By Beth David, Editor
After being forced to skip last year, the music night in Benoit Square saw a pretty good crowd of about 150 turn out to listen to oldies and dance the night away. The annual North Fairhaven Improvement Association Music Night was a little different this year, but spirits were as upbeat as always.
The car cruise part of the event, and the dancing in the streets, had to be nixed due to a relatively new regulation by the state. The NFIA learned too late in the game that they needed to get a permit from the state police because Adams Street and Main Street are both state roads.
NFIA member Fred Raphael had the dubious honor of working like crazy to get the permit in time. He said he got all the way to the end of the process in a week, something that usually takes six weeks, and then hit the ultimate snag: The state trooper who had to sign off on it was on vacation.
Mr. Raphael said he had to get a sign-off from the police department, fire department, select board and state police. He also needed drawings to show the street and what exactly would be blocked off, etc.
He contacted friends and family, anyone he thought could help. In the end, he still had to fill out the online form, a task he needed help with. He also said that next year, the event will cost more because the new regulation requires a police detail, instead of just volunteer Emergency Management Agency personnel.
Mr. Raphael did point out, though, that the NFIA was able to alert Our Lady of Angels to the new requirements, so the procession down Main Street should be good to go this Monday.
The Halloween Horribles Parade and Santa in the Square will also be all set.
Meanwhile, at the music night on Sunday, no one seemed to be upset that they had to dance on the sidewalk or in the square instead of the street.
The classic cars will, no doubt be back next year.
The NFIA also grilled up some hot dogs and burgers, and had malassadas for those with a sweet tooth.
To learn more about the NFIA and their events, find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NfiaNorthFairhavenImprovementAssociation/
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- Carol and Chuck Hassel sport some fancy moves as they dance to oldies by Eddie and the Exciters in Benoit Square in Fairhaven on Sunday, 8/29/21, for the annual North Fairhaven Improvement Association Music Night. Photo by Beth David.
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- Carol and Chuck Hassel sport some fancy moves as they dance to oldies by Eddie and the Exciters in Benoit Square in Fairhaven on Sunday, 8/29/21, for the annual North Fairhaven Improvement Association Music Night. Photo by Beth David.
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- North Fairhaven Improvement Association members, sporting their spiffy blue t-shirts, take a minute to pose for the local free sheet during the NFIA Music Night in Benoit Square in Fairhaven on Sunday, 8/29/21. Photo by Beth David.
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- A crowd of about 150 gathers in Benoit Square in Fairhaven to listen to oldies by Eddie and the Exciters on Sunday, 8/29/21, for the annual North Fairhaven Improvement Association Music Night. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Flo DaCosta and Judy Cambra dance to oldies by Eddie and the Exciters in Benoit Square in Fairhaven on Sunday, 8/29/21, for the annual North Fairhaven Improvement Association Music Night. Photo by Beth David.
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- People enjoying oldies by Eddie and the Exciters say “hey” to the Neighb News in Benoit Square in Fairhaven on Sunday, 8/29/21, during the annual North Fairhaven Improvement Association Music Night. Photo by Beth David.
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- Eddie and the Exciters play the oldies during the annual North Fairhaven Improvement Association Music Night in Benoit Square on Sunday, 8/29/21. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the entire 9/2/21 issue: 09-02-21 NFIAMusicNight
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