150th February Update

Where Can I Find Holyoke 150th Celebration Events?

Holyoke, MA. There are plenty of celebratory events happening in Holyoke all year long, as part of the 150th (sesquicentennial) Anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Holyoke. Did you know that you can find all the Celebratory Events on the Explore Holyoke website at https://www.exploreholyoke.com/. 

“The Explore Holyoke website and calendar listing is the perfect place to start, when you are looking for something fun to do in Holyoke,” says Penni Martorell of Wistariahurst. “It is the one place I always check to see what is going on at various places throughout the city like The Artery, Gateway City Arts, The Public Library, The Children’s Museum and of course Wistariahurst.”

You can view all the upcoming events as a calendar or as a list to see the wide variety of activities from exhibits to viewings. All the details will be right at your fingertips.

On Saturday, February 4, 11:00am – 5:00pm The Artery will be hosting the launch of Postcards for my Future Self, a new mail art project funded by the Holyoke Local Cultural Council, where participants are encouraged to create small, mail-able artworks inspired by what they see in the city of Holyoke. They will have prompts for ideas, materials and instructions. They challenge you to create a postcard inspired by Holyoke using drawing, words, collage, and other means. Where do you want to see Holyoke in a year or in the next 150 years? Visit www.holyokeart.com for details.

Tuesday February 7th from 4:00pm to 7:00 PM, Uno Pizzeria & Grill in the Holyoke Mall will host a Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating Party.  Reservations are required. Kids eat free with purchase of an adult entree.  Visit www.holyokemall.com/event/valentines-day-cookie-decorating-party/.

Thursday, February 9th at 5:30pm at Gateway City Arts.  Join The City of Holyoke for a screening of the ViewPoint, a video highlighting the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts.  Hosted by Denis Quaid these videos highlight cities across the country. The Holyoke viewPoint video highlights our manufacturing as well as our assets as a tourism city. Interviews in the video include Hazen Paper Company, United Paper Box Company, Peoples Bank, the Springdale Dinner/Cajun ladies and both former Mayor Murphy and current Mayor Garcia. The city is excited to release this video during the 150th Celebration of Holyoke. Doors at Gateway City Arts will open at 5:30 and the video will screen at 5:50 with a short speaking program.  

February 6 through February 21 on Monday mornings from 10:30am – 12:30pm and Tuesday evenings from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Wistariahurst is hosting the poster exhibition entitled Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow organized and distributed by the New-York Historical Society Museum and Library. This exhibit chronicles how Black Americans gained new liberties during Reconstruction. However, any strides forward were sabotaged by a repressive racial system known as Jim Crow. Learn about this struggle for equality that took place during these years.

Mark your calendars for the Dedication of City Hall on Thursday April 6 and become part of the city’s celebration.  More details to come as we approach April. The 150th Committee is encouraging everyone who is having an event in Holyoke in 2023 to go Explore Holyoke’s website and register their event so that the event can be considered for placement in Holyoke’s 150th Commemorative Book!!  We would also ask that you email the names of the contact people for your event at Holyoke150@gmail.com. 

Individuals who would like to help with planning these and other events should visit www.exploreholyoke.com/150 and complete the online volunteer form.

Businesses and organizations interested in supporting these milestone celebrations should visit: www.exploreholyoke.com/150 for additional information.

If you are already planning public events for 2023, and would like to be a part of the 150th Celebration’s advertising and  promotions visit www.exploreholyoke.com/150.

To stay informed and up-to-date be sure to engage regularly with www.exploreholyoke.com/150  and follow #Holyoke150.