Healing Garden Walk and Ride
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Perennial Walk and Ride for walkers, cyclists, runners, and their supporters is taking place through Oct. 6. Walk or ride at your own place and at your own pace, or start a team with friends or family. Teams are asked to commit to raise $2,000 or more and individuals $500 or more. A $45 registration fee goes toward fundraising goals. Learn more and register at secure.qgiv.com/event/pwr_2024.
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.
- Library pavilion grand opening party, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Brown bag book club, Wednesday, Sept. 11, noon.
- Paws and read, grades K through 6, Wednesday, Sept. 11 and Sept. 25. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4, 4:15, and 4:30 p.m.
- Tote bag craft, grades K through 6, Thursday, Sept. 12, 3:45 p.m. Decorate with fabric markers, fabric paint, and rhinestones.
- Caterpillar lab, all ages, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Learn about metamorphosis and hear incredible but true stories.
Fruitlands fall concert series
Fruitlands Museum announces its fall concert series, Thursdays through Oct. 24, at 102 Prospect Hill Road. For information and tickets visit thetrustees.org/fruitlandsconcerts. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.
- Sept. 5, Ellis Paul with special guest Crys Matthews; 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. shows.
- Sept. 12, Jeffrey Foucault album release party; 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Sept. 19, Sol y Canto celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month; 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 26, Harrison Goodell and Jake Swamp and the Pine; 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 3, Mary Gauthier; 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 17, Carsie Blanton; 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 24, Seth Glier; 6:30 p.m.
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.
- “In Awe of Nature: Two Artistic Perspectives.” Exhibit with Judith Stein monotype prints and Stephanie Elkort fine photography. On view through Sept. 5.
- Drawing lessons by the green, all levels. Fall session, Fridays, Sept. 6 to Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to noon.
- Upcoming exhibit: Marks of Distinction National Juried Art Show, presented by the Central Mass. Pastel Society (CMPS). On view Sept. 10 to Oct. 4. Public reception and awards ceremony Saturday, Sept. 21, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Gallery tour and pastels talk with Jane Robbins, CMPS President. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m. Free.
- Taiwan mahjong, fall session 1, Wednesdays, Sept. 11 – Oct. 2, 2 to 4 p.m.
- School early release, kids microgreens potting workshop. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.
Art unveiling
MassDevelopment will hold a public art unveiling, “Reflections of Rogers Field,” Wednesday, Sept. 4, 4 to 4:30 p.m., at 43 Buena Vista St., Devens. Rain date Sept. 5. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.
Library pavilion party
The Harvard Public Library’s board of trustees will host a party for the opening of the new outdoor pavilion Saturday, Sept. 7, 2 to 4 p.m., at 4 Pond Road. There will be lawn games, light refreshments, and live performances featuring the bands One Twenty Too and Neighborhood Panic. The event is free and open to the public. Bring a blanket or chair. Signups are appreciated but not required; visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/about/programs/harvard-public-library-pavilion-party.
Sculpture at the orchard
Old Frog Pond Farm and Studio will hold the opening reception to their sculpture exhibit “Around the Pond and Through the Woods” Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 to 5 p.m. at 38 Eldridge Road. Enjoy live music, an interactive dance performance, and organic fruit picking. Free and open to all. The annual outdoor exhibit features the work of 40 talented sculptors. Hours for self-guided tours with maps are Wednesdays through Sundays, Sept. 4 to Monday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Golf tournament
Habitat for Humanity will host the 2024 Building Dreams Golf Tournament Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Red Tail Golf Club, 15 Bulge Road, Devens. Enjoy a day of golf to support Habitat for Humanity’s goals of building two homes and completing at least 24 critical home repairs each year. Visit ncmhabitat.org/events for information and registration.
Fusion energy talk and tour
Join Commonwealth Fusion Systems for a tour and talk on SPARC, the world’s first commercially relevant fusion energy machine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at 117 Hospital Road, Devens. Learn how SPARC will work from CFS Director of Tokamak Operations Alex Creely, who has worked on fusion projects around the world. Afterward, meet members of the CFS team and tour Tokamak Hall where SPARC is under construction. Space is limited and attendees must be 18 and older. Proper attire is required, including long pants and closed toe, hard-soled shoes. Advance registration is required; visit cfs.energy/devens-campus/events.
Fall Fest
The Harvard Lions Club will host its annual Fall Fest Saturday, Sept. 14, from 3 to 9 p.m. on the field at the Harvard Public Library, 4 Pond Road. Live music, food, beverages (including beer and wine), and games will be featured. Admission is free.
OUT OF TOWN
Lafayette visits Bolton, Lancaster
General Marquis de Lafayette fought in the Revolutionary War, becoming George Washington’s most trusted general, and traveled across America in 1824 and 1825 before returning to France. The 200th Anniversary Tour of America event recreates his path.
The Bolton Historical Society will recreate the arrival of Lafayette at the Wilder Mansion Monday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. at 101 Wilder Road, Bolton. Lafayette spent the night at the mansion as a guest of his friend Sampson Vryling Stoddard Wilder.
The First Church of Lancaster will welcome Lafayette Tuesday, Sept. 3, 9 to 10 a.m., at 725 Main St., Lancaster. General Lafayette will recite the speech he gave 200 years ago and will take questions from the public.
For more information about the full 24-state bicentennial tour and events, visit Lafayette200.org.
Family-friendly outdoor concert
Puerto Rico native and recording artist Fabiola Mendez will perform Sunday, Sept. 8, 5 p.m., outdoors on the lawn at Groton Hill Music Center, 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton. Playing the cuatro, Puerto Rico’s national instrument, Mendez will share and celebrate folk music and collective storytelling. The grounds will open at 3:30 p.m. for picnics. Visit grotonhill.org/concerts/fabiola-mendez for tickets and information; free tickets for children under 12.
Tour Shirley Shaker Village
Two-hour guided tours of the site of the Shaker village in Shirley will be held Sunday, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, and Oct. 27, 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.
