3RD ANNUAL SOMERSTREETS SERIES BEGINS SUNDAY JUNE 3RD WITH “CARNAVAL @ SOMERSTREETS” ON EAST BROADWAY

Carnaval @ SomerStreets is the first of five 2012

SomerStreets events, the City's popular Open Streets Initiative, which closes

sections of roadways one Sunday per month to promote and support active living

- walking, biking, running, dancing, etc.

The Foss Fest stage

at Foss Park will offer music by Christopher Jenkins, Son del Sol, All of the

Animals, The Novel Ideas and Barricades, as well as activities including demos

by the Open Air Circus, henna tattoo artists, craft vendors and face painters.

"SomerStreets

events have become some of the most anticipated regional events, drawing an

average of 6,000 people each month, and Carnval @ SomerStreets has proven one of

the largest and most popular events to kick off the summer for the last several

years," said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.  "We

are fortunate to have great partners in ESMS and FossFest, and I'm looking

forward to an afternoon of great food, entertainment, and fun."

"Carnaval @ SomerStreets has become a staple event for East

Somerville, helping to showcase the great local businesses, restaurants, and

artists that call East Somerville, and particularly East Broadway, home," said

Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche.  "I'm excited

to kick off the 2012 summer season once again with a great celebration on

Broadway."

 "We are honored that

East Somerville and Winter Hill were chosen yet again to kick off this

innovative event series with the city. 

Last year working together we brought out nearly 5,000 Somerville

residents to enjoy food, sun, games and local culture- this year with increased

community partnership we hope to break 8,000!"

The full 2012 SomerStreets schedule is:

• Carnaval - Sunday, June 3 on Broadway from
  
  Temple St. to Pennsylvania Ave.

• Seize the Summer - Sunday, July 29 on Highland
  
  Ave. from the Walnut St. to Cedar St.

• Going Green on Rte. 16 - Sunday, August 19 on
  
  Alewife Brook Parkway from Dilboy Field to Broadway

• Octoberfest - Sunday, October 28 on Somerville
  
  Ave. from Union Square to Porter Square

SomerStreets builds on the Shape Up Somerville healthy

living initiative. Similar open streets events take place all around the world,

providing space normally taken up by automobile traffic for people to be more

active. Special attention this year is being paid to providing fresh food at

all events.

All SomerStreets events will run from 12-4 p.m., rain or

shine.