Worcester Common becomes a neighborhood of its own Friday as young artists and organizers take over the downtown space for the sixth annual Color the City Festival.
The free festival, scheduled from 3-8 p.m. Aug. 7, is organized by young people in the city’s Create 508 program in partnership with Worcester’s Cultural Development Division and Division of Youth Opportunities. This year’s theme, “It Takes a Village,” turns the Common into a collection of mini districts built around different pieces of community life.
The result is part arts festival, part block party and part showcase for Worcester residents ages 14 to 24 who have spent the year learning not only how to create art, but how to organize and produce public events.
Create 508 launched in 2021 as a youth arts and leadership program designed to give young artists experience through workshops, training, creative programming and event planning. Color the City has become its signature summer event, giving participants a chance to put those skills to work in the middle of downtown Worcester.
Throughout Friday’s festival, the youth-designed neighborhood will feature live music and performances, local vendors, games, workshops and hands-on art activities. Public art created and fabricated by Create 508 participants will also be displayed on the Common.
The Oval will get a summertime makeover as well. Lights Multitainment will offer free roller skating, with skate rentals available for $5.
The festival will spill beyond the Common onto Franklin Street, which will be closed to vehicle traffic from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. A creative market there will feature local artists and crafters along with food trucks.
According to the city’s announcement, this year’s theme was chosen to highlight the strength of Worcester’s community while giving young people room to interpret what makes a community work — and then build their own version of it for an afternoon.
Color the City is supported by the Worcester Community Action Council and Worcester Cultural Coalition.
The festival runs from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, on Worcester Common. A rain date is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 14.
