Memorial Day events
Harvard’s Memorial Day commemorations will be held Monday, May 27. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the police and fire departments, and all veterans who wish to walk in the parade are welcome. The Immaculate Heart of Mary marching band will also participate.
Schedule
- 9:40 a.m. Assembly of parade participants at Town Hall.
- 9:45 a.m. Parade units line up at Town Hall.
- 10 a.m. Parade marches to Civil War memorial; reading of General Order #11, May 5, 1868; placement of wreath at Civil War memorial; taps played.
- 10:10 a.m. Parade marches to Center Cemetery; geraniums placed at each veteran’s gravesite by children; wreath placed at Founders’ Flagpole; taps played.
- 10:25 a.m. Parade marches to town center memorials; wreaths placed at combined World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf war memorial; taps played.
- 10:30 a.m. Parade marches to town center flagpole; wreath placed at World War I memorial, and taps played; national anthem with concurrent raising of U.S. flag; keynote address; tolling of the bell with reading of veterans who have died since last Memorial Day.
- 11 a.m. Parade units released at Town Hall.
- 11:20 a.m. Parade reassembles at the former Still River post office; wreath placed at Cpl. Skillings memorial; taps played.
- 11:45 a.m. Parade reassembles at Bellevue Cemetery; parade marches using inside loop; wreath placed at Bellevue Cemetery flagpole and taps played; children place geraniums at each veteran’s gravesite.
- Time to be decided. Wreaths placed at Steward grave, Poor Farm Road, and at Shaker Cemetery.
Pancake breakfast
The Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church will host its Memorial Day pancake breakfast Monday, May 27, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the church’s Fellowship Building, 7 Elm Street. The event is free, though there will be options to donate to local charities. Pancakes, fruit, sausage, and coffee will be served, with gluten-free and vegetarian options.
At the library
The library is at 4 Pond Road. For a full calendar of events, visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/events. Register for all children’s programs at eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=Harvard.
Children’s programs
- Book buddies, grades 1-4, Thursday, May 30, 3:45 p.m. Teen volunteers help with reading.
- Ice cream social, all ages, Tuesday, June 25, 4 p.m., rain dates Wednesday, June 26, and Thursday, June 27. Pre-registration is greatly appreciated.
Teen programs
- Teen treats, grades 6-12, Thursday, May 30, 3 p.m. Decorate goodies like cookies or cupcakes.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Closed Sunday and Monday; open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule and more information.
- Art exhibit, “Natural Inspirations: Paintings by Barry Van Dusen.” Open through Saturday, May 25.
- Exhibit, “Inheritance: The Art of Sebastian Ambrus Kiss and Mercedes Lucia Kiss,” father and daughter in dialogue. Opens Saturday, June 1. Public reception Sunday, June 9, 3 to 5 p.m.
- Summer Plein Air Artists Group. Six-week series. Donations to benefit Fivesparks. Thursdays, June 6-July 18.
- “Caverns of Youth,” a live music release by Emma Sullivan, with Erin Sullivan. Saturday, June 8, 7 p.m.
Family hike night
Fruitlands Museum will offer a guided trail hike Friday, May 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 7 and up, the nighttime hike covers 1¼ miles of moderate trail, with some uneven terrain and uphill climbs. No flashlights or headlamps are used. For information and registration visit thetrustees.org/event/416370.
Kite festival
Fruitlands Museum and Kites Over New England will hold a kite festival Saturday, May 25, 1 to 4 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Take in the sweeping views from atop the hillside and celebrate the landscape as kites fill the sky. Make a simple kite at the craft table or bring your own. Free with grounds admission, but space is limited and preregistration is highly encouraged. Register at thetrustees.org/event/416584.
Work with the MIT climate simulator
The Harvard Climate Initiative Committee invites residents to participate with Bromfield students in working with the MIT climate simulator Wednesday, May 29, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Bromfield School library. Reservations required by May 27 at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/havardclimateinitiativecommittee/1219521.
Remove invasive plants
Join the Land Stewardship Subcommittee of the Conservation Commission in removing invasive plants Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Clapp-Scorgie conservation land. Meet in the field off Turner Lane where the trail enters the woods. Rain date is Sunday, June 2.
Work will involve digging and pulling out plants by the roots and cutting vines and branches. Bring work gloves and weeding devices, trowels or pointed shovels, clippers, loppers, or pruning saws. There will be extra tools on hand. Boots are helpful, and be prepared for ticks, bugs, and poison ivy. Plants to be removed include garlic mustard, bittersweet, barberry, buckthorn, bush honeysuckle, privet, multiflora rose, and black swallowwort. For questions contact brianrmcc1@gmail.com or 978-736-0624 (for use June 1 or 2).
Irish music at Fivesparks
The trio Fódhla will bring Irish traditional music to Fivesparks Saturday, June 1, 7:30 p.m. Admission is by freewill offering; suggested amounts are $20-25 for adults and $10-15 for teens and seniors. Reserve a seat by emailing notloBreservations@gmail.com.
CD release celebration
David Pihl, pianist, and local musician Steve Peisch will celebrate the release of their CD featuring Peisch’s piano music Sunday, June 2, 4 p.m., at Fivesparks. Pihl will play selections on a fine piano. Refreshments will be served, followed by a pizza party upstairs at the Harvard General Store.
OUT OF TOWN
‘All Is Imagination’
“Tout Est Imagination,” the art of Harvard resident and artist Brigitte Livet de Sautels, will be on display through May 30 at the Bradford Mill/ArtScape gallery, 43 Bradford St., second floor, West Concord. The artist’s work includes mixed media collages, watercolors, and large oil paintings. Learn more at bradfordmill.com/tout-est-imagination-exhibit.
ShirleyArts! festival
ShirleyArts! will host ShirleyFest on the Shirley Center Common, Saturday June 1, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy a day of entertainment and kids’ activities, shop the crafts tables, and take aim at the dunk tank. Local nonprofit organizations will have information booths and sell lunch.
