‘Summer on Strong’ event returns to Northampton

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - One of the best block parties in western Mass is making its return right on time for the warm weather making its way into our area.

It was a gorgeous afternoon for the Summer on Strong kick-off for summer 2024. We caught up with folks enjoying their afternoon dining experience who told us how they enjoyed Northampton’s first block party of the season.

Resident Sora Candelario said, “It’s very welcoming, I like this area right here.”

While resident Logan Miller added, “I think it’s very good, I think it’s worked super well in the past. Strong Ave isn’t super, super busy, it can be ever so often as a cutaway, but I think it’s a good street to have access to.”

Northampton kicked off the summer season by bringing back ‘Summer on Strong.’ The annual event starting on May 22nd shuts down Strong Avenue from Wednesday through Sunday every week until September 9th.

Resident Nicole Fonsh told us, “I absolutely love it. I’m really glad the city keeps putting resources towards having this every year. It’s been one of the bright lights since the pandemic.”

The block party featuring food, brews, and music was an idea that was spawned out of the pandemic back in 2021.

The hope being that outdoor dining would help businesses in Northampton’s downtown bounce back from those trying times.

3 years later, the Summer on Strong experiment has since become Northampton’s seasonal staple.

Fonsh added, “I moved back to the area about three years ago. So, it’s always been here since I moved back and I can’t imagine it not being here.”

Eastside Grill is one of the many small businesses right along Strong Avenue.

Owner of the eatery Debra Flynn told us the event has only grown in popularity since its inception.

“When it first started, no one knew what it was going to do. We didn’t know if it was going to be successful and it’s just gotten better and better and better. The city has really been kind to us and we’re so thankful for them.”

Flynn added that because of its growing popularity, ‘Summer on Strong’ continues to add more dining options for folks to enjoy.

“There’s progression beer, there’s sauvignon blanc, there’s rose, there’s margaritas on tap, we have athletic nonalcoholic drinks beer on tap this year, we have snacks out there, we have juice boxes for the kids, we have water, we’ve got all of the stuff and we are ready to go.”

Customers get to enjoy this summer celebration for the next 15 weeks.

Fonsh added, “It’s a way, especially where we’re all in our houses not talking to strangers for a really long time, it’s a chance to do that again.”

For a full list of events and more information for Summer on Strong, click HERE: https://www.summeronstrong.com/