The second of four Neighborhood Summer Festivals sponsored by Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr. and organized and coordinated by Community Coordinator Maureen Ryan Estes, was held at Lafayette Park on July 31, 2007. The Festivals began as a Neighborhood Council project and have become a corner piece of summer fun in Fall River. They provide an opportunity for neighbors to meet each other in a fun environment, as well as heart-healthy activities and good food. Human service organizations including the Fall River Police Department, the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Massachusetts, Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, South Bay Mental Health, KOOL Smiles Dentistry, Healthfirst, FSA Big friends, Little Friends, Diabetes Association, Inc., SMILES Mentoring, and Community Development Recreation provided activities for children and information for adults. Other festivals were scheduled for August 7th at Maplewood Park and August 14th at Ruggles Park. For further information about these events, contact Community Coordinator Maureen Estes at 508-324-2405. Click here to see pictures of the Abbott Court Festival.
 

(Top row, left) America's Promise Fellow Ine Ogagan paints Holden Thomas' face while Brianna Vasquez looks on. (Top row, center) Dozens join in the water balloon tossing contest on the grass at Lafayette Park. (Top row, right) Patrice Anderson, Keraliz Hernandez and Sumaiya Uee get assistance from Diabetes Association staffer Ginny Senna-Davis in selecting foods for a healthy meal. (Middle row) A team of boys and a team of girls compete in the tug-of-war refereed by emcee Paul Berelli. (Bottom row, left) Eva Moniz races to first place in the sack race with seven-year-old Justin Hebert close behind and Ryan Kennedy on the ground. (Bottom row, center) Ian Matos, Kevin Cabral and Ryan Kennedy watch Bethany Governo in the hula hoop endurance contest. (Bottom row, right) Members of the boys team express their disappointment at losing to the girls team in the tug-of-war contest.