HOLYOKE — The architectural and cultural gems of Holyoke will once again be on display for the day with Doors Open Holyoke 2024 on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Formed in collaboration with the Office of Planning and Economic Development and the Greater Holyoke Chamber, Doors Open Holyoke has for the last three years featured iconic Holyoke locations like Open Square, the Richardson Train Station and the Victory Theater, as well as places of worship and manufacturing companies.
Doors Open events across the country invite the public to see behind the doors of many places not usually open to the public and connects residents and visitors to local places of historical, cultural and architectural significance to bridge communities and inspire new and broader perspectives.
Director of Planning and Economic Development Aaron Vega said this year’s Doors Open will once again also kick off a “Day in the Yoke” as the city will also see the annual Great Brick Race and the Paper City Food Truck Festival throughout the day, all in a celebration of Holyoke. Vega said Doors Open has become a great showcase of what makes the city unique and is the perfect celebration on a day filled with events in the city.
Vega said the event has always been a great showcase of the city for residents and visitors and hopes this year can bring another great experience to people.
“One thing that’s always interesting to me is after the fact I hear from people about their experience about seeing things they don’t get to see, how much they liked the train station, the memories it brought up to them,” Vega said. “It also brings a lot of people in that haven’t been in the city for a long time or Holyokers who have moved away have come in for that.”
Vega said the city briefly weighed taking a year off but quickly were back in for a fourth annual year after the number of calls and emails since last years event from curious residents looking for information for the next year.
“Got to give the people what they want,” Vega added.
One thing new to Doors Open this year will be shuttle service mural tours. During the day there will be opportunities to take a bus tour around the city and see the Beyond Walls murals that have been painted across the city over the last year. Members of Beyond Walls will be in attendance to give the tours and showcase the work done in celebration of the city’s culture.
Vega added he hopes residents are vocal about what they would like to see as well and hopes as many of the different pieces that make up the city can be showcased during the day.
Doors Open relies on individuals and organizations that have a passion for Holyoke and interested parties can fill out an application at exploreholyoke.com/explore/doors-open-holyoke/featured.
Additional event details, locations and schedule of this year’s Doors Open Holyoke events will be available in the coming weeks at the same link or on the Explore Holyoke Facebook page.
