Halloween events
The Harvard Family Association will hold its annual Halloween costume party and parade Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Common and at Fivesparks. The costume parade begins at 10:45 a.m., followed by Amazing Animal Ambassadors, Music with Mister Vic, and Storytime with Miss Abby. Free and open to all; register at harvardfamilyassociation.com; click on Event Calendar.
Trick-or-treating in the center of town will take place Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. on and around the Common. Several other neighborhoods in Harvard also host their own trick-or-treating; check with your neighbors.
The annual Devens Halloween parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, at the corner of Sherman Ave. and Elm Road, Devens. Trick-or-treating will follow from 5 to 7 p.m.
At the library
The library is at 4 Pond Road. Selected events only; for a full calendar of events, visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/events. Register for all children’s programs at harvardpubliclibrary.org/children/programs (note new site for registration).
Children’s programs
- Family movie night, Friday, Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m. Animated film from 2024 about imaginary friends, rated PG.
- Saturday story time, ages 3-7, Saturday, Nov. 2, 10:30 a.m. The theme is tigers.
- Lego club, grades K-6, Saturday, Nov. 2, 1:30 p.m.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesdays, Nov. 6 and Nov. 20. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4, 4:15, and 4:30 p.m.
- Fantastic furries, all ages, Thursday, Nov. 14, 12:30 p.m. Meet animals from around the world.
Teen programs
- After-school movie, grades 6 and up, Thursday, Nov. 7, 3 p.m.
- Teen maker program, grades 6-12, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3 p.m. Craft projects.
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.
- Exhibit: “Over, Under and Through the Warp: The Art of Tapestry Weaving” presented by Tapestry Weavers in New England (TWINE). On view through Nov. 9.
- Nurture your creative practice class series, Mondays, Oct. 28 to Nov. 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Taiwan mahjong, fall session 2, Wednesdays, Oct. 30 to Nov. 20, 6 to 8 p.m.
- “The Means of Keeping” book event with author Rich Marcello, Sunday, Nov. 3, 4 p.m.
- Pastel landscape painting with Ann Gillespie, Wednesdays, Nov. 6 through Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- School half-day felting for ages 9-13, 2 days, Thursdays, Nov. 14 and 21, 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. Create a fox and seasonal ornaments.
- Evening felting for adults and teens, 2 days, Thursdays, Nov. 14 and 21, 6:15 to 8 p.m. Create a fox and seasonal ornaments.
‘Play On!’
The Cannon Theatre, 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens, will present the Rick Abbot comedy “Play On!” running Oct. 25 through Nov. 9. A hilarious love letter to community theater, “Play On!” is the story of an amateur company, an inexperienced playwright, and an inept cast trying to stage a murder mystery without a murder. For tickets and information visit thecannontheatre.org.
Longsword dancing
Still River Longsword will be touring Harvard Saturday, Oct. 26, with stands outdoors at the Congregational Church, 5 Still River Road, at 12:15 p.m. and at Westward Orchards, 178 Mass. Ave., at 2:15 p.m. See the centuries-old custom of English longsword dancing and hear music played on traditional instruments.
‘Run for the Hills’
The Harvard Conservation Trust’s “Run for the Hills” will take place Sunday, Oct. 27, 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. The 5K course loops through an orchard and adjacent woods and fields, while the fun run stays on trails inside the orchard. All proceeds benefit HCT’s efforts to preserve the character and natural resources of rural Harvard. Learn more and register at runsignup.com/Race/MA/Harvard/RunfortheHills2021.
Fall walk on conservation land
The Harvard Conservation Commission’s Land Stewardship Subcommittee will lead a walk on the Sprague land in Still River Saturday, Nov. 2, 1:30 p.m. Meet at the parking area on West Bare Hill Road, and walk a loop through the woods to a vantage point overlooking an inlet to Bare Hill Pond. The field edges are favored by birds and the 200+ acres of contiguous conservation land is home to a variety of wildlife. About two miles total at a moderate pace, wear tick protection. Dogs allowed on leash. Drizzle OK; rain cancels. For details, contact Wendy Sisson at mwsisson4@gmail.com.
Fruitlands bonfire
Fruitlands Museum will hold its 11th annual bonfire Saturday, Nov. 2, 5 to 7 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Enjoy the fire with s’mores and a drum circle. For more information and tickets visit thetrustees.org/event/423982. Rain date Sunday, Nov. 3, 4 to 6 p.m. (note time change).
Women’s self-defense seminar
The Harvard Police Department and Force Defense and Fitness of Holden will host a free self-defense seminar Thursday, Nov. 7, 6 to 8 p.m., upstairs at Town Hall. Open to women ages 18 and older, this hands-on program will teach valuable information on situational awareness and basic self-defense techniques. Advance registration is required; send email to frussell@harvard-ma.gov. Wear gym attire and sneakers.
Journey home 5K/10K
Clear Path for Veterans New England will hold their annual 5K/10K race Sunday, Nov. 10, starting at 10 a.m. at 84 Antietam St., Devens. Join to run or walk a beautiful 5K/10K course and honor line in support of veterans and first responders. Proceeds go to benefit Clear Path for Veterans NE, a wellness-based veterans community center. Learn more and register in advance at runtruenorth.redpodium.com/2024-journey-home-road-race.
Save the date
- Friday, Nov. 15, Townwide book discussion of “Defiant Dreams.”
- Sunday, Nov. 17, PTO 5K and fun run.
OUT OF TOWN
Davis Farmland corn maze
The mega maze at Davis Farmland will be open Saturday, Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 142 Redstone Hill, Sterling. This year’s maze encompasses 8 acres of corn and almost 3 miles of puzzling pathways, with games inside the maze for adventure seekers. Visit davismegamaze.com for tickets and information.
Become a certified weed warrior
The Sudbury Valley Trustees and the Bolton Conservation Commission will conduct weed warrior training Wednesday, Oct. 30, starting at 1 p.m. at the Bowers Springs conservation area off Flanagan Road in Bolton. Learn to identify and, using simple tools, remove non-native invasive plants such as glossy buckthorn, Asian bittersweet, burning bush, and Japanese barberry.
For more about the program visit svtweb.org/stewardship/weed%20warrior%20program. To register, email concom@townofbolton.com or call 978-779-3304.
Shirley film festival
The Shirley Meeting House will hold a film festival Saturday, Nov. 2, at 41 Brown Road, Shirley. The annual festival features a diverse selection of short films and documentaries. Free, bring a cushion for the hard seats. Visit shirleymeetinghouse.org/meeting-house-programs/shirley-film-fest for film titles and times.
JUMP ‘friend-raiser’
JUMP (Just Understand My Potential) will host a youth recognition and appreciation ceremony Thursday, Nov. 7, 4 to 7 p.m. at Leominster Eagles #477, 456 Litchfield St., Leominster. Founded and directed by Harvard resident Bill Spacciapoli, JUMP teaches hiking and backpacking to youth, cultivating fitness, skills, commitment, and teamwork. Free but donations are appreciated. Register by contacting jumpcentral@jumpinc.org.