By Laura Bailey
A weekend filled with music, food trucks, amusement rides and family entertainment came to Memorial Park Boulevard to celebrate the 60th annual Mum Festival.
In honor of the festival’s big birthday, festivalgoers donned tie-dye shirts, boho headbands and fringe vests to celebrate this year’s theme: “60 years of flower power.”
“I brought my grandson for the first time,” said Maria Jimenez. “He’s been on almost every ride; now we’re going to get cheeseburgers.”
Jimenez, a resident of the West End, wore a brightly colored peace sign around her neck to show her festival spirit.
Musical headliners Dark and the Funbags, Soul Sound Revue, and LB4 drew huge crowds to the mainstage.
“We saw Soul Sound Revue at the Rockwell summer concert, they were good,” said John Morin. “We came early to get a spot near the front.”
Morin and his family were enjoying their first Mum Festival and hope to return next year.
Memorial Park Boulevard was lined with tents from local vendors, community organizations and non-profits. Behind the boulevard, visitors traveled back to the 1950s, 60s and 70s at the classic car show.
Hundreds of residents lined up on Main Street to watch the annual parade. The fan-favorite event featured marching bands, dancers and brilliantly decorated floats from Bristol schools and organizations.
The festivities will continue with two more Mum Festival events this year. The Bristol Polish Club will hold Mum Festival Bingo on Oct. 16 and an Indoor Craft Fair on Nov. 5.
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