Nature and art
A new exhibit: “Nature’s Magic, Sharing the Whimsy of Nature Through Art,” is on view at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street, through Friday, July 29. The show features works by fiber artist Rachel Benson, pastels by Pam Short, and illustrations and watercolors by Colleen Sgroi. Opening reception Sunday, June 26, 3-5 p.m. Learn more at tinyurl.com/3t8cua3d.
At the library
Children’s Programs
- Summer Reading Kickoff, Tuesday, June 28, 4 p.m., with lawn games, popsicles, and classic rock and pop songs performed by local band Electric Orange. Outdoors on the library lawn. Register at forms.gle/F7w9CcEwStuX B8nF6. Rain dates are Wednesday, June 29, and Thursday, June 30, at 4 p.m.
- Davis Bates, storyteller: “The Places You’ll Go,” Tuesday, July 12, 4 p.m. A mixture of family, Native American, international, and regional songs and stories. Outdoors on the library lawn. Register at forms.gle/EmD6r6ECAzdfjBiY6.
- Yo-Yo Guy, Thursday, July 21, 4 p.m. A high-energy comedy yo-yo show. Outdoors on the library lawn. Register at forms.gle/WGUYQq79mAUqpJDw6.
- Animal World Experience, Wednesday, July 27, 4 p.m. Travel beyond the beaten path to discover the world of unusual and amazing animals. Register at forms.gle/8iY1UYXssrnLrNZ56.
- Camp Balloon Magic with Jungle Jim, Wednesday, August 3, 4 p.m. Big balloon sports (volleyball and basketball), animal identification, Magic 101, and a giant 6-foot balloon. Outdoors on the library lawn. Register at forms.gle/a5b62ynTxsMSdoFN6.
- Mr. Vinny the Bubble Guy, Wednesday, August 10, 4:30 p.m. Bubble fun on the library lawn. Register at forms.gle/e5hEmy4ArTUHzJJd9.
- Circle of Songs with Hugh Hanley, Tuesday, August 16, 10:30 a.m. Outdoors on the library lawn. Register at forms.gle/ShNjbmBVvzvYiDZo7.
Story times
Registration is required for all story times. Story times will be held outdoors under the tent. In case of inclement weather, outdoor story time will be canceled (all registrants will be notified in case of cancellation). Register at forms.gle/31ncCNkwptBUT1VH8.
- Ages 0-2: Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., July 7-August 18
- Ages 2 and 3: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., July 13-August 17
- Ages 4, 5, and up: Mondays, 1:30 p.m., July 11-August 15
- Saturday story times: ages 3 to 7: Saturdays, June 25, July 16, and August 13, at 10:30 a.m. With teen volunteers, on the library lawn.
Fivesparks exhibits, classes, activities
Fivesparks is located at 7 Fairbank Street and will stay open during the ongoing roof repair. Get more information and register for all classes via the calendar at fivesparks.org.
- New Class: Zen Enso Circles, Japanese art-making, moving meditation. Sunday, July 17, 1-3:30 p.m.
- Art Is Sweet, kids’ summer three-day workshop with Rachel Benson, Monday, July 18 to Wednesday, July 20, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- New class: Japanese gyotaku fish printing, Saturday, August 6. All-day workshop, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Journal art, kids’ summer three-day workshop with Rachel Benson, Monday to Wednesday, August 8 to 10, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- New class: Sunflower field for Ukraine, felting. Tuesdays, August 9 and 16, 6:30-9 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Ukrainian Red Cross
- In the Little Art Gallery: Works by local watercolorist Ana Hedberg.
- Ongoing: Drop in to work on a community puzzle on the indoor porch.
Music festival
Reserve for ticketed events at Fivesparks’ Fifth Annual Harvard Music Festival at tinyurl.com/5thHMF; no registration needed for “drop-in” sessions or “Asymmetries.”
- Through Friday, June 24: 9 a.m.-noon and 1:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m.: Drop in to a coaching session or master class at:
–Unitarian Universalist Church Sanctuary, 9 Ayer Road
–Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Building, 7 Elm Street
–Congregational Church Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall, 5 Still River Road
- Friday, June 24, 7:30 p.m.: Performance of Jackson Mac Low’s “Asymmetries,” Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church sanctuary, 9 Ayer Road.
- Saturday, June 25, 7:30 p.m.: Ticketed celebration concert. Musicians present their final performances, Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, 9 Ayer Road.
Learn more at fivesparks.org/hmf2022.
Shaker open house
Join the Harvard Historical Society Sunday, June 26, 1 to 4 p.m., at 215 Still River Road for an open house featuring its Shaker collection, including the newly arrived Shaker desk. Refreshments available, along with an opportunity to taste Shaker recipes prepared by the members of the Historical Society. Learn more about the society at harvardhistory.org.
Bare Hill races
The Lions Club will host the Bare Hill races Sunday, June 26, including sprint triathlon, sprint triathlon relay, duathlon, and aquabike. Register online by June 24; in-person registration at 4 Pond Road will be June 25, 4 to 6 p.m. and June 26, 6:30 to 7 a.m. Races start and finish by the town library at 4 Pond Road. Entry fees vary with events. Learn more at trisignup.com/Race/MA/Harvard/BareHillTri.
Row your boat
Bare Hill Rowing Association offers recreational learn-to-row classes for youth and adults as well as opportunities to row for experienced adults and collegiate rowers on Bare Hill Pond, beginning Monday, June 27. Programs run through Saturday, August 13.
Learn-to-row (two oars): Introduction to sculling for youth (rising sixth-graders) to adults. Open to the public. Three stand-alone classes offered at different skill levels. No experience needed. Level II sculling: For those who have completed the learn-to-row course, intermediate level or have previous sculling/sweep rowing experience.
Experienced adult and collegiate rowers: For adults with sculling experience. No water supervision or instruction is provided. Open to Harvard residents, collegiate alumni and parents of Bromfield Acton-Boxborough team members. Visit barehillrowing.com/summer for more information.
Fourth of July race and fun run
The Fourth of July 5-mile race and 1-mile fun run start at the Bromfield School, 14 Mass. Ave. Registration opens Monday, July 4, at 6:30 a.m. with the 5-mile race starting at 8:15 a.m. and the 1-mile fun run at 9:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in six different divisions, and postrace refreshments will be available. Learn more at www.harvardraces.org/races/july-4th-5-miler.
Fun on the Fourth
Independence Day is Harvard’s hometown celebration and longest-running tradition. It is run entirely by volunteers.
Gates open at 5 p.m. for the concert and fireworks on Monday, July 4, on the hillside of Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road. Bring your own picnic or enjoy food prepared by Dean’s Concessions, with music by the BarnBurners and Ashley
Jordan. Park in the fields of Fruitlands or take a shuttle bus from the Bromfield School. Admission is $40 per car or $10 to walk in. Round-trip shuttle bus fare including admission is $15.
On Saturday, July 2, the town celebrates with a bike-decorating contest for kids, a downtown parade, an antique car show, and an afternoon of field events for all ages, with food by the Lions Club.
Fourth of July T-shirts and other items are available through Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to noon next to the General Store. Visit harvard4thofjuly.org for more information.
Concord Band returns to Fruitlands
The Concord Band will play at Fruitlands Museum for the first time since July 2019. Concerts take place Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. with “Spectacular Broadway” on June 29; “America Celebrates” on July 6; and “Summer Retrospective” on July 13. Online reservations at tinyurl.com/fruitlands are encouraged to reduce wait times at the entrance; admission is per carload with Fruitlands/Trustees members receiving a discount.
Fruitlands summer concerts
The Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, presents its lineup of summer concerts on the lawn. Shows begin at 7 p.m.; gates open at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, and a picnic basket.
- July 8: Livingston Taylor with Vance Gilbert
- July 14: Della Mae
- July 21: Hotel California
- July 28: The Love Dogs
- August 4: Duppy Conquerors
- August 19: Ryan Montbleau Band
The Bravehearts return
The 10th annual Bravehearts ride and family day takes place Saturday, July 16. Join the more than 400 cyclists who brave a 25- or 50-mile course through the back roads and challenging hills of Harvard to help kids with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., with a rolling, at-will start. Learn more at braveheartsfodc.com.
OUT OF TOWN
Strike up the band
Join the John Philip Sousa National High School Honor Band for “A Star-Spangled Celebration,” conducted by Michael J. Colburn. The music starts Monday, June 27, 7 p.m. at Monument Park, Gardner, Tuesday, June 28, 5 p.m. at Athol Town Hall, and Wednesday, June 29, at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, at 7 p.m. Learn more at sousanhsband.com.
