Fire truck muster
The 99th annual Wachusett Fire Truck Muster will be held Sunday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 1 Still River Road, at the foot of the Common. Firefighters from Bolton, Harvard, Holden, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, and West Boylston will go head-to-head in exciting, fast-paced fire muster competitions while showcasing beautiful antique fire apparatus and a proud fire service tradition. Come celebrate nearly a century of muster tradition and cheer on the local team.
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
- Saturday toddler story time, ages 1 to 3. Saturday, Aug. 29, 10:30 a.m.
- Baby and toddler disco party, ages 0 to 3+ and their grown-ups, Thursday, Sept. 3, 10:30 a.m. Dance and have fun with your child; includes flashing lights and noise.
- Paws and Read, grades K-5, Wednesday, Sept. 9. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- Rockabye Beats sing-along concert, all ages. Thursday, Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m.
Teen programs
- Teen advisory board, grades 7-12, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 3 p.m. Help shape collections and programs for teens.
- Teen readers club, grades 7-12, Thursday, Sept. 10, 3 p.m.
Adult programs
- Tai Chi workshop, Saturday, Aug. 29, 10 to 10:30 a.m.
- Music on the Lawn: The Common End. For all ages. Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:30 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,” juried show by the Central Massachusetts Pastel Society. On view Aug. 25 to Sept. 25.
- Bounce and Burn fitness, Saturday, Aug. 29, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
- Music is Meditation, Fridays, Sept. 4 to Dec. 18, 9 to 9:50 a.m.
- “Marks of Distinction” reception and awards ceremony, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2 to 4 p.m.
Kite festival
Fruitlands Museum will hold a kite festival Saturday, Aug. 29, 1 to 4 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Soak in the panoramic views as vibrant kites dance across the sky. Bring your own to join the spectacle. Kites Over New England will be on hand with stunning high-flying kites, expert tips for beginners, and unique designs available for purchase.
Free to members and children under 6; $10 for nonmember adults. Space is limited and preregistration is encouraged. (TheTrustees.org/event/446642).
Yoga with alpacas
The Harvard Alpaca Ranch will hold a yoga session Sunday, Aug. 30, 9:30 a.m., at 58 Old Mill Road. Resident yogi Krista Schepanovsky will lead yoga for all ages and abilities, joined by the alpacas. $32 per person, bring a yoga mat or beach towel and a water bottle. (HarvardAlpacaRanch.com).
Community fair
Scouting America Harvard Pack 10, Troops 1 and 7001, will hold a community fair Sunday, Aug. 30, 3 to 6 p.m., on the lawn at the Harvard Public Library, with prizes, ice cream, and food. All community members are welcome to participate in relay races, tug-of-war, crafts, orienteering, scavenger hunts, lashing challenges, and bursting boomerangs, all organized by Harvard Scouts. Free.
Popsicle picnic for kindergartners
Parents with kindergartners starting at Hildreth Elementary School this fall are invited to the HES playground Monday, Aug. 31, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., for popsicles and playground time and to meet other kindergartners and their families. This free event is open to all incoming HES kindergartners and their families and is sponsored by the Harvard Schools PTO.
Opportunities for community involvement
The Harvard Girl Scouts will hold Harvard Community Connections Thursday, Sept. 3, 5 to 7 p.m., at Hildreth Elementary School. Attendees may explore the many organizations, clubs, and community resources that make Harvard a special place to live. Baked goods and a food truck will be available. Learn about upcoming local activities and events, find opportunities to get involved, and connect with neighbors. Free and open to all.
Sculpture at the orchard
Old Frog Pond Farm and Studio will hold the opening reception for its outdoor sculpture exhibit “The Art of Noticing” Sunday, Sept. 6, 1 to 5 p.m., at 38 Eldridge Road. The exhibit includes over 50 sculptures plus a collection of plein air poems scattered along trails around the pond and through the woods. Follow the self-guided tour, pick organic raspberries, listen to music by friends, and enjoy refreshments. Free and open to all.
Sculpture trails are open to the public for self-guided tours Wednesdays through Sundays to Oct. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children. (OldFrogPondFarm.com/upcoming-events).
Devens farmers market
The next Devens farmers market will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and will continue every other Tuesday through Oct. 20. The market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, and is at the corner of Elm Street and Jackson Road, across from the Devens Fire Department.(DevensCommunity.com/meetings-and-events).
New families pizza evening
The Harvard Schools PTO invites families new to town to an evening of pizza Wednesday, Sept. 9, 5 to 6:30 p.m., on the lawn outside the Harvard Public Library at 4 Pond Road. Meet other new families and ask questions in person. Sign up ahead so that organizers know how much pizza to get. (info@harvardpto.org).
SPARC tour at Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Commonwealth Fusion Systems will host a tour of SPARC, their prototype fusion energy machine currently under construction, Thursday, Sept. 10, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at 117 Hospital Road, Devens. Space is limited and attendees must be age 18 or older and with government identification. Advance registration is required. (cfs.energy/devens-campus/updates).
WBN addresses artificial intelligence
The Women’s Business Network will meet Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m., at St. Theresa Church, 17 Still River Road. Marketing and business consultant Leia Owen will discuss AI tools and features common in business, what these can achieve, and where a human is still needed in the driver’s seat. Contact Deb Oliva at dboliva@charter.net; guests are welcome.
Save the date
- Saturday, Sept. 19: Lions Club Fall Festival
- Sunday, Sept. 20: PTO pickleball tournament
- Saturday, Sept. 26: Harvard Conservation Trust Community Harvest Project volunteer day
- Saturday, Oct. 10: 54th Annual Harvard Flea Market.
Out of town
Summer fiesta at Wachusett Mountain
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area will host a Latino and Hispanic festival Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 499 Mountain Road, Princeton. Enjoy vibrant music, delicious food, guided Latin social dancing, and workshops in salsa and bachata dancing. Ride the chair lift to the summit for a bird’s-eye view of the valley. (wachusett.com/events/summerfest-2026).
Craft beer and food truck festival
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley will hold their fifth annual Assabet Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival Saturday, Sept. 5, noon to 4 p.m., at 353 Great Road, Stow. This is a family-friendly event with something for everyone: craft beer, food trucks, games for all ages, and live music. Profits support social justice causes of the church. $10 suggested donation, under 12 free, plus $6 per drink. (uucav.org/article/5th-annual-assabet- craft-beer-food-truck-festival).
Tour Shirley Shaker Village
Guided tours of the site of the Shaker village in Shirley will be held Sundays, Sept. 13, Sept. 27, and Oct. 11, 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 are required and $20 per person paid in advance at the Shirley Historical Society.(978-425-9328, or mail@shirleyhistory.org).
