It’s the most wonderful time of the year again. On September 8, the Brookline Recreation Department will present its annual Brookline Day town celebration in partnership with Brookline Bank and other supporters.
Coolidge Corner shuts down for the festivities, and Harvard Street becomes a pedestrian-only zone from Beacon Street to the Florida Ruffin Ridley School at Stedman Street. One hundred local businesses will pop up in booths offering food and beverages, unique gifts, local products, art pieces, and more. Many of those businesses are nonprofits that will share more information about their missions.
Near the Coolidge Corner Brookline Bank location, a Mini Town Hall will be set up with 20 different Town of Brookline departments represented for easy access to city officials. The Florida Ruffin Ridley School will feature the Main Stage, the Kidz Zone, and a touch-a-truck presentation perfect for families.
Jacob Martin, recreation leader with the Town of Brookline, spearheads the event for the first time this year. He was inspired by similar events he went to as a child growing up in West Hartford.
“My goal for these events is to create that memory for another kid and let them feel like they are a part of their community,” says Martin. “On top of that, we want everyone to feel included, cared for and appreciated.”
Martin expects 12,000 attendees will flood Coolidge Corner for the celebration. That may seem like a big number, but 8,000 community members showed up in 2023, even during a heavy rainstorm. If bright skies are ahead, so are the crowds.
In addition to managing Brookline Day and other recreational activities, Martin also serves as the coordinator for senior and wellness programs. He runs recreational trips from the Brookline Senior Center to museums, farms, harbor cruises, and other social outings and coordinates wellness activities for all ages in Brookline. His to-do list also includes other administrative tasks.
Despite this heavy workload, Martin’s enthusiasm for Brookline Day is infectious. He says his dream for upcoming celebrations is to incorporate a Ferris wheel and possibly other carnival rides into the event. For now, live music, family-friendly activities, local eats, and community engagement will do just fine.
Check out the performance lineup and celebration map to plan your best-ever Brookline Day.
“I hope that people walk away from this and think, wow, we have a town that cares about us,” says Martin. “We have a town that’s doing all this work for us, and we feel a real sense of community.”
