Worcester’s annual Independence Day festivities, held on Shrewsbury Street’s Cristoforo Columbo Park on July 3, includes food and novelty vendors and a performance by the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra.

5. Take in Shakespeare under the stars. Redfeather Theatre is presenting two productions in July and August — A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night — as part the Worcester Summer Shakespeare Festival in the Memorial Grove Amphitheatre at Green Hill Park. Redfeather Theatre is a professional acting troupe in residence at Holy Cross.

6. Rock out with Nine Inch Nails or sing along with this year’s American Idols at Worcester’s DCU Center. NIN frontman Trent Reznor and company will make their only Massachusetts stop at the DCU Center on Aug. 8. One day later, this year’s top ten contestants of the uber-popular “American Idol” TV show, will also be making their only Massachusetts stop. (And, yes, winner David Cook will be performing. Cue shrieks.)

Related Information:

• Word on Worcester