Summer visitors are a major focus of the Greater Cape Ann tourism community, but just as important are plans for the months – and the year – ahead. This focus on the future was the main topic of discussion at the July meeting of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council, as we welcomed representatives from the Gloucester 400 initiative to join us and provide some insight into what’s store for the city’s big 2023 celebration.
The Council’s goal for this meeting was to better understand the information we could share with the visitors coming to Cape Ann this summer, and we came away from this meeting informed and excited by the plans for Gloucester 400. Bob Gillis – a former Chamber president and a tri-chair of the Gloucester 400 committee – and Isabell Pett, who leads the initiative’s events planning and coordination effort –s were our special guests. They provided background on the effort, an overview of activities that have taken place thus far and, most important, a look ahead to Gloucester 400 plans for later this year and 2023.
In addition to the scheduled of Gloucester 400 events, we learned of the “400 Stories” initiative aimed at profiling the people who helped create Gloucester’s history – and we vowed to propose our own stories on the city’s visitor and tourism legacy. We learned of the many committees formed to ensure that all aspects of Gloucester’s character are represented – committees focused on areas like maritime and waterways, diversity and equity, heritage, athletics, and veterans. We learned of the commemorative medals created to mark this 400 celebration and the group’s Main Street location.
You’ll these and other details on Gloucester 400 here on the group’s website.
The focus on these upcoming activities carried over to our usual meeting discussions around Council member plans for the days, weeks and months. We talked about summer efforts like Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays, the Gloucester Culture Splash each Thursday, downtown Gloucester block parties, the August 5 showing of CODA on the Cape Ann Museum Green, and major events such as the summer Gloucester Waterfront Festival (August 20-21) and the Labor Day weekend Schooner Festival. And we looked ahead to fall activities such as the new Blackburn Brewfest (September 17), and Cape Ann Plein Air (October 1-9).
We will continue our discussion of these and other tourism happenings in upcoming monthly meetings. If you’d like to join us for these Tourism Council meetings – held the third Friday of each month at the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce offices – please email me at tsapienza@gmail.com
Tony Sapienza
Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
Chair, Tourism Council
