Published in the June 14, 2019 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Soccer Association turns 50 this year and will hold an anniversary celebration on Sept. 8. In addition to that event, the Wakefield Food Pantry is planning a weekend Soccer Jamboree fundraiser for Aug. 16-18.
Mike Boudreau, who serves on the boards of both organizations, appeared before the Town Council this week to seek approval for the two events.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration will be held on the Galvin Middle School turf fields (Walton and Mullen fields) and the Galvin parking lot from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on Sept. 8, Boudreau said. The two turf fields and the parking lot will be utilized to set up fun events and kid-specific activities, including bubble soccer, corn hole, hula hoop, a kick and score target soccer board, Hacky Sack, miniature golf, face-painting and temporary tattoos, a bouncy house obstacle course, T-shirt giveaways, a photo booth, a dunk tank, a lemonade stand, a slush machine, a coffee station and a farmers market table.
Boudreau estimated that approximately 1,000 to 1,200 children and adults would attend the event. Food and beverages will be provided in the parking lot by local vendors, he said, including Lauries 9:09, the Pit Stop, Lisa’s Pizza, Sonny Noto’s and Farmland. Discussions have already occurred with the Board of Health, Boudreau said. No alcohol will be allowed at the event.
There will be a medical tent on site during the event, Boudreau said, as well a police detail. The DPW will provide additional trash receptacles.
In case of rain, the Americal Civic Center will be booked and as many of the activities as possible will be moved indoors, Boudreau said.
Moving to the benefit Soccer Jamboree, Boudreau said that donations to the Wakefield Food Pantry have been down recently and the idea the idea of a Soccer Jamboree emerged as a way to create an annual signature event to benefit the Food Pantry. Boudreau said that the Food Pantry was the lead organization for the Soccer Jamboree event, but the WSA would assist in any way they can.
For the Aug. 16-18 Soccer Jamboree, the The Food Pantry requested use of the Galvin Middle School turf field complex as well as the Wakefield Memorial High School turf field complex. Boudreau said that the four fields will be used to conduct non-competitive 4v4 soccer games for all age groups, ranging from pre-school to adult. Each team will have three games during the weekend. Each turf field will hold four simultaneous 4v4 games.
Boudreau estimated that the Jamboree would draw roughly 800 to 1,000 players and fans. He said that the Wakefield Food Pantry would be selling basic food at the event (pizza, chips, water, cookies).
He said that the Recreation Department and the WMHS Athletics Department have approved the use of the fields for the Jamboree. He said that event organizers are working with WMHS Trainer Sue Courchesne on staffing medical tents at both sites.
He said that the Food Pantry will check in with the Wakefield Police Department and the DPW in advance of the event.
The Jamboree will move forward rain or shine, except in the event of lightning storms, Boudreau said.
The Town Council granted approval for both events.
