Arlington students were front and center in Saturday’s 48th annual Town Day celebration, both in manning some of the 200 booths lining Mass. Ave. and as visitors checking them out. The students raised funds for good causes in the process.
Many Arlington High School and Ottoson Middle School students attended the event to seek contributions and increase awareness for student programs in the town.
The Arlington-Belmont Crew Team’s booth featured three rowing machines to encourage residents to learn the sport and to donate to the team that teaches students how to row on Spy Pond. A year and a half ago, the team suffered a massive loss when someone drove away with its boats and wrecked them in the process. The team has been raising replacement funds ever since.
“It was really difficult,” said coach Aiden Dewitt, describing the team’s recovery process, “but that’s what events like this are for. It goes a long way to helping us get the equipment.” Through Town Day, the team was able to raise additional funds to ensure it is competition-ready.
In front of Del’s Lemonade nearby, there was a consistent line throughout the day. Inside the booth was a mix of workers and high school volleyball players, as they shared the booth.
Joonhee Lowe, a volleyball captain, said the team uses Town Day to “connect with and give back to the community.” By selling volleyball merchandise, baking cookies and pastries, and setting up a face-painting stand, the team used its booth to gain funding and spread awareness. Its dual goal was to raise money for the Ottoson Volleyball program and to buy gear for the high school team. Although the team couldn’t have its own booth, Lowe said, “We didn’t let that stop us,” and they partnered with Del’s.
Another student group set up shop nearby. Reem Merchant, an 11th-grade student at the high school, said she started Memories Matter, a club dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s research during her freshman year. Her goal at Town Day was to make sure “other people in the community are aware about Alzheimer’s Disease,” stating that “there’s not many resources out there.”
The student-run booths illustrated Arlington’s sense of community, which begins with its young people, who enjoyed themselves but also gave back to others.
This news story was published Sept. 23, 2026.
