News

Promoting our Tourism members

Blackstone Valley 101 - have you heard of Blackstone Valley 101? Blackstone Valley 101 is an interactive on-line learning program that gives an overview of the history and heritage of the valley, while explaining why this area is nationally significant. Best of all, it's FREE!

Stepping Stone Theater (Alternatives) - NORTHBRIDGE — In the magic of theater, amid the colorful costumes, pageantry and music, people and places are transformed. It’s that belief in possibilities that erases distinctions between people, including those with disabilities and those considered able-bodied; and it’s the foundation of Stepping Stone Community Theater, an inclusive theater company in residence at the G.B. and Lexi Singh Performance Center at Alternatives Unlimited’s Whitin Mill. Here's a list of upcoming events at Alternatives.

Asa Waters Mansion - Asa Waters is an important partner of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Association. Here's a link to their special events. Also be sure to check out the social web for Asa Waters events.

 

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Blackstone Valley Bike Path

You are invited to participate in the 2011 Blackstone River Valley Visitor Guide



We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to highlight your business in a NEW 2011 tourism promotion – the premier Blackstone River Valley Visitor Guide, along with a strategic distribution plan.

Our signature guide will provide visitors and residents with a well organized and beautifully written, illustrated, and designed guide to our wonderful region of New England.

For more, visit http://www.blackstonerivervalleyvisitorguide.com/index.html

Join the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce on an Adventure to China!

   October 3rd - 11th, 2011 Beijing - Shanghai - Suzhou - Hangzhou  

 
Your Trip Includes:
  • Roundtrip international airfare
  •  Bus transportation to JFK from Chamber and return to Chamber from JFK provided at no additional charge
  •  4-and 5-star hotel accommodations
  •  3 meals each day
  •  Deluxe bus tours
  • Fluent English-speaking tour guides
  • Entrance fees for attractions
  
$1,999.00 is a special Chamber Member price.  Non-Members add $100.  Add $450 for single occupancy.  Add $4500 to fly Business Class.  Additional Tours are available.  A valid passport and visa are required.  No vaccinations are necessary.

Plan now to join the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, business leaders and friends for this once in a lifetime China Adventure. Space is limited! An orientation meeting will be held  Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Time and Site TBA.  A representative from Citslinc International, a company with over 28 years experience in  China Tours will provide detailed information and answer all questions.

Call Jeannie Hebert 508 235 9090 X106 for more information or visit www.blackstonevalley.org  


 

 

March, 2011 - News from the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Tourism Association

With plans in full swing for another exciting year of family-friendly events, The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Tourism Association is pleased to announce its 2011 board of officers.  The newly elected officers are: Co-chairmen, Tom Bellacqua and Holly Gallerani, Vice chairman, Sandy Quadros Bowles, Treasurer: John Stephens.  Under their leadership, the association will continue its efforts to support the tourism opportunities in the Blackstone Valley in conjunction with the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce.  The association serves the 11 towns of the Blackstone Valley: Blackstone, Uxbridge, Millville, Northbridge, Mendon, Hopedale, Sutton, Millbury, Grafton, Upton and Douglas.   The association hosts a range of activities throughout the year to remind Valley residents about and introduce visitors to the wonderful locations throughout the beautiful Blackstone Valley.

The signature event is the Blackstone Valley Fall Family Festival & Craft Fair, which drew thousands of people to West End Creamery in Northbridge last fall to enjoy activities, farm animal displays and informational booths about the Blackstone Valley’s rich agricultural heritage.  Mark your calendars now for this year’s event, to be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 8. Rain date is Oct. 9, noon to 4 p.m.

The association ‘s next event is Breakfast at the Mansion, to be held from 8 to 11 a.m. April 3 at the beautiful and historic Asa Waters Mansion, 123 Elm St., Millbury.  For a $6 donation, enjoy a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, danish, coffee, orange juice and other treats.  Tickets will be available at the door.  The breakfast is sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Association and the Friends of the Asa Waters Mansion.

Blackstone Valley Tourism association members may also participate in a rack card program, which provides literature about Valley events and activities in a number of highly visible locations throughout the area.  For more information on all the events of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Association, check out our Web site at www.blackstonerivervalley.com.

 

Blackstone Valley Bike Path

March, 2011 – The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Tourism Association Bike Path Update 

Thursday, March 31, 2011 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast $10.00 per person
Singh Theatre – Alternatives Unlimited
50 Douglas Street Whitinsville, MA  01588

GUEST SPEAKER Dan Driscoll Department of Conservation & Recreation

Agenda
7:20 AM – Welcome – Jeannie Hebert, President/CEO, Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
7:30 AM – Opening Remarks – Senator Richard T. Moore
7:40 AM – 8:15 AM – Dan Driscoll, Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
8:15 AM – 8:50 AM – Questions & Answers
8:50 AM – 9:00 AM – Closing Remarks – Jan Reitsma, Executive Director, John H. Chafee Blackstone River    Valley National Heritage Corridor

For Reservations email Marcia at tourism@blackstonevalley.org or call 508-234-9090, ext. 108 by March 25, 2011.
 
Michelle Fontaine of LaMich Productions and FB Smarty poses with Jeannie Hebert, President of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce at annual meeting November 2011

Blackstone Valley (Massachusetts) – The Blackstone Valley Tourism Association recommends 

The Blackstone Valley Mill Plate from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust - The Blackstone Valley, running through the central part of the state, was the birthplace of the American Industrial revolution. Offered since 1999, the Blackstone Valley Mill Plate highlights the need to restore our urban rivers and streams to enhance their ecology and improve the health of our riverfront communities.

To learn more about the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, please visit here .
 
Michelle Fontaine of LaMich Productions and FB Smarty poses with Jeannie Hebert, President of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce at annual meeting November 2011
November 17, 2010 - GRAFTON, Mass. – The Volunteer of the Year Award  was given to Michelle Fontaine, a Northbridge native who now lives in Douglas.

She handles social media for the Chamber of Commerce and is the coordinator for the Greenway Challenge photography team as well as a member of the Steering Committee. She also teaches extensive Facebook for Business courses on line and in her Douglas classroom.

Michelle owns LaMich Productions and FB Smart, a marketing communications company that focuses on web design and Internet Strategies.   She can be followed at facebook.com/fbsmarty, www.fbsmarty.com or www.lamichproductions.com

more info
John Stephens recognized for contribution to the Blackstone Valley. Here he poses with award.
November 17, 2010 - GRAFTON, Mass. – Grafton resident John Stephens was among the honorees Wednesday at the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce's annual awards breakfast.  Stephens, chairman of the Grafton 275th Celebration Committee, was recognized for his contribution to Blackstone Valley tourism efforts for over a decade, from serving as curator for the Willard House and Clock Museum to his work with the Grafton Historical Society. Stephens was among five award recipients at the 32nd annual meeting of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, which recognized individuals and businesses for their contributions to the Blackstone Valley. It was Dr. Roger Robinson, founder of the Willard House and Clock Museum, who encouraged Stephens to become involved with the chamber's tourism efforts, Stephens recalled. Robinson died last week at the age of 101. "This has been a group of friends -- it's not a work project," Stephens said of his time working on tourism. 
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Asa Waters Mansion in Millbury is one of the 1000 great places in Massachusetts

2010 The Blackstone Valley Tourism Association congratulates the following sites that were awarded the distinction of 1,000 'Great Places' in Mass.

The following places have been chosen for the list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts, recently released by state commission:

  • Blackstone: Blackstone River & Canal Park, Daniels Farmstead.
  • Douglas: Douglas State Forest, Old Douglas Center Historic District.
  • Grafton: The Willard House and Clock Museum, Grafton Common Historic District.
  • Hopedale: Bancroft Memorial Library.
  • Mendon: Maple Farm Sanctuary, Mendon Center Historic District, Mendon Drive-In Southwick's Zoo.
  • Millbury: The Asa Waters Mansion, Pearson Dairy Farm.
  • Millville: Main Street Historic District.
  • Northbridge: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Whitin Mill, Lookout Rock.
  • Sutton: Purgatory Chasm, Vaillancourt Folk Art.
  • Upton: The Upton State Forest.
  • Uxbridge: River Bend Farm.
    more info