Ipswich Illumination, Oct. 14-16, 2022

The Town and people of Ipswich, in partnership with Creative County Initiative (CCI), a Program of the Essex County Community Foundation, are proud to present Ipswich Illumination 2022, a celebration of beauty and community. Illumination, now in its 13th year, features a collection of interactive art installations, live music, poetry, projection, bonfires and more along the Ipswich River the weekend of October 14-16, 2022. Admission for all events is free, pay as you go for food and drinks.

Walking, Bicycling even Kayaking are encouraged.

Automobile parking available in town at Hammett Street Lot and with huge thanks to EBSCO for use of their open air Saltonstall St. parking lots. Visit Ipswich Illumination 2022 on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/765500578016539

Friday, October 14

“A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood” a film about Mr Rogers staring Tom Hanks, will be screened 6:30 pm under-the-stars at the Take-Out Terrace, downtown Ipswich followed by fireside Community Conversation lead by Josh Manning. (View location on Google Maps).

Saturday, October 15 from 1-7pm

Depth of Field: Attendees can experience Depth Of Field at the Ipswich Town Hall Athletic Fields. Depth of Field is an outdoor event with two stages for live music, an open-air art-market showcasing artists from across Essex County and Community information and wellness offerings. Depth Of Field is produced by Three Phase Productions in partnership with Creative County Initiative (CCI) whose mission is to invest in collaborative public art projects that encourage partnerships between the arts, municipalities, business and philanthropic sectors.

1-7 pm: Music & Depth of Field at the Ipswich Town Hall Athletic Fields (view location)

Open-Air Art Market showcasing artists from across Essex County, including Comics, Local Authors, Pottery, Vintage Clothing & Denim, Ceramics, Fiber Arts, Handmade prints, Oil Paintings, Handmade Glass Art

Food and drink by: Riverview Pizza, American BBQ, Layan Ice Cream Truck, Ipswich Ale

Wellness by:

3-6 pm – Ipswich Family YMCA – lawn games & family fun
2-5 pm – Acupuncture Health & Wellness – ear needling clinic 

Saturday afternoon Music

• 1:00 – Labor in Vain
• 1:45 – LITA featuring Jason Ji
• 2:15 – SESH
• 3:00 – Surprise Guest! 
• 3:30 – Talk Chalk
• 4:15 – Rupert Selection
• 4:45 – Guess Method
• 5:30 – RMRZ
• 6:00 – Dead to the Core

Saturday from 6 – 9pm

Attendees are invited to explore an adventure in art and sound through town, from the Take Out Terrace to the Green Street Bridge. The Ipswich River becomes a backdrop for bonfires, live music, art, interactive installations, dance parties, poetry, projection and more. Weaving the locations together you’ll find an illumination path through town connecting people to public points along the Ipswich River. Bonfires will blaze about the footbridge in town with more on the open water along County Street. Wander the path and see what other surprises we have in store for you.

Bonfire lighting by archery: Ipswich resident Carlos Segura, a former member of Mexico’s National Archery Team, will light the first and last bonfires of Illumination by bow & flaming arrow. Carlos Segura coaches Archery at the Ipswich Fish & Game Association. Up River @ 5:59 pm (evening/sunset) Saturday: Carlos will shoot from the center of the footbridge lighting the first bonfire of Illumination above the dam. Down River at approximately 6:45pm: Carlos will light the last Illumination bonfire from the Green Street Bridge.

A do-not-miss Saturday night event this year will be CLEAR, brought to Illumination by our friends at the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA). The Cognitive Laboratory of Environment and Arts Research (CLEAR) is a collaboration between Northeastern University and Fashion Institute of Technology whose goal is to foster mechanisms that promote the idea that humans are one with nature, and not separate, even in urban environments. CLEAR will immerse the viewer into the wild.

6-9pm Ipswich Illuminations @ Take Out Terrace to the Green Street Bridge

TIMED EVENTS NOT TO MISS: 

• 5:59 – Archer Lights Bonfire @ the Dam Downtown
• 6:15 – Origami Crane Drop by Bright Happy Power @ County & Elm Streets
• 6:30 – Archer Lights Bonfire @ Green Street Bridge

ENJOY:

• Bonfires on the Ipswich River
• Video Installations by CLEAR @ Footbridge
• Shadow Dance @ Hall Haskell House Green
• Paper Moon Photo Booth @ Hall Haskell House Green
• River Herring Migration Tunnel behind Ipswich Police Department
• YMCA Community Art Project @ County Street Bridge
• Wander the path and see what other surprises we have in store for you.

Take Out Terrace Vendors: 

• Bike Blender Smoothies by the Ipswich High School Green Team
• True North Ales

Saturday evening music

Follow the bonfires on the river down the Sidney Shurcliff Riverwalk to the Green Street Bridge to the Rave Dance Party. (View location on Google Maps)

Food by: Clam Chowder & Three Sisters Farm & Garden Vegetable Soup to benefit Dinner Bell by Ipswich Inn & Ipswich Rotary, Good Dogs & More

Saturday evening music By:

• 6:00 – Ipswich Community Band @ Take out Terrace
• 6:30 – NorthWest Fox & Friends @ Take out Terrace
• 6:45 – Acapella Tenor @ Water & Green Streets
• 7:00 Om Drum Circle @ Water & Green Streets
• 7:15 Karen Ristuban Trio @ Sawmill Point
• 7:30 Blissful Beats by Living Light & Eartha Harris @ Water & Green Streets
• 8:15 Bottles & Cans @ County Street Bridge

Sunday, October 16

Sunday Illumination grant final: with poetry & dance. Return to the River at the Take Out Terrace Truss & Stage:

• 1:00 Spoken Word @ Take Out Terrace
• 2:00 The Marsh Hoppers Big Band @ Take Out Terrace