Good morning, Worcester.

Today, WalkBike Worcester is urging residents to try walking, biking or public transit instead of driving as part of its second Week Without Driving Challenge.

About 30 people have pledged to participate and the challenge ends Sunday, October 5 — offering a simple way for locals to cut down on car use.

DCU Center in Worcester may soon get a new name as DCU Federal Credit Union merges with a West Coast partner—First Tech Federal Credit Union.

Director John LaHair said the merger vote is underway while the legal merger will complete on January 1, 2026.

Today, Worcester hosts a two-day Armenian Festival on Salisbury Street with food, music and cultural displays, while tomorrow the Italian Heritage Parade will feature dozens of groups and floats marching along Shrewsbury Street from near Belmont Street to Washington Square — celebrating the city’s Italian heritage. Both events highlight the deep roots of local traditions.

Today, the third annual Worcester Irish Cultural Festival takes place at Polar Park in the canal district, where visitors enjoy Gaelic football, hurling, language workshops, music, and over 30 vendors selling Irish goods and homemade treats—organizers emphasize the event’s connection to the local Irish immigrant heritage near Tobias Boland’s statue.

Worcester will host the Shrewsbury Street Italian Heritage Parade tomorrow at noon, starting at the Route 9 end of Shrewsbury Street and heading west to Washington Square.

About 50 groups including high school bands, cheer teams, and antique cars will participate while festivities— with inflatables and food trucks— follow at Cristoforo Colombo Park.

The Museum of Worcester has an exhibit about the history of Smiley, the design Harvey Ball made in 1963, which was celebrated on Friday as World Smile Day — the museum asks visitors to share moments when they smiled to create a future smile chain display.

Sixty-seven local after-school programs will receive a funding boost when three United Way organizations are awarded $1.08 million from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support programs in STEM, arts apprenticeships, refugee support, and leadership development. United Way of Central Massachusetts will use $615,600 for 33 programs such as Future Arts Workers and Worcester Refugee Assistance Project—while the North Central and South Central United Ways will support 23 and 11 programs respectively.

On Tuesday, Worcester City Council voted eight to two to ban the police from working with ICE in the 287-G Program for immigration enforcement.

Councilor Khrystian King said the program separates families and harms neighborhoods.

On Sept. 30, the Worcester City Council approved an order for a report on a drone program for the police, brought by Councilor Kate Toomey.

Councilor Moe Bergman estimated a pilot might cost about $30,000 while Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson supported the proposal — the report will see if a program similar to Chula Vista's could work in Worcester.

Worcester city council voted 8–2 to bar police from joining an ICE task force and a new proposal seeks to use drones as first responders to check 911 calls—raising concerns about privacy and high costs.

Local leaders say they will review past systems like ShotSpotter as they decide on next steps.

The Worcester Housing Authority broke ground on the Economic Opportunity Center—part of the Phase Two redevelopment of Curtis Apartments that will include twenty-four new apartments, office space and programs with a new library branch.

Local leaders attended the event, and the project will add 150 housing units to help families break the cycle of poverty.

A local run event will be held this Sunday at Polar Park with registration starting at 8:00 a.m. and a kids fun run beginning at 9:30 a.m. to raise funds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center; the event honors families who have been discharged from intensive care and remembers those who have experienced a loss—offering support to the community.

Two affordable apartment projects are coming online in Worcester with a total of 134 units—85 at the repurposed Aurora Apartments that offer support for adults emerging from homelessness and 49 at Merrick at the Square designed for long-term energy efficiency.

Local and state leaders celebrated the projects on Thursday, emphasizing a strategy to keep residents in the community.

Renew Worcester, a 92 unit apartment building at 5 Suburban Drive — near Doherty Memorial High School, was sold for $25.73 million on Wednesday to The Micozzi Cos. from FPA Multifamily.

Built in 1965 — the building has 63 one bedroom and 29 two bedroom units and is the fourth multifamily purchase by the Boston firm in Central Mass.

The Holy Cross football team is set to play Harvard today at 2pm on Spectrum News1—coaches say the team must control the run game to beat the nationally ranked opponent.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire

2:30-4:00 p.m. — DCU Center — Ticketed event — Experience the thrill of monster trucks in an exciting new Glow-N-Fire show!

Savage Ga$p, Grim Salvo, and Witchouse 40k Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Palladium — Tickets available — Experience the electrifying performances of Savage Ga$p and friends live in Worcester.

Rhett Miller Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Off The Rails — Tickets starting at $30.50 — Enjoy a night of music with Rhett Miller at this popular Worcester venue.

Pink Martini Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices range from $87 to $303 — Experience an evening of eclectic music from the beloved Pink Martini.

Johnny Mathis Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the timeless voice of Johnny Mathis, an icon of pop music since the 1950s.

Rock The GazBar

10:30 a.m.–11:59 p.m. — The GazBar Sports Grill — Registration fees apply — Run, walk, or cheer on participants during a fun 5k event for all ages.

Toronzo Cannon Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Bull Run Restaurant — Check for ticket prices — Experience the electrifying blues sounds of Toronzo Cannon from Chicago.

Live Blues Performance by Troy Mercy

8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. — Vincent's — Entry fee unknown — Enjoy a night of blues with the uniquely captivating Troy Mercy and their rock & roll flair.

Live Music by Jim Infantino & Lisa Bastoni

1-5 p.m. — Hyland Orchard Pavilion — Check website for ticket info — Enjoy alternating sets from talented songwriters while picking apples.

Adirondack Thunder vs Worcester Railers

3:05 – 4:35 PM — DCU Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting match as the Worcester Railers take on the Adirondack Thunder in their eighth season of ECHL action.