Memorial Day events
Harvard’s Memorial Day commemorations will be held Monday, May 26. 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.
- 10:00 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. arade marches to Center Cemetery; geraniums placed at each veteran’s gravesite by children; wreath placed at Founders’ Flagpole; taps played.
- 10:25 a.m. arade marches to town center memorials; wreaths placed at combined World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf war memorial; taps played.
- 10:30 a.m. arade 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 the names of veterans who have died since last Memorial Day.
- 11:00 a.m. arade units released at Town Hall.
- 11:20 a.m. arade reassembles at the former Still River post office; wreath placed at Cpl. Skillings memorial; taps played.
- 11:45 a.m. arade 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. reaths placed at Stewart grave, Poor Farm Road, and Shaker Cemetery.
Pancake breakfast
The Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church will host its Memorial Day pancake breakfast Monday, May 26, from 8 to 10 a.m., at the church’s Fellowship Building, 7 Elm St. The event is free, though there will be options to donate to Clear Path for Veterans. Pancakes, fruit, sausage, and coffee will be served, with gluten-free and vegetarian options.
At the library
The Harvard Public Library is at 4 Pond Road. For the full calendar of events and to register for events, visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/events.
Teen maker program, grades 6-12, Thursday, May 29, 3 p.m. Crafts projects.
“WWII: Letters from a Young Soldier,” Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m. Genealogist Seema-Jayne Kenney uses family letters to tell stories of life during wartime.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Exhibit: Mardie Luppold, “Archetypes: Making the Invisible, Visible,” through May 24.
- Creating luminous portraits on toned paper, Friday, May 23, and Friday, May 30, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Off-Brand Comedy Improv Troupe, Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, 7:30 p.m.
- Upcoming exhibit: “4 Voices in Color,” works of Susan Aeschbach, Cathie Brenner, Margo Ezekiel, and Judith Stein. Opens Saturday, May 31.
Murder mystery plays at Cannon Theatre
The Cannon Theatre will present the final weekend of the Tony Award winning comic romp “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” Friday to Sunday, May 23-25, at 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. curtain; Sunday 2 p.m. curtain. Tickets and information at thecannontheatre.org.
Rockin’ the orchard
The Harvard-based rock duo Phil & Paul will perform a selection of classic and contemporary tunes Saturday, May 24, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road.
Food truck and craft festival
Join for a day of fun Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Verbeck Field, Antietam Street, Devens. Enjoy food trucks, craft vendors, live musical performances, cornhole, and more. No pets. Rain date Sunday, June 1.
New moon birthing ceremony
Gather at Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio, 38 Eldridge Road, Friday, May 30, 7 to 8:30 p.m., for an experiential event for the mind, body, heart, and soul. Co-hosts Sarah Shulman and Cecile Raynor will lead. Harness the energy of spring and the new moon along with the cleansing energy of fire, and promote restored energy for achieving life goals and optimal well-being. Free, no experience needed. Sign up at oldfrogpondfarm.com/upcoming-events.
Climate Initiative Committee home tours
On Saturday, May 31, 2 to 4 p.m., meet homeowners who will share their knowledge and experiences about approaches to sustainable living. Five homes will be open for visits. See solar installations, air source and geothermal heat pumps, electric vehicles, and more. For complete information and locations and to register go to harvardmaclimateinitiative.org.
Rock the night away
The Harvard Schools Trust will hold “Rock the Night Away 2” Saturday, May 31, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., at Billiards Cafe, 39 Main St. #201, Ayer. Join for a great night of socializing and music, with local bands the Barn Burners and Wednesday Night Project. Proceeds support the initiatives of the Harvard Schools Trust. Tickets and HST membership at harvardschoolstrust.org.
Living history tour of Revolutionary War soldiers’ graves
The Harvard Historical Society will hold a living history tour of the Center Cemetery Saturday, May 31; rain date June 1. Visit the graves of six Revolutionary War soldiers, and hear their stories told by reenactors. Tours start at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; meet at the cemetery entrance next to the General Store. Free, but donations are welcome. Email curator@harvardhistory.org indicating the intended tour time.
Opening reception for pastels exhibit
Fruitlands Museum will host an opening reception for the biannual group show of the Central Massachusetts Pastel Society Sunday, June 1, 1 to 3 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. See the works of elected professional artists in a show celebrating the beauty of color and light in a wonderful and diverse medium. Admission to the Wayside Gallery for the reception is free.
Save the date
- Sunday, June 8, Harvard Lions Bare Hill triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike
- Wednesday, June 11, Concord Band concerts begin at Fruitlands
- Tuesday, June 24, library ice cream social.
OUT OF TOWN
Guided tour of Gropius House
Tour the Gropius House, 68 Baker Bridge Road, Lincoln, as part of the Freedom’s Way Hidden Treasures series Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. Walter Gropius, founder of the German design school known as the Bauhaus, was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, and the modest 1938 Gropius family home was revolutionary in impact. Free, preregistration is required. Visit freedomsway.org/event/history-guided-tour-of-gropius-house.
Free Sunday at the Icon Museum
Come for a fun and free day at the Icon Museum and Study Center Sunday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 203 Union St., Clinton. Explore the collection of Russian, Greek, and Ethiopian icons and Orthodox works of art in the the only specialized museum for icons and Eastern Christian art in the United States. Iconmuseum.org.
Evening paddle on the Squannacook River
Enjoy an evening paddle on the Squannacook River in West Groton Wednesday, May 28, or Wednesday, June 4, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nashua River Watershed Association educator and naturalist Gaynor Bigelbach will show how bird and animal activity changes from late afternoon to dusk. For ages 16 and older. Free.
To register, email gaynorb@nashuariverwatershed.org with contact information, group size, and choice of date. Canoes, paddles, and flotation devices will be provided; personal equipment cannot be used.
