Harvard Flea Market returns
The 53rd annual Harvard Flea Market, sponsored by the Harvard Schools Trust and the League of Women Voters of Harvard, will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Bromfield School grounds. Visit 185 booths filled with treasures of all kinds. Adults $5, children 6-12 $1. Early birds 7:30 to 9 a.m. $10. Rain date Sunday, Oct. 12. More information at harvardfleamarket.com.
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
- GraviTrax challenge, ages 8 and older, Thursday, Oct. 16, 3:45 p.m. Build a marble raceway.
- Sensory playtime, all ages, best for under 6. Saturday, Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m. Sensory exploration for young children and their caregivers.
- Bagels and books for sixth-graders, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 3 p.m.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesday, Oct. 22. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- Capsters art, ages 7 and older, Thursday, Oct. 23, 3:45 p.m. Make art from Klutz bottle caps.
- Exhibit: “Celebrations Around the World” features the Korean harvest festival of Chuseok. On view through October in the children’s room.
Teen programs
- Teen readers’ group, grades 7-12, Thursday, Oct. 16, 3 p.m.
Adult programs
- Cookbook club, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m. Browse a cookbook and bring a dish for potluck. This month, Austrian cuisine.
- Brown bag book club, Wednesday, Oct. 15, noon.
- Welcome to the graveyard with The Gravestone Girls, Thursday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grown-ups, Thursday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. Subject is “Nevermoor” series by Jessica Townsend.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
Exhibit “Overheard in the Orchard,” Ellen Harasimowicz, Linda Hoffman, and Ariel Matisse. On view through Nov. 15.
Public reception for “Overheard in the Orchard,” Sunday, Oct. 12, 3 to 5 p.m.
Felt a cat. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 6:30 to 8:15 p.m.
Fall music series concert, RD King plus Lindsay Straw and Andy Cambria. Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Piano recital at Fivesparks
Pianist D.J. Cleavinger will present an intimate night of music Friday, Oct. 10, 7:30 to 9 p.m., at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank St. A native of Cincinnati, Cleavinger completed his Master of Music from Boston University in 2025 as a student of Pavel Nersessian, and has performed at summer festivals in Austria, Germany, Puerto Rico, Spain, and across the U.S. The program will include Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata and Chopin’s 12 Etudes, Opus 10. Tickets $20, seniors and students $15, under 12 free. Proceeds will benefit the annual Fivesparks Music Festival.
Fall bazaar at St. Benedict Center
St. Benedict Center and the Immaculate Heart of Mary School will hold their annual fall bazaar and yard sale Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 271 and 282 Still River Road. Enjoy ethnic food booths, homemade apple pies and baked goods, raffles, games, and a treasure hunt yard sale.
Meet Bella the owl
The Harvard Conservation Trust will host a live owl demonstration Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at their booth at the Harvard Flea Market. Alyssa Giaquinto, climate and nature champion with the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Rescue Raptors Campaign, will bring her owl, Bella. See one of these incredible birds up close, learn about their fascinating behaviors, and discover the vital role they play in keeping our ecosystems healthy.
Congregational Church apple festival
The Congregational Church of Harvard will host its Apple Festival Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pies are apple crumb streusel or traditional, baked or frozen. Pies will also be available at their booth at the Harvard Flea Market.
Rockin’ the brewery
The Harvard-based rock duo Phil & Paul will perform a selection of favorite tunes from the ’70s to the present Saturday, Oct. 11, 6 to 9 p.m., at Sterling Street Brewery, 65 Jackson Road, Devens.
Mustard’s Retreat plays at UU Church
Mustard’s Retreat, the folk duo of David Tamulevich and Libby Glover, will play a benefit concert Saturday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m., at the Fellowship Building of the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church. Tickets $35, proceeds will go to the Bread of Life Ministry food pantry in Lancaster and Sharing is Caring food pantry in Clinton.
Blessing of the Animals service
The Unitarian Universalist Church and the Congregational Church of Harvard will host a community Blessing of the Animals Sunday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m., outdoors on the Common.
Bring your crowd-friendly, furry, feathered, or scaly family member (or a photo), whether living or remembered. Stuffed animals are also welcome. Kids will help lead with songs, readings, and interactive moments of blessing. Stay afterwards for cider and donuts. All are welcome.
Loyal Foe Brewing pouring event
Harvard-based microbrewery Loyal Foe Brewing Company will host a pouring event Sunday, Oct. 12, noon to 5 p.m., at Westward Orchards, 178 Mass. Ave. Enjoy live music and farm store favorites, with pours of beer available for sale for on-site consumption.
Time Traveler at Carlson Orchards
Time Traveler with Suzanne Buell will perform outdoors Sunday, Oct. 12, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Carlson’s Cider Barn, 115 Oak Hill Road. Bring the family for apple-picking and a hayride, then relax with pizza and signature ciders. The Harvard-based band plays an eclectic mix of traditional folk, blues, and country, with a bit of retro pop.
Sculpture at the orchard
The exhibit “Around the Pond and Through the Woods” will be open for self-guided tours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Monday, Oct. 13, at Old Frog Pond Farm and Studio, 38 Eldridge Road. See pieces ranging from kinetic sculptures to natural material installations, all placed to interact with the land and the elements. Admission $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children.
Six generations of an African American family
On Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m., Harvard resident Joan Blue will present “The Hazards: 6 Generations of an African American Family in Harvard” at the Historical Society, 215 Still River Road. Blue will trace her family from Thomas Hazard, who may have come from England, enslaved, and from Tower Hazard Jr., who came to Harvard and purchased a house on East Bare Hill Road. The presentation will include slides of family members and pictures of their homes, and many stories. Free but donations are appreciated.
Camp Green Eyrie open house
Join the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts for an open house at Camp Green Eyrie Friday, Oct. 17, 4 to 6:30 p.m., at 69 Still River Road. Get a taste of camp life; try your hand at archery and hatchet throwing, take in the beauty of the pond, and enjoy a classic campfire with s’mores. Harvard residents only, preregistration not required.
Preschool open house
Applewild Preschool, 27 Jackson Road, Devens, will hold an open house Saturday, Oct. 18, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., for toddler, pre-school, and pre-K aged children. Meet the teachers, and see the indoor and outdoor classrooms and art and yoga studios. Children are encouraged to attend. Contact Sherri Ebner at sebner@applewild.org or visit applewild.org.
Apple festival at Carlson’s
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, will hold their annual apple festival Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come for music, local artisans, food trucks, apple picking, and more.
Halloween parade, party
The Harvard Family Association will hold its annual Halloween costume party and parade Sunday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the Common and at Fivesparks. Begin with a costume parade, followed by pumpkin decorating, live animal presentations by Amazing Animal Ambassadors, music with Mister Vic, and games and surprises for the whole family. The Harvard General Store will provide free pizza at noon, and discounts on food for all. Free.
Run for the Hills 5K
The Harvard Conservation Trust’s Run for the Hills will take place Sunday, Oct. 26, with a 5K race at 10 a.m. and a kids’ 1-mile fun run at 10:50 a.m., at the Community Harvest Project barn, 115 Prospect Hill Road. All proceeds benefit HCT’s efforts to preserve the character and natural resources of rural Harvard. Learn more and register at bit.ly/RFTH2025.
Save these dates
- Sunday, Nov. 9: PTO Running to Class fun run and 5K
- Friday, Nov. 14: Turkey Raffle
- Saturday, Nov. 22: Parker Charter School fun run.
OUT OF TOWN
Tour Shirley Shaker Village
Two-hour guided tours of Shirley’s Shaker village site will be held Sundays, Oct. 12 and Oct. 26, starting at 12:30 p.m. The property is part of the state prison system and can only be accessed by special arrangement. The tour will begin inside a Shaker building with a brief illustrated lecture on the history of the Shakers and the Shirley Shaker Village and continue to two other Shaker buildings, with travel by prison van.
Reservations for this unique opportunity must be made and $20 per person paid in advance at the Shirley Historical Society. Contact Meredith at mail@shirleyhistory.org for more details.
Free community concert at Groton Hill
Hear the Boston-based, progressive-acoustic string band High Horse in an afternoon of virtuosic chops, tight vocals, and overall great vibes Wednesday, Oct. 22, noon, at Groton Hill Music Center, 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton. Free but tickets are required; ticketing opens Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Visit grotonhill.org/community-engagement/community-concerts.
Native bees of New England
Biologist and bee researcher Michael Veit will speak on local bees and their diversity and natural history Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the NRWA River Resource Center, 592 Main St., Groton. Learn about the contrasting life styles of species that are flower generalists, flower specialists, and even bees that are nest parasites of other bees. Free, register in advance at nashuariverwatershed.org/native-bees-of-new-england-their-diversity-natural-history-with-michael-veit.
