Organizers of World Cup watch parties around Massachusetts that have been left in licensing limbo should receive their approvals this week, Gov. Maura Healey said Tuesday.
The Healey administration in March doled out $10 million in grants for fan celebrations and community watch parties throughout the state, including in Easthampton, Everett, Greenfield, Worcester, Lowell, Burlington, Lexington and Weymouth. But FIFA so far has only given public viewing licenses to four out of 17 state grant recipients, and organizers are considering canceling plans, The Boston Globe reported last week.
“Communities should be assured that those licenses are forthcoming, so they should get out there, get after it, plan those watch parties,” Healey told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “We want World Cup to be something that’s celebrated across the state, enjoyed across the state. A lot of communities have signed up to do that work, and you know, we’re looking forward to it.”…