Concerts, green posters and a weekend long celebration mark the Grand Opening of Alternatives’ Whitin Mill and mark the beginning of a summer full of events at the historic mill.

On Thursday, May 29th, the Whitin Mill Grand Opening Celebration starts with a concert at 6:30 PM on the riverside plaza at Alternatives. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy performances by Brass Venture, the brass quintet of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, and the Blackstone Valley Community Chorus. Uxbridge First Holiday Night will be providing food. In case of inclement weather, the concert will take place in the Singh Performance Center at Alternatives Whitin Mill.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Friday, May 30th at 11:00 AM. Speakers will include Senator Richard T. Moore and Representative George N. Peterson. Representing the Town of Northbridge will be Selectman Joseph Montecalvo. Other dignitaries and friends of Alternatives will be in attendance.

Also at the ribbon cutting ceremony, winners of the “Going green in the Blackstone Valley” poster contest will be announced. The art competition was co-sponsored by Alternatives and the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation. Students were challenged to create posters that would depict awareness and concern for global warming, conservation and renewable resources. The posters will be displayed throughout the weekend.

On the evening of the 30th at 7:00 PM, there will be a screening of “Front Wards, Back Wards,” a PBS documentary by William Rogers. The film discusses the history and future of Fernald State School and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring individuals who were institutionalized. The concert on Thursday and all of Friday’s activities are free and open to the public. Tours of the Whitin Mill will be available throughout the weekend.

The weekend culminates on Saturday, May 31st with Alternatives’ 23rd Valley Friendship Tour. The annual fundraiser is an opportunity to spend a fun day for a great cause by walking, jogging or pedaling through the historic and beautiful Blackstone Valley. Then return to the Whitin Mill and enjoy lunch and music by the Heritage String Band. Individuals and teams are asked to raise money to support crucial programs at Alternatives. Since it began, Valley Friendship Tour has raised over $1 million dollars which has enabled the agency to purchase furnishings and adaptive equipment, continue its Community Bridging Grant program, and support to health and wellness initiatives.

For information on the Valley Friendship Tour or any other upcoming event, please call (508) 234-6232 or go to www.alternativesnet.org. All events take place at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill, 50 Douglas Road in Whitinsville. Tours of the facility will be available throughout the weekend. Alternatives is a non-profit agency serving more than 550 adults with developmental and psychiatric disabilities in 45 programs throughout central Massachusetts.