Townwide cleanup this weekend
The 2026 roadside cleanup and garlic mustard pull will take place through Sunday, April 26. Volunteers are still needed. This is the 10th annual cleanup in which residents pick up litter and pull up invasive garlic mustard, which crowds out beneficial native plants and is detrimental to native trees. It often grows along roadsides and spreads easily into nearby woodlands. Unlike many other weeds, it must be disposed of as garbage.
To participate, first sign up for a road segment at SignUpGenius, bit ly/2026Cleanup-GM. Then, pick up supplies Saturday, April 25, 9 to 11 a.m., at Westward Orchards, 178 Mass. Ave. After collecting trash and garlic mustard, leave trash bags by the roadside. The DPW will begin pickup Monday, April 27. Finally, log back in to report how many bags you collected, where you saw garlic mustard, and whether you pulled it.
For questions about the cleanup, email Harvard.Cleanup@gmail.com; for questions about garlic mustard, email garlicmustard.harvard@gmail.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.
- Exhibit: “Celebrations Around the World” features the holy celebration of Orthodox Easter. On view through April in the children’s room.
- Saturday toddler story time, ages 1 to 3, Saturday, April 25, 10:30 a.m.
- Teen advisory board, grades 7-12, Tuesday, May 5, 3 p.m. Help shape collections and programs for teens.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Exhibit: “Birds!,” on display through May 30.
- Book club with the Boxborough Birders, Tuesday, April 28, 6 to 8 p.m.
- After-school program: Slime Time with Miss Lisa. Wednesdays, April 29 to June 3, 3:45 to 5 p.m. Held at HES.
- Music is Meditation, Friday, May 1, 9 to 9:45 a.m.
- The drawing room, Fridays, May 1, 8, 22, and 29, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Children’s book illustrator reading and activity, “Feathers Not Just for Flying,” Saturday, May 2, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Needle-felted cardinals with Lyn Slade, Sunday, May 3, 2 to 5 p.m.
- Artist talk with Barry Van Dusen: “Out the Studio Window,” Thursday, May 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Tai chi on the library lawn
The library will sponsor a free tai chi lesson Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m., outdoors on the lawn at 4 Pond Road. Narcyz Latecki, a master of Yang and Chen style tai chi, will run a class for all ages and abilities in recognition of World Tai Chi Day. Register at harvardpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/16638943.
‘Eye of the Beholder’ at Fruitlands Museum
Curator Tess Lukey will preview the upcoming Fruitlands Museum exhibit “Eye of the Beholder” Saturday, April 25, 2 to 3 p.m., in the art gallery building at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Opening April 30, the exhibit highlights items from the collection of Clara Endicott Sears. $15 members, $20 nonmembers. Register at thetrustees.org/event/443670. For more information, see "Fruitlands Museum opens its season with ‘Eye of the Beholder’ exhibition."
Music at the General
Harvard’s own rock band Sonic Union will perform Saturday, April 25, 5 to 8 p.m., upstairs at the Harvard General Store, 1 Still River Road. Enjoy great food and drink while listening to tunes from the ’70s to the present.
Garden Club explores forest bathing
The Garden Club of Harvard will host a conversation about the healing power of forest bathing Monday, April 27, 9:30 a.m., at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road. Certified guide Nadine Mazzola will discuss how the practice can foster a deeper connection to the living world. Find more information at harvardgardenclub.org/calendar.
May Day rally
Harvard Resists invites community members to stand together Friday, May 1, 4 to 6 p.m., on the Common, in support of democracy and against authoritarianism. Attendees are encouraged to bring flags, signs, and voices. Food donations will be collected for local families in need.
Guided bird walk through Oxbow
The Boxborough Birders will lead a guided bird walk through the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, May 2, 8 to 10 a.m. Part of the Fivesparks “Birds!” exhibit, the walk is free and open to all. Meet at the refuge parking area at the end of Still River Depot Road. Find more information and sign up at fivesparks.org/event/birds-exhibit-event-guided-bird-walk-with-the-boxborough-birders-at-oxbow-national-wildlife-refuge.
Bromfield strings to play
The Bromfield String Ensemble will hold its spring recital Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, 9 Ayer Road. Free and open to all students, families, and community members.
Dine with the alpacas
Harvard Alpaca Ranch, 58 Old Mill Road, will hold a special wine dinner Saturday, May 2, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the ranch in the company of the alpacas. Aaronap Cellars of Westford will offer locally made wines for sale by the glass, accompanying a catered dinner with a Cambodian theme. Visit harvardalpacaranch.com for tickets and information.
Rock the night away
The Harvard Schools Trust will hold “Rock the Night Away 3” Saturday, May 2, 6 to 10:30 p.m., at The Billiards Cafe, 39 Main St. #201, Ayer. Enjoy a great night of socializing and music, with local bands The Barn Burners and Wednesday Night Project. Proceeds support the initiatives of the Harvard Schools Trust. Tickets and HST membership at harvardschoolstrust.org.
Loaves & Fishes 5K walk and fun run
Loaves & Fishes will hold their annual Walk to Feed Our Neighbors 5K walk and fun run Sunday, May 3, 1 p.m., at Rogers Field Devens. Join as an individual or a team, or sponsor a walker. All proceeds will benefit Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry and help support neighbors in need in Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. Register at lfwalk.org.
Longest Mile for Bravest Minds
The Harvard Fire-EMS Association will sponsor a fundraiser in support of first responders’ mental health Sunday, May 3, at Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road. Same-day registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Carlson’s. The race begins at 11 a.m. at the bottom of Oak Hill, with first finishers reaching the finish line at Carlson’s soon after.
Spectators are welcome anywhere along the route. After the race, kids and adults alike can explore emergency vehicles and meet the first responders who operate them, while enjoying a food truck, beverages, and live music.
Details and race registration are at runsignup.com/Race/MA/Harvard/The LongestMile.
Edible wild plants
The Goose and Hen farm will offer a class on finding, eating, and cooking with wild edibles Sunday, May 3, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at 85 Old Littleton Road. Join Kerry Evans on a leisurely walk to learn about some of the many edible wild plants growing locally. $35 per person. Visit thegooseandhen.com/classes for more details or to sign up.
HCC celebrates grant recipients
The Harvard Cultural Council will celebrate its 2026 grant recipients Sunday, May 3, 3 to 5 p.m., at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road. See the impact of these projects, learn about the grant process and how to apply, and find out how to make a difference by joining the council.
Celebration for Deacon Court Shields
Holy Trinity Parish and St. Benedict Abbey will honor Deacon Court Shields Saturday, May 9, at the abbey, 252 Still River Road, with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. and luncheon at 11:30 a.m. For details and reservations visit htpboltonharvard.org>>Events & News>>Deacon Court Luncheon. All are welcome.
Save these dates
- Saturday, May 16: Garden Club plant sale
- Friday, May 29: PTO Spring Soiree
- Sunday, June 7: Bare Hill Triathlon, Duathlon, and Aquabike
- Tuesday, June 23: Library ice cream social.
Out of town
Brunch with nature author
Grow Native Massachusetts will host a conversation with New York Times bestselling nature writer Leigh Ann Henion Sunday, April 26, 10 a.m., at the Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. Henion will discuss her book “Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Night,” a celebration of the night that encourages readers to step outside and embrace the dark. Brunch buffet from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., speaker at noon.
Tickets $75, visit grownativemass.org or tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com.
Nashoba Symphonic Band in Bolton
The Nashoba Symphonic Band will celebrate its 10th anniversary season with two performances at Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Road, Bolton. The chamber players will perform Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m.; the full band will play Sunday, May 3, at 3 p.m. Admission is free to both performances.
Habitat for Humanity spring breakfast
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts will host its annual spring breakfast Tuesday, May 5, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., at First Parish of Bolton, 673 Main St., Bolton. Celebrate with three homeowners who have paid off their mortgages, learn about builds in Acton and Littleton and the Critical Home Repair program, and celebrate long-term volunteers. Free but seats are limited. Visit ncmhabitat.org/events for tickets and information.