After getting their faces painted, Bruna Oliveira, 7, and Maria Silva, 6, choose which sand art design they's like to create.
Hudson – Compared to last year's rainy day, the recent heat wave was acceptable weather for the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce's 27th annual Hudson Community Fest, held June 1 on South Street and nearby downtown locations. The Highland City Striders started the day with the first Finnegan's Fantastic Five Road Race to benefit the Hudson Elks Scholarship Fund. Festivities continued with live entertainment, vendors, refreshments, and information booths for nonprofit organizations. Concurrently, the Hudson Rotary Club held its 23rd annual Lucky Duck Race with cash prizes for its winners.
Photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.
Over 300 runners start the first Finnegan's Fantastic Five Road Race, presented by Highland City Striders. Hudson resident Jacob LeBlanc finished first overall in 17:06. The first-place female was Hudson resident Christy Carrera in 20:15. A 2K walk followed with over 30 participants. Proceeds go to the Hudson Elks Scholarship Fund.Youngsters ages 2 to 6 start the first Mighty Mite Marathon, a free 26.2-yard sprint. All finishers received a commemorative ribbon.Cameron Carvalho, 3, dances to live music performed by the L&M Rhythm Kings at the Avidia Stage.The Fiddling Thomsons perform at the Avidia Stage, sponsored by Avidia Bank.Sarah Brandao, 6, and her sister, Deborah, 3, play together in the Splash Pad.Isabella Fernandes, 21 months, and her sister, Emanuelle, 9, along with Natalie Mollica, 9, ride the trackless train.Members of the Hudson Rotary Club dump over 3,000 numbered rubber ducks from the Washington Street Bridge into the Assabet River. Ducks floated to the finish line at the Broad Street Bridge.Rotarians (back to front) George Mongeau and Marty Lisby rescue rubber ducks that got snagged at the construction of the Houghton Street Bridge.Rotarians are set to retrieve the first-place duck, which won $1,500 for Jenn Durmak. Four more winners received cash prizes. Proceeds go to scholarships and community projects.Gabriel Jacobs, 3, is happy to get relief from the heat in the Splash Pad.Gabriel Santos, 5, completes his ice cream treat before it melts.Singing at the Cellucci Park gazebo are Brooke Mega and Lexi Hire of Camerata, a Hudson High School a cappella group.Lara Avelar, 2, waves an American flag she received as a souvenir of the festival.Ryan Budiansky, 4, runs through the Splash Pad at Cellucci Park.
