Greenerborough canceled

After eight years of bringing farm-fresh food, “green” products, music and alpacas to Grove Street, Greenerborough will be no more.

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, one of its organizers, said it was unable to recruit enough volunteers or shoulder the costs of the event once Peterborough Grange #35, the co-organizer, disbanded in December.

“The camaraderie of small businesses to have a place to have fun together at the beginning of the year, that’s what I’ll miss the most,” said Ron Lucas of the Grange. “The loss of a showcase for the Monadnock region, that’s the main thing I’ll miss.”

Greenerborough was a daytime block party held each May on Grove Street. The festival’s motto was “communicate, educate, motivate.” And its participants lived up to these three words. As experts on agriculture and sustainability presented on the grass behind the memorial gates, bands performed in front of the Town House. Farmers and artisans showed off their wares, as organic hamburgers were grilled and pizza was cooked in a clay oven. Innovative products, like aquaponics and solar panels, were showcased too.

“The decision to cancel the event was prompted by a combination of delays in finding volunteers to organize the event and the growing expense to the Chamber,” a statement read. “The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce relies on its members and community to host over 50 events and programs throughout the year. All of our events must at least break-even in addition to benefiting the region. Every nonprofit membership organization has a fiduciary responsibility to its membership to provide fiscally sound event programs.”

Last year, the Grange organized the event. Lucas said it was prepared to again if its members stepped up.

“We didn’t have it,” said Lucas. “We decided not to struggle along.” The Grange voted unanimously in December to disband.