Lions Fall Fest
The Harvard Lions Club will host its annual Fall Fest Saturday, Sept. 13, from 2 to 7 p.m., on the field at the Harvard Public Library, 4 Pond Road. Enjoy live music, food and drinks, yard games, a kids’ area, human foosball, exhibitor booths, and a beer garden. Admission is free.
Registration is open for the inaugural Fall Fest 5K fun run, starting at the Bromfield School at 1:30 p.m. and finishing at the festival. $25 advance registration, $30 on race day. Details and registration are at runsignup.com/Race/MA/Harvard/HarvardLionsFallFest5K.
At the library
The Harvard Public Library is at 4 Pond Road. For the full calendar of events and to register for events, visit harvardpublic library.org/services/events.
Children’s programs
Sensory playtime, all ages, best for under 6. Saturday, Sept. 13, 10:30 a.m. Sensory exploration for young children and their caregivers.
Marshmallow building workshop, all ages. Wednesday, Sept. 17, 12:30 p.m.
Lego club, grades K-6, Saturday, Sept. 20, 1:30 p.m.
Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesday, Sept. 24. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
GraviTrax challenge, ages 8 and older, Thursday, Sept. 25, 3:45 p.m. Build a marble raceway.
Teen programs
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.
Children’s programs
- Sensory playtime, all ages, best for under 6. Saturday, Sept. 13, 10:30 a.m. Sensory exploration for young children and their caregivers.
- Marshmallow building workshop, all ages. Wednesday, Sept. 17, 12:30 p.m.
- Lego club, grades K-6, Saturday, Sept. 20, 1:30 p.m.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesday, Sept. 24. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- GraviTrax challenge, ages 8 and older, Thursday, Sept. 25, 3:45 p.m. Build a marble raceway.
Teen programs
- Teen half day movie, grades 6-12, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m. Watch a movie and decorate cookies.
- Teen reader’s club, grades 7-12, Thursday, Sept. 18, 3 p.m.
- Teen maker day, grades 6-12, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2:45 p.m.
Adult programs
- Cookbook club, Monday, Sept. 15, 6:30 p.m. Browse a cookbook featuring the cuisine of a specific region or culture and bring a dish for potluck.
- Brown bag book club, Wednesday, Sept. 17, noon. Book is “Lucy by the Sea” by Elizabeth Strout.
- Poisoning the well: How forever chemicals contaminated America. Virtual presentation, Thursday, Sept. 18, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grown-ups, Thursday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. Book is “The Secret Library” by Kekla Magoon.
- Artificial intelligence: awareness and discussion, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2 p.m.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Exhibit: “Marks of Distinction,” national juried show by the Central Massachusetts Pastel Society. On view through Sept. 26.
- Reception and awards ceremony for “Marks of Distinction,” Saturday, Sept. 13, 3 to 5 p.m. All are welcome.
- Autumn equinox illuminated labyrinth walk and hand-held labyrinth workshop. Sunday Sept. 21, 1:45 to 4 p.m.
- Free pastels demonstration with master pastelist Robin Frisella. Presented by the Central Mass Pastel Society. Saturday, Sept. 27, 1 to 3pm.
An evening with Joyce Kulhawik
The Warner Free Lecture series will present “Joyce Kulhawik: Lights, Camera, Action” Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., at Volunteers Hall at the library at 4 Pond Road. Kulhawik, an Emmy Award-winning arts and entertainment anchor at WBZ-TV in Boston for 28 years, will describe her experience in the media and how it has evolved over time. She will also address her journey as a three-time cancer survivor, and her work with the American Cancer Society. Free; learn more at warnerfreelecture.org.
Opening reception for pastel exhibit
Fruitlands Museum will host a public reception celebrating the opening of the exhibit “Serenade: A Symphony in Pastel” Saturday, Sept. 13, 1 to 3 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. The exhibit presents the work of Lisa Regopoulos, an award-winning and adventure-loving local pastel artist, and will run in the Wayside Visitors Center through Nov. 2. Admission to the Wayside Gallery for the reception is free.
Sonic Union returns to Carlson Orchards
The Harvard-based rock band Sonic Union will perform outdoors Saturday, Sept. 13, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Carlson’s Cider Barn, 115 Oak Hill Road. Chill out with pizza and signature ciders while listening to a selection of favorite tunes from the ’70s to the present.
0.0 race
Habitat for Humanity will hold a 0.0 race Thursday, Sept. 18, 6 to 8 p.m., at Sterling Street Brewery, 65 Jackson Road, Devens. No training required—just show up, celebrate, and raise a glass for affordable housing. $30 per person, includes race medal, 0.0 sticker, race bib, and drink ticket. Visit ncmhabitat.org/events for information and registration.
Civil War letters
On Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m., the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road, will look back at the Civil War through the letters of a Harvard man serving in the Union Army. Historian and resident Charlotte Visconsi will portray Fanny Whitney, reading her brother Charles’ early letters from the war and sharing the experiences and thoughts of a woman living at home. Free but donations appreciated.
PTO pickleball tournament
The Harvard PTO will host its third annual pickleball tournament Sunday, Sept. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Bromfield tennis courts. Grab a partner and register now for this double elimination tournament open to all ages and skill levels. Victors will be awarded pickleball gear and merchandise from the Marcus Lewis Tennis Center. Spots are limited. Get more information and sign up at harvardpto.org.
Crafts at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will hold their 13th annual craft festival Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21, rain or shine, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 102 Prospect Hill Road. Browse the works of 57 specially selected New England artisans. Admission $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers, children, free; includes entry to all museum galleries and exhibitions. Learn more at thetrustees.org/program/fruitlands-craft-festival.
Celebrate Sun Day
Come to town center across from the general store and center cemetery on Sunday, Sept. 21, 1 to 3 p.m., to see exhibits demonstrating clean energy. Harvard’s Climate Initiative will join the nationwide Sun Day event, showcasing electric vehicles, electric bikes, options for solar panels (rooftop and freestanding), and details on joining a solar farm. Talk with other residents and hear their experiences.
HES book fair
The Harvard Schools PTO and Silver Unicorn Bookstore will hold the school book fair at the Hildreth Elementary School Monday through Friday, Sept. 22-26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with late hours for parents on curriculum night, Thursday, Sept. 25. Find more than 200 titles, including picture books, easy readers, early chapter books, middle grade titles, graphic novels, nonfiction, and activity books. Proceeds will support the teachers and staff of the Hildreth Elementary and Bromfield schools.
Volunteer at Community Harvest Project
The Harvard Conservation Trust will hold a volunteer morning at the Harvard orchard of Community Harvest Project, 115 Prospect Hill Road, Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to noon. Help with picking, sorting, and packaging apples that will be donated to hunger relief partners across central and eastern Massachusetts. Sign up
at harvardconservationtrust.org/community-harvest-projects-volunteer-day-2025.
Candidates forum
The League of Women Voters of Harvard and the Harvard Press will host an online forum Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m, by Zoom. Meet the two candidates for Select Board, Eric Ward and Adam Wool, to hear their viewpoints and positions.
Visit http://bit.ly/47GEFFv to submit your questions through Sept. 24. Viewers may also submit questions during the forum if time allows. Look for the Zoom link at lwvharvard.org or in an advertisement in the Harvard Press Sept. 26.
Save these dates
- Sunday, Sept. 28: Apple Harvest Ramble half marathon and 5K
- Sunday, Sept. 28: Congregational Church community hymn sing
- Saturday, Oct. 11: Harvard Flea Market, St. Benedict Center fall bazaar.
OUT OF TOWN
Outdoor family concert
Minute Man ARC presents the last in its free outdoor summer music series, a capella singing group Manoj a Trois, Friday, Sept. 12, 6 to 7 p.m., at Minute Man Arc Oasis, 35 Forest Ridge Road, Concord. Bring a personal water bottle and a chair or blanket to sit on.
Guided fern walk
Join geologist Elizabeth Perry for an exploration of ferns Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 to 3 p.m., at Farandnear, 156 Center Road, Shirley. See some of the estimated 54 species of ferns growing in Massachusetts and learn identifying characteristics. Free and open to adults and children over age 16. Hosted by the Nashua River Watershed Association; register at nashuariverwater shed.org/guided-fern-walk-in-shirley-ma.
Kinetic sculpture race
The Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race will be run Saturday, Sept. 20, across the city of Lowell, with events from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. See a variety of human-powered, all-terrain sculptures racing over streets, water, mud, and sand. Build a machine and join the race, or simply come enjoy, with activities for kids and families, live bands, food trucks, and a theatrical opening ceremony. For more information and to register a machine, visit lowellkinetic.com.
