Fourth of July Fireworks
Harvard’s fireworks will be held Friday, July 3, on the grounds of Fruitlands Museum. They start at dusk, but gates open at 5 p.m. for food and beverages and for music. Admission is $20 per car, with $10 off the price if an occupant is wearing a 2015 July 4 T-shirt. Admission for walkers is $5 per person, free for children under 12. The raindate is Sunday, July 5.
Fourth of July Road Race, Parade, and Field Events
On Saturday, July 4,there will be a 5-mile race starting at 8:15 a.m followed by a 1-mile children’s “Fun Run” at 9:30 a.m. Both events begin at Hildreth Elementary School, where participants can do same-day registration from 6:30 to 8 a.m. Entry fees are $30 for the 5-mile race, $5 for the Fun Run. More info at www.harvardraces.org.
The Fourth of July Parade will assemble Saturday morning at the corner of Depot and Ayer roads and will begin its march to the center of town about 11 a.m., after the selectmen have judged the floats. Children on their decorated bikes, vintage cars and fire trucks, and Scouts will all be in the parade.
At about noon, the parade will stop at the field in front of the library, where the traditional flag-raising ceremony will take place.
Fun and games begin on the lawn between Bromfield and the library directly after the flag-raising ceremony. The events include a pie-eating contest, sack races, egg toss, parent-child relays, and more. Later there will be games for children at the town beach.
Shadow-Puppet Show
at Library
The Harvard Public Library will host Vinny Lovegrove of Toe Jam Puppet Band fame Thursday, July 9, at 12:30 p.m. He will bring paper cutout shadow puppets to the library to tell some upbeat and very funny stories. Seats are limited, so call the library to reserve a spot at 978-456-2381.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover at Library
The Harvard Public Library will host a sleepover for stuffed animals of all ages Friday, July 10. Participants can drop their animals off on Thursday, July 9, and pick them up on Saturday, July 11. While the library is closed on Friday, the stuffed animals will have a party and explore the library. Photos of the stuffed animals having fun at the library will be posted in the Children’s Room, and on Facebook, Tumblr, and Google+ page. Pre-register so the library staff can keep track of everyone’s cuddly friends.
Bravehearts Memorial
Bike Ride
A bike ride in memory of Dylan Connelly will be held Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fruitlands Museum. Same-day registration starts at 8 a.m. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the National Brain Tumor Society and Camp Sunshine. Participants can register for 25- or 50-mile loops, with a 2-mile ride available for children. Following the ride there will be family-friendly lawn games and activities. Lunch will be available for purchase. For more information or to register in advance, go to www.Team Bravehearts.com.
NOFA Workshop on
Small Organic Fruit
Old Frog Pond Farm will host a workshop about organic small fruit Sunday, July 12, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at 38 Eldridge Road. The Northeast Organic Farming Association will present information about growing raspberries, blueberries, currants, and goumis; spotted wing Drosiphilia and soil remineralization will be discussed. Register at oldfrogpondfarm.com.
In-Town Save the Date
- July 18-19: “The Stone Girl” at the General Store
- July 19: Building with marshmallows at library
- July 19: Scythe workshop at Old Frog Pond Farm
- July 21: Well-adult clinic at Hildreth House, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
- July 22: Superheroes by Sciencetellers at library
- July 24: Pub Night with Loose Tongues at the General Store
- Aug. 1: Camp Green Eyrie 90th anniversary celebration
- Aug. 6-8: Central Mass Longboard Festival
- Aug. 15: First day of Harvard Farmers’ Market
In-Town Classes
- Rowing. The Bare Hill Rowing Association offers summer learn-to-row classes and begins recruiting when school starts in the fall. For more information, go to www.barehillrowing.com/programs/learn-to-row-summer-2015.
- Swimming and boating. From now through Aug. 7 Red Cross-certified instructors will offer swimming lessons, which cost $40 for each two-week session. Swimming lessons will be in the morning; boating lessons will be in the late morning and afternoon. To sign up, visit the town beach or go to www.HarvardParkandRec.org.
Out-of-Town Events
Independence Day at Old Sturbridge Village
A newly expanded, three-day celebration of Independence Day will take place at Old Sturbridge Village to include the firing of a new reproduction cannon and a host of other patriotic activities, July 3 to 5. Go to www.osv.org.
Outdoor Jazz and Picnic
The Community Music School at Atlantic Union College will host the New England Conservatory Jazz Ambassadors playing folk and jazz Thursday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m., outdoors behind the Thayer Performing Arts Center, 438 Main Street, South Lancaster. Rain location is Thayer Recital Hall. Participants are invited to bring a picnic, blanket, and lawn chair. Suggested donation is $15 per car.
Chamber Music
The Worcester Chamber Music Society will present concerts of classical music Thursday, July 9, at 8 p.m. and Thursday, July 16, at 8 p.m. at Razzo Hall, Clark University, 92 Downing St., Worcester, with a pre-concert talk for each performance at 7:30 p.m. Featured guest is pianist Sonya Fensome Ovrutsky. Tickets and information at www.worcesterchambermusic.org or 508-217-4450.
Aquatic Plant Workshop
The Nashua River Watershed Association will host a free aquatic plant identification workshop Thursday, July 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Petapawag boat launch off Nod Road, Groton. Participants will learn to distinguish native from invasive plants. Registration is limited to 20. Call 978-448-0299 or email MarthaM@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Out-of-Town Classes
- Nature Camp. The Bolton Conservation Trust’s Tom Denney Nature Camp, located on the Bolton and Harvard conservation areas at Bowers Springs, is a co-educational day camp for children who have completed grades 1 to 8. This year a new EcoAdventure program for grades 6, 7, 8 is offered. Each one-week session runs Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting July 6. www.boltonconservationtrust.org
- Art Sessions. Fitchburg Art Museum will offer art classes for ages 5 to 17 in three sessions: July 20–23; July 27–30; Aug. 3–6. Classes include sculpture, drawing, painting, mixed media, and more. www.fitchburgartmuseum.org
Vacation Bible School. Our Savior Lutheran Church, Westminster, will offer free learning, crafts, games, and snacks for ages 4 to 10, July 13–17, 9 a.m. to noon. Register at www.oursaviorlcms.com or 978-874-2479.
Concerts at the Bull Run
June 26: No Static, Steely Dan tribute
June 28: Mason Jennings
July 8: The Roys
July 9: Bob Marley (comedy)
July 10: Nick Moss Band
July 11: The Kennedys
July 11: The Installers
July 15: Devon Allman Band
July 17: Robbie Fulks and Redd Volkaert
Tickets are available at tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com.
