Boston’s Greenway To Have Hundreds Of Free Events

Yesterday, the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy announced their 2023 summer lineup. This has developed into one of the most attractive and scenic parts of the city, due to its proximity to the waterfront. In addition, Boston's Greenway will host hundreds of free events from May through the fall.

It all starts this Saturday, May 6th with the Food Truck Festival. Over ten different food trucks will be there serving up your favorite dishes. The complete new season of food partners began on April 3 and offers a variety of affordable, unique cuisines across seven different locations along the park. There are six new food vendors this year. They are: Kush by Saba, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Paisani, Tacos Calleteco, Vaz and Mac, and Wanderlust Globally Inspired Food.

This weekend's food truck event also coincides with the Greenway Artisan Market’s grand opening. Just steps away from the Boston waterfront, this area will be filled with small businesses, artists, and local flavors alike.

Select vendors can be found at the Greenway Artisan Market on Saturdays from May 6 through October 28 and Sundays from May 28 through October 8 from 11 am to 5 pm. This is operated by Somerville Flea.

“Discover unique handmade products, jewelry, crafted goods, and art along The Greenway, then continue with a spin on the Greenway Carousel, enjoy a food truck picnic on the organic lawns, and delight in Boston’s spectacular views,” they state via the official press release.

The Trillium Beer Garden is already open. Boston's first official Beer Garden has been open since 2017 and features an outdoor patio. You can grab your favorite food truck item and bring it right in to pair with Trillium craft beer. at the corner of High Street and Atlantic Avenue across from Rowes Wharf. Current hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 3 pm to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday, 12 pm to 8 pm, and Sunday, 12 pm to 6 pm. Their hours will expand after May 10.

The Greenway Fitness Program offers over 100 free fitness classes running from June through September. This includes yoga, parkour and meditation. "The series provides the public with essential opportunities to nurture their mental and physical health and social well-being," The Greenway states in a press release.  A full schedule of the 100+ free classes will be released in late May.

The Momentum Greenway Dance Program will also be back this year. This site-responsive dance series is a partnership with Boston-based choreographer Peter DiMuro and four local dance companies. They are the Continuum Dance Project, Jean Appolon Expressions, Public Displays of Motion, and Vimoksha. These free dance performances will last around 30 minutes and take place on September 9, 16, 23, and 30, culminating in a final festival day of performance on Saturday, October 7.

Single date festivals will also occur in the Greenway over the next five months. A full selection of dates can be found on the official calendar. The events include a Youth Pride Fest, Beantow Beanfest, Black Music Month, The Lantern Festival, August Moon Fest, and the Boston Local Food Fest.

Various dance classes, jazz ensembles and movie screenings will also start this month.

‘‘We are looking forward to a season full of enjoyable experiences for families, visitors, and residents to explore and engage with our parks as well as support local, small business and communities,” said Eileen Ong, Assistant Director of Programs. “With our extensive range of partnerships, we’re able to bring so many diverse and free programs to The Greenway, which we hope will create lasting and joyous memories for all.”

You may notice longer lines at Rowes Wharf and Dewey Square food trucks areas during lunch hours these days. That's because of a certain "food with personality." Paisani Food Truck has Boston's greatest new sandwich.

So what is it? Thin, and perfectly breaded chicken cutlet laid upon a sesame seed sub roll, with vodka sauce and fresh mozzarella. Though Paisani's menu does contain three other delicious (and unique) sandwiches, the word is quickly spreading about the Drunken Parm. It's a true combination of flavor and fresh ingredients. "Drunken Parm is by far and away the best seller," co-founder Ryan Palmer tells us.

UMass Lowell friends Palmer and Matthew Minichiello noticed a void in Italian food trucks around Boston. During their school years at Lowell, they spent significant time together cooking and developing innovative and tasty combinations. Soon, they found themselves catering large events for friends and family. Obtaining the necessary approvals to land a food truck business in Boston is no small commitment. While working to receive the proper permits, Palmer and Minichiello got the Paisani business going by continuing to cater. Finally, the truck officially launched in the summer of 2022.

To help with their expansion, Palmer and Minichiello have brought on a third full-time staffer. Thomas Southwick now works with the crew full-time. Southwick was a teacher but recently left to join Paisani.

How about two mouthwatering eggplant sandwiches. One of them, called the "Sloppy Paisani" has Bolognese and honey-whipped ricotta on top. The other is a more traditional Caprese. There's also the "Bambino" sandwich, which is their take on an Italian sub.

Not to be passed over is what lies above and beneath the sandwich portion of the menu. Sweet corn arancini or an order of garlic fries pair very well with any sandwich choice. And who says no to Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cannoli for dessert?

Paisini food truck has had stops at Boston's City Hall, and various breweries in the area. The truck is available for catering events. For the spring, you can find them at Rowes Wharf on Tuesdays from 11 am-3 pm, and on Wednesdays at Dewey Square from 11 am - 3 pm. Or - until they sell out. "We serve 65-75 Drunken Parm sandwiches per day. That's in about 1.5 - 2 hours," Palmer says. "We have been selling out for the last couple of weeks. The Greenway is new to us, so we have been trying to gauge the demand in our new locations. It looks like we may need to start packing more food because the lines have been endless!"

Well-deserved. Paisani represents food prepared with such authentic passion and personality. Not only can you taste it in every bite, but you can see it in the way the food is presented. "I think the name catches the eye of most, but the quality and quantity keeps people coming back. And that's what we're all about," Palmer concludes.

Here's a look at our recent visit to the Paisani Food Truck to taste Boston's greatest new sandwich. Needless to say, it well exceeded expectations.

Check them out at PaisaniFoodTruck.com