ORANGE — Tracey Alden of Warwick packs up her homemade products — from tooth powder to herbal teas — every third Thursday of the month this summer and heads to downtown Orange to sell her products. For her, it is essential to connect with her own community in the North Quabbin region.
“I really like coming out here, because I am really dedicated to my local community. … I am really committed to helping people get well here,” she said.
Alden was one of many local merchants, musicians and businesses that headed to downtown Orange for the Third Thursday Street Fair, held during each of the summer months and hosted by the Orange Merchants Group. Brenda Anderson, Trail Head Outfitters and General Store co-owner, organizes the event.
Spread across Alden’s table on the sidewalk are an array of products she makes in her kitchen. She finds one of the most popular products she makes to be the magnesium ones, such as creams and oils.
“That is a product people love and keep coming back for more, because it is just so helpful with chronic pain and restlessness, sleeplessness and anxiety — a lot of things people are dealing with,” she said.
This past Third Thursday Summer Street Fair had a new addition for attendees to visit — the grand opening of The Booth Salon in downtown. Owner Jim Stanley said he planned the event at the same time as the street fair to draw in more members of the community. The Booth Salon held a live radio broadcast, had raffles and handed out free ice cream. About 150 people visited throughout the day, said Stanley, which far exceeded his expectations of the event. For the opening, Stanley said he partnered with other local businesses to offer their products in drawings, including Anne’s Dairy Drive-In and Trail Head.
“Without small businesses sticking together, there is no way we could make it, and I am glad I am in this town so we can further everybody’s success,” he said.
Though Silver Therapeutics, a cannabis dispensary, plans to open in downtown Orange in the fall or early winter, Chief Financial Officer Brendan McKee said the business has already seen a lot of support from the town.
“People will say, ‘I won’t be a customer, but I wish you the best.’ I think they have an understanding of the positive fiscal impact we’ll have,” he said. “We are excited to make a difference and are bringing education and medication.”
McKee stood steps away from where the business plans to build the shop on South Main Street, ready to educate and answer any questions residents of Orange may have about the cannabis dispensary. He said he’s attended each summer street fair, and hopes to get a better understanding of what the local community wants.
Just outside of Trail Head, Kathryn Johnson, Anderson’s mother, was selling “Castle Rock” paraphernalia and handing out information regarding local viewing parties for the release of the Hulu series on Wednesday. She said she has been following the show’s development since it began filming last year.
“I am not crazy about Stephen (King), but I would like to see how it all falls together,” said Johnson.
Trail Head has been selling various “Castle Rock” products from mugs, T-shirts, hats, coffee and salsa.
Vendors from the Orange Farmers Market gathered materials and headed to the street fair after closing the market, held in the Orange Armory parking lot, for the afternoon. The market goes from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday. Assistant Manager Mary Holtorf of Sweet Cottage Farm in Athol was selling her homemade fudge and bread as she stood in the sun on the sidewalk facing South Main Street during the street fair.
“I figured since I am out and I have everything, I might as well come up here for a little bit,” she said. “It is fun, and the barbecue is so good.”
All the way from Worcester, Uncle E’s BBQ Express stopped in Orange for the afternoon to cook up everything from sausages to barbecue pork ribs. Outside of the food truck, music filled the air and residents sat near the Millers River and enjoyed the strums of guitar as the sun set on the warm summer evening.
Third Thursday Street Fairs will continue through August.