UPDATE: New Fall River venue to host activities, contest, music, vendors, and community giveaways

FALL RIVER, MA – Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition, an initiative supported by the Bristol County Chamber Foundation – a division of One SouthCoast Chamber, is proud to launch Winterbridge, an initiative and a venue. This exciting new program partners arts and culture and the business community to reinvigorate winter activities in downtown Fall River.

One goal of Winterbridge to create a warm gathering space to pause and enjoy the crisp winter weather before or after taking in all downtown Fall River has to offer. For six consecutive weeks, on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, residents and visitors are invited to a curated, safe, seasonal experience featuring outdoor . This new outdoor community event destination located at Gromada Plaza across from City Hall. With artist installations and planned activities, the community is encouraged to come warm up by the fire pits, and relax, and listen to music. Social distancing and appropriate COVID protocols will be observed.

Winterbridge will formally launch on February 19th from 3:00 – 6:00pm. The opening was originally set to take place on February 12th, but has been postponed due to possible below zero wind chill. The Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River will be giving away a Valentine’s-themed craft for children (or those who are young at heart). Coastal Foodshed Mobile Pop-Up Market will offer a new semi-permanent location at Winterbridge, selling locally grown fruits and vegetables and other artisanal food items every Friday evening. In the events of inclement weather, programming will be postponed to Saturday February 13th.

The venue will also include:

— Mass in Motion Fall River with info on HIP and SNAP benefits
— A Special Visit and Photo Op with Bigfoot (YES Bigfoot!) by Tony Medeiros Entertainment
–Herbal Teas and Tonics from Town Farm Tonic in Westport
–Craftyish, across the street on North Main Street will offer free coloring pages, 10% off all sales, and you can take part in their interactive window display, Who Do You Love?

Each week new and exciting programs will take place as a part of Winterbridge.

Winterbridge will also feature a We Love Fall River – downtown window display competition. The contest is kicking off with a call for artists and businesses to partner together and celebrate the city. The Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition (FRACC) is seeking 10 to 15 local artists to participate in the competition. A volunteer committee of community members will review and select the artists who will then be paired with a local business to create a “We Love Fall River” window display. Selected artists will receive a stipend of $500 and have two weeks to install their creations. Once instillation is complete, the community will spend two weeks voting online for their favorite display. The goal of the competition is to build a new bond between the arts and culture and business community, while offering artists space to showcase their creative work. For more information email dtorres@onesouthcoast.com.

Parking will be available in the Government Center lot (accessed via Bedford Street), at the Fall River Chamber of Commerce Building on Anawan Street, and on street parking.

Winterbridge was created under the partnership of The Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition, The City of Fall River/Mayor Coogan’s Office, TDI Mass Development/Viva Fall River, We Love Fall River, One SouthCoast Chamber, and Baycoast Bank.