WEST BOYLSTON — One of Taylor Swift’s biggest fans is out with an invitation and instead of “meeting her at midnight,” 5-year-old Ava Blazis, of Sutton, wants the community to come to Gerardo’s Italian Bakery Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.
The bakery is hosting a “Taylor Swift Night” at its West Boylston location, offering Swift-themed cupcakes, cookies and, of course, friendship bracelets. What’s more, the bakery will treat the public to a free cannoli at the bakery’s cannoli-making station.
About five years ago, the bakery began raising money for charitable causes this time of year.
“This time of year is our slow time,” said Chris Halliday, manager of Gerardo’s and nephew of the original Gerardo, himself. “We have the facility and we want to put it to good use, so we thought, ‘Why not?’”
In the past they’ve raised money for several organizations including an animal rescue in Sterling and for an autism organization.
“For me, this is the best (cause) yet,” Halliday said. “This little girl Ava … I’ve been watching her (on social media) battle leukemia for a year now. You get that feeling like you want to do something, but what can you really do? So after the holiday season we decided there is something we can do.”
Ava was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2023 and has been channeling her inner Swiftie and staying positive through the singer’s songs, performing for nurses and doctors throughout her treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital.
While Ava has been discharged from the hospital, her journey is far from over. The youngster continues to shine brightly, arriving at weekly chemotherapy treatments dressed in various ball gowns and high heels.
“She looks like a princess, but she fights like a Swiftie,” her mother, Angela, told the Telegram & Gazette in December. “She’s definitely a fighter. So although her treatment will be for the next two and a half years, we will get through this. We have to.”
Halliday said Ava will be at Friday night’s event, most likely dressed as Swift herself. What’s more, he said Ava will be making friendship bracelets.
“Normally we have the old-fashioned Italian music playing in the store, but for one night we’ll turn it into a Taylor Swift party,” he said.