Good morning, Chicopee! 👋
It is shaping up to be a sticky Pioneer Valley summer week. Humid is an understatement. We rounded up what actually happened around the city this past week, plus the Chicopee events worth getting off the couch for over the next seven days. Headlining it all: Chicopee's celebration of America's 250th birthday on Friday.
In today's ChicoPeople:
A new fire chief is officially on the job
A state grant to harden the city's public safety network
Chicopee's America 250 celebration and fireworks this weekend
Let's get to it.
📰 Last Week in Chicopee
🚒 Chicopee swore in a new fire chief. Matthew Cross took over as chief on June 16, the department's first new leader since 2019. A lifelong resident who joined the department in 1996 and made deputy chief in 2015, Cross says his focus is firefighter safety, modernized training and recruitment, and tighter coordination across city departments. He succeeds Daniel Stamborski, who retired after 29 years on the job. Read more →
📡 A $226K state grant will harden the city's emergency network. Chicopee landed a $226,480 Municipal Fiber Grant to build a second, geographically separate fiber line into the Public Safety Building on Church Street. The backup path keeps dispatch, records, and camera systems running if the main line ever fails. It is part of $10.1 million the Healey-Driscoll administration sent to cities across the state. Read more →
🎉 Neighbors marked Father's Day and Juneteenth together. A community celebration on Exchange Street brought folks out on Sunday afternoon to honor both occasions in one gathering.
📅 Events This Week in Chicopee
🎉 Chicopee's America 250 Celebration
Chicopee throws an all-evening party for America's 250th birthday at Szot Park, with food trucks, live music, local vendors, and a free outdoor movie to close out the night. Rain date is Thursday, July 2.
Details: Friday, 4pm to 10pm. Szot Park, Chicopee.
Cost: Free
🎆 Chicopee Fireworks
The America 250 weekend goes out with a bang, with the show lighting up the sky over Szot Park at dusk. Rain date is Sunday, June 28.
Details: Saturday, gates 5:30pm to 6:30pm, fireworks at dusk. Szot Park, Chicopee.
Cost: Free
📜 American Revolution Lecture
Historian Dr. Dan Breen tells the story of Henry Knox's "Noble Train of Artillery" in a free talk that kicks off Chicopee's America 250 programming.
Details: Thursday, 6pm to 7pm. The Hub at Market Square, 31 Springfield St, Chicopee.
Cost: Free
🏍️ Destination Bike Night: Trailer Trash
Week 10 of the summer bike night series brings live music and a lot full of chrome to AMVETS Post 12. Roll in on two wheels or four.
Details: Thursday, 6pm to 9pm. AMVETS Post 12, Chicopee.
Cost: Free to attend
🚙 Children's Miracle Jeep Kruze
A charity Jeep cruise rolls out from METRO Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to benefit the Children's Miracle Network.
Details: Saturday, 9am. METRO Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Chicopee.
Cost: Free to watch, registration fee for Jeep entrants
🃏 Western MA Card Shows
Collectors take over the Knights of Columbus for a day of sports cards, trading, and deals.
Details: Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Knights of Columbus, 460 Granby Rd, Chicopee.
Cost: $5 at the door, kids under 8 free
See more: Get tickets →
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🗣️ Community Question
With a new fire chief settling in, what is the one city service you would most like to see leveled up next? Reply and let us know 👇
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