Sir Erik’s retirement party
The Harvard Alpaca Ranch, 58 Old Mill Road, will hold a retirement party for Sir Erik the alpaca Sunday, July 12, with tickets at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon. Celebrate Erik’s 18th birthday with farm tours, alpaca walks, and cake and ice cream. Tickets sales will benefit the farm’s alpaca-assisted therapy program. $5 per person. (HarvardAlpacaRanch.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
- Lego Club, grades K-6, Mondays, July 13, July 20, July 27, Aug. 3, and Aug. 10, 4 p.m.
- Paws and Read, grades K-5, Wednesdays, July 15 and Aug. 5. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- Mother Goose on the Loose story time, ages 0 to 2+, Thursdays, July 16, 23, 30, and Aug. 13, 10:30 a.m.
- Animal world experience, all ages. Thursday, July 16, 3 p.m.
- Family movie night, Thursdays, July 16 and July 30, 6:30 p.m. Rated PG.
- Tiny art show, all ages. Submissions open Monday, July 20. Exhibit Saturday, Aug. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Toe Jam Puppet Band, all ages, Thursday, July 23, 4 p.m.
- Acrobat Li Liu, all ages, Saturday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.
- AbraKidabra! Magic Show, all ages, Wednesday, July 29, 3 p.m.
- Bingo with Ooch, all ages, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 4 p.m.
- Baby and toddler disco party, ages 0 to 3+ and their grown-ups, Thursday, Aug. 6, 10:30 a.m. Dance and have fun with your child; includes flashing lights and noise.
- Sunprints, ages 8 and older, Thursday, Aug. 6, 3 to 4 p.m.
- Saturday toddler story time, ages 1 to 3. Saturday, Aug. 8, 10:30 a.m.
- Arthropod petting zoo with Professor Bugman, ages 3 to 11, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 3 p.m.
- Outdoor games spectacular and ribbon dancer craft, all ages. Thursday, Aug. 13, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Teen programs
- Dungeons and Dragons, grades 7-12, Wednesday, July 15, 2 to 4 p.m., and Thursday, Aug. 6, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Teen cake contest, grades 7-12, Tuesday, July 21, 1 to 3 p.m.
- UV resin jewelry and coasters, grades 7-12, Thursday July 30, 2 to 3 p.m.
Adult programs
- Music on the Lawn, for all ages. Tuesday, July 14, 6:30 p.m., The Jazz Depot. Upcoming: July 28, The Common End; Aug. 11, Solara.
- Tai Chi workshop, Saturdays beginning July 18, 10 to 10:30 a.m.
- Learn to knit, grades 9 to adult, Monday, July 20, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grown-ups, Thursday, July 23, 7 p.m.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Exhibit: “Dialogues in Dual Languages,” on view to July 18.
- Art and poetry stroll, Saturday, July 18, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Evening of jazz: Koan Tribute to Frank Coolidge, Friday, July 10, 7:30 p.m.
- Bounce and Burn fitness, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.; and Saturdays, 8 to 8:45 a.m. and 9 to 9:45 a.m., to July 18.
- Art Without Limits for ages 5 and older, Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m. to noon, and Monday, July 27, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Beads and Bling for ages 5 and older, Monday, July 20, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Taiwan Mahjong for beginners, for young adults ages 13 to 17. Monday, July 20, to Friday, July 24, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Snapology programs, register for mornings, afternoons, or all day.
- Jedi Masters & Space Wars Robotics, Monday, July 13, to Friday, July 17, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- SuperStructures & Real World Robotics, Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Mining and Building Basics, and Animation Studio, Monday, July 27, to Friday, July 31, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Ninjas & AttackBots Robotics, Monday, Aug. 3, to Friday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Classes at Goose and Hen Farm
The Goose and Hen Farm, 85 Old Littleton Road, offers classes in raising and preparing nutritious, sustainable food. (TheGooseAndHen.com/classes).
- Edible wild plants, Friday, July 10, 4 to 5:30 p.m. $35 per person.
- Natural sodas and beverages, Saturday, July 18, 4 to 5:30 p.m. $35 per person.
- Introduction to home canning, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6 to 8 p.m. $40 per person.
Fruitlands residents weekends
Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, offers free admission on selected weekends to residents of nearby communities. Admission will be free for Devens residents Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12. Must show identification; does not include access to ticketed programs. (TheTrustees.org/Place/Fruitlands-Museum).
Sonic Union returns to Carlson Orchards
The Harvard-based rock band Sonic Union will perform Saturday, July 11, 4 to 7 p.m., at Carlson’s Cider Barn, 115 Oak Hill Road. Enjoy pizza and signature ciders while listening to a mix of classic and contemporary tunes.
Devens Farmers Market
The next Devens Farmers Market will be held Tuesday, July 14, 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 Fire Station. (DevensCommunity.com/meetings-and-events).
Yoga on Rogers Field
IridESSENCE Community Health Collaborative will lead outdoor yoga every Wednesday to Aug. 26, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., on Rogers Field, Devens. Bring a yoga mat, water, sunscreen, and bug spray. Parking is available at the Bob Eisengrein Community Center, 100 Sherman Ave. Free; registration is required. (IridessenceCommunityHealth.org/events/free-outdoor-yoga-series-on-rogers-field-in-devens).
Fruitlands summer concert series
Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, will host the Concord Band Thursday, July 16 (rescheduled from July 2), 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the next concert of its summer series. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, and picnic fare, and enjoy stunning sunset views. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Doors open at 6 p.m. Upcoming concerts include The Concord Band on July 23, The Love Dogs on July 30, and The Blackstone Valley Quartet on Aug. 6. (TheTrustees.org/FruitlandsConcerts).
Sacred fire
Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio will hold a community fire Friday, July 17, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the farm at 38 Eldridge Road. This is a monthly gathering facilitated by Christina Gravelle, a firekeeper trained through Sacred Fire. Bring a headlamp and arrive before offerings start at 6:30 p.m. Advance registration required. (OldFrogPondFarm.com/upcoming-events).
Driving tour of historic Devens
The Fort Devens Museum, 94 Jackson Road, Devens, will host a brief presentation Saturday, July 18, 1 p.m., by Girl Scout Keziah Salter. Salter will introduce her Gold Award project for the museum, a QR-coded driving tour of 10 historic Devens sites. (FortDevensMuseum.org/events).
Storytelling at Old Frog Pond
Fugitive Productions will host storytelling Sunday, July 19, 3 p.m., at Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio, 38 Eldridge Road. The afternoon will include four regional, award-winning storytellers as well as several local, hand-picked tellers. The theme for July is “another chance.” Tickets $20 at the door, $15 in advance. In case of rain, the event will move to an alternate location indoors. (OldFrogPondFarm.com/upcoming-events).
Greenhut open studios
The Greenhut Artist Residency, 35 Oak Hill Road, will hold open studios Friday, July 24, 4 to 7 p.m. Engage with artists and writers to learn about their practices and see their work. Free, all ages welcome. (GreenhutResidency.org/calendar/july-open-studios).
Save the date
- Aug. 14-16: Bolton Fair
- Sunday, Aug. 30: firefighters muster on the Common
- Saturday, Sept. 19: Lions Club Fall Festival.
Out of town
Shawna Shea Film Festival
The Shawna Foundation will hold its annual Shawna Shea Film Festival Thursday, July 16, to Saturday, July 18, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 35 Major Taylor Blvd., Worcester. The festival will highlight the world premiere of “MANIC” by Women in Film fellow Amelia Favata, and will include features, documentaries, and shorts from an international collection of independent filmmakers. (ShawnaFoundation.org/ssff-film-festival).
Artisan fair in Bolton
Bolton Spring Farm will hold its annual artisan fair Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 159 Main St., Bolton. Enjoy food and drink from local producers, listen to music, and stroll among more than 60 booths featuring artistic talent from across New England. (FarmFreshEvents.com/christmas-in-july-artisan-fair-marketFarmFreshEvents.com/christmas-in-july-artisan-fair-market).
Family-friendly Groton Hill outdoor concert
Charles Haynes and the Tabernacle will join with Afrobeats Dance Boston in an evening of movement and music Sunday, July 19, 5 p.m., outdoors on the lawn at Groton Hill Music Center, 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton. Led by the enigmatic drummer and producer Charles Haynes, the Tabernacle links modern Afro dance steps with African and Afro-inspired music through fun choreographed combos. The grounds will open at 3:30 p.m. for picnics. Free for children 12 and under. (GrotonHill.org/concerts/live-on-the-lawn-charles-haynes-and-the-tabernacle).