Harvard Fourth of July events
On July Fourth, our town gathers to celebrate our independence with longstanding traditions including a bike decorating contest for kids, a downtown parade, an antique car show, and an afternoon of field events that is fun for all ages.
- 10 a.m.: Bike decorating on the Common, across from the General Store; the bikes making the best use of red, white, and blue decorations will be awarded ribbons.
- 11 a.m.: Parade, starting on Ayer Road at the intersection with Depot Road and ending at the library.
- Noon: Flag-raising ceremony, library field.
- 12:15 p.m.: Field events, library field. Live music at field events by Harvard’s own The Rafters. Food by the Lions Club. For more information visit: harvard4thofJuly.org.
Harvard Fourth of July road races
The traditional 5-mile race and 1-mile kids’ fun run through the rolling hills of Harvard are on for Sunday, July 4. On-site registration starts at 6:30 a.m; 5-mile road race at 8:15 a.m and 1-mile kids’ run at 9:30 a.m. Unlike years past, the races will start and end at the Bromfield School. Register and get more information at bit.ly/3hhN9GX.
Fourth of July weekend at Carlson Orchards
At Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, Harvard.
- Friday, July 2, 4:30 p.m., music by Bare Hill. Cider Barn pizza, trolley dogs, Italian ice.
- Saturday, July 3, 4 p.m., music by Barn Burners. Uhlman’s ice cream, Kith and Kin food truck.
- Sunday, July 4, 11:30 a.m, pig roast by Scott Brothers. Music by Acton Music Project. 2:30 p.m., music by Phun Bucket.
For more information, visit carlsonorchards.com.
Library story times and book groups
Story times and book groups will be held outdoors on the library lawn, socially distanced under a tent. Registration is required due to limited space. Register for story times at forms.gle/ku8orCyKE8NYZXoC6. Register for book groups at forms.gle/gg9xnRKxyFQyTkrh9. In case of rain, outdoor events will be held virtually, rescheduled, or canceled.
- Story time for ages 0-2: Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., July 8-August 19.
- Story time for ages 2 and 3: Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., July 7-August 18.
- Story time for ages 4 and 5 and up: Mondays at 1:30 p.m., July 12-August 16.
- Virtual Saturday story times, ages 3 to 7 (via Zoom): Saturdays, July 24 and August 14, 10:30 a.m.
- Book discussion group for first- and second-graders: Monday, July 26, 4 p.m.
- Fourth-grade book group: Monday, July 12, 4 p.m.
- Fifth-grade book group: Tuesday, July 13, 4 p.m.
- Sixth-grade book group: Tuesday, July 20, 4 p.m.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grown-ups: Thursday, July 8, 7 p.m. To register, email childrens room@harvardpubliclibrary.org
- Write Stuff writing group, fourth- through sixth-grade: Tuesday, July 6, 4 p.m. To register, email childrens room@harvardpubliclibrary.org.
Bare Hill Rowing summer events
Bare Hill Rowing Association offers competitive and learn-to-row opportunities on Bare Hill Pond during the summer. Availability of boats may be limited due to COVID-19 protocols.
- Competitive youth program: Open to current Bromfield Acton-Boxborough team members, grades 8 through 12.
- Learn-to-row (2 oars): Introduction to sculling for youth (rising sixth-graders) to adults. Open to the public. Three stand-alone classes offered at different skill levels.
- Sculling, level II: For those who have completed the learn-to-row course, intermediate level, or have previous sculling/sweep rowing experience.
- Experienced adult: For adults with sculling experience. No water supervision or instruction is provided. Open to Harvard residents and parents of Bromfield Acton-Boxborough team members. See https://www.barehillrowing.com/summer for more information.
Fivesparks events
- Plein air artist group: six-week painting series with local artists in various Harvard locations. Space is limited. Wednesdays through July 21, 3 p.m.
- Zoom felting with Rachel Benson: guinea pig, July 1; watermelon funny face, July 7. More classes in August.
- In-person felting with Rachel Benson: rainbow unicorn or sleeping dragon, July 8 and 9; cow, July 8; wet-felted geode, July 9; wet-felted vessel, July 9. More classes in August.
- Summer break Zoom craft classes with Rachel Benson: drawing studio, tiny food, July 7; polymer clay mini-flower pot, July 15. More classes in August.
- Summer jazz workshop for students: Focus on New Orleans-style dixieland jazz. Open to woodwind and brass students with at least two years of experience on their instrument. The session will be held outdoors and end with a concert for family and friends. Monday, July 19 Thursday, July 22, 9 a.m., $125.
Go to fivesparks.org for more information, to sign up for a program, or to get a Zoom link.
Fitchburg Art Museum summer exhibitions
- Through Sept. 5: 85th Regional Exhibition of Art and Craft. Showcasing paintings, photographs, drawings, and sculptural work by local artists, including Harvard-based Mary Morazzi Henderson.
- Through Sept. 5: “Nathan Clark Bentley: Waiting for the Night,” “Signaling Status,” and “Call and Response: Inside Voices,” a collaboration with ArtsWorcester.
- Through Aug. 29: “Valerie Imparato: Interwoven.” Learn more at https://fitchburgartmuseum.org/exhibitions/.
Nashua River Watershed summer programs
- Explore trails and ecosystems with the Nashua River Watershed Association’s outdoor adventures for adults and families.
- Every Wednesday from June through August, NRWA naturalists lead free nature walks in seven watershed communities, featuring two conservation properties in each town. Registration is required and space is limited. For more information or to register, email registration@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
- “Become a Better Birder”: NRWA naturalists Stacey Chilcoat and Gaynor Bigelbach lead this series about birds—their habits, where to find them, and how to identify local birds through a variety of techniques. More information at prescottscc.org/product/become-a-better- birder/.
At Indian Hill Music
Summer Chamber Music Summit: Make music with friends and build ensemble skills. Ages 10-17 (strings, harp) and ages 12-17 (piano, woodwinds). Weeklong sessions, July 12-16 and August 16-20. Learn more and register at bit.ly/3tO7ckI.
At the Museum of Russian Icons
“Atomic Alert!: Confronting ‘The Bomb’ in the New Atomic Age,” an exhibit exploring how the threat of nuclear war shaped American life in the 20th century, through Sunday, August 8. Also, virtual lecture: “Living with the Atomic Bomb: 1945-1965,” with curator Michael Scheibach, Saturday, July 10, 1 p.m. Museum and Clinton Historical Society members free, nonmembers $5, registration required by Friday, July 9. A Zoom link will be emailed to participants the morning of the program. For more information, visit museumofrussianicons.org/.
