WORCESTER—In a city where the smiley face was born, Worcester gears up for its annual day of joy and recognition surrounding this iconic symbol. This year, the celebration of World Smile Day coincides with the presentation of the 2024 Harvey Ball Smile Award, honoring the Coghlin Family for their long-standing commitment to the community.
The events, hosted by the Worcester Historical Museum, aim to “uplift spirits and highlight the importance of kindness in everyday life.”
World Smile Day activities take place on Friday, Oct. 4, from noon to 3 p.m. at Worcester Common, where attendees can enjoy food trucks, Table Talk pies, entertainment, and activities for all ages. Later in the evening, the Mercantile Center hosts the 23rd Annual Harvey Ball event from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., featuring live entertainment and award presentations.
The Harvey Ball Smile Award was established in 2001 to honor Harvey Ball and his iconic creation, the Smiley Face, a universal symbol of happiness and goodwill. The “Harvey” is awarded annually to an individual, organization, or group whose contributions have made a significant impact on the city of Worcester.
This year’s recipients, James Coghlin Sr., James Coghlin Jr., Chris Coghlin of the Coghlin Companies, and Susan Mailman of Coghlin Electrical Contractors, have dedicated more than 130 years to serving Worcester and its surrounding communities.
As Chris Coghlin expressed in an announcement, “It is a great honor for our family to be named the 2024 recipient of the Harvey Ball Smile Award. We look forward to receiving this distinguished honor on behalf of four generations of Coghlin family business leaders, countless dedicated professionals that have worked for Coghlin’s, and so many trusted community leaders.”
Bill Wallace, executive director of the Worcester Historical Museum, which has long spearheaded the Harvey Ball, stated, “The Coghlin family has had a profound impact on Worcester and Central Massachusetts, truly making our communities smile. We are proud to honor the memory and legacy of Harvey Ball and his world-famous creation, Smiley Face, with this presentation.”
Go here for more information and to purchase tickets.
As the Worcester Guardian marks nearly a year of delivering free, independent digital news to our city, our dedication to this mission strengthens. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing commitment to providing hyperlocal news coverage to Worcester. Scroll to the bottom of our home page to sign up for our daily newsletter
