Fourth of July events
Join the festivities Saturday, July 4, for the annual Fourth of July celebration. Watch the parade through the town center, and participate in field events in front of the library. The Lions Club will offer food for sale, and an ice cream truck and face painting will be available. (Harvard4thOfJuly.org).
- 9 a.m.: display of antique cars at the library field
- 10 a.m.: bike decorating contest on the Common
- 11 a.m.: parade, beginning at Depot and Ayer roads
- Noon: flag-raising ceremony at the library field
- 12:15 to 2:30 p.m.: ongoing activities including greased pole, duck pond, tin can knockdown
- 12:15 to 2:30 p.m.: activities and races by age group including pie eating, candy scramble, sack race, three-legged race, parent-child relay, egg toss
- 3 p.m.: field cleanup
Fun run and 5-miler
The Great Harvard 4th of July Race will be run Saturday, July 4, starting at 8:15 a.m., at the Bromfield School, 14 Mass. Ave. The 1-mile fun run will start at 9:30 a.m., and on-site registration for both will open at 6:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in seven different divisions, and postrace refreshments will be available. (RunSignup.com/Race/MA/Harvard/TheGreatHarvard4thOfJulyRoadRace).
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
- Paws and read, grades K-5, Wednesdays, July 1 and July 15. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- Outdoor games spectacular and ribbon dancer craft, all ages. Thursday, July 2, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
- Lindsay and her puppet pals, ages 3-8, Tuesday, July 7, 3 p.m.
- Baby and toddler disco party, ages 0 to 3+ and their grown-ups, Thursday, July 9, 10:30 a.m. Dance and have fun with your child; includes flashing lights and noise.
Teen programs
- Teen metal crafting workshop, Monday, June 29, 3:30 p.m.
- Nex Playground game day, grades 7-12, Thursday, July 2, 2 to 3 p.m.
Adult programs
- Adult metal crafting workshop, Monday, June 29, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Music on the Lawn, for all ages. Tuesday, June 30, 6:30 p.m., The Rafters. Upcoming: July 14, The Jazz Depot; July 28, The Common End; Aug. 11, Solara.
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.
- Beads and bling for grades K-5, Friday, June 26, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Music masterclass, Friday, June 26, 2 to 3:30 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. No class July 4.
- Snapology: Pokémania & Everyday Engineers for ages 5 to 12, Monday, July 6, to Friday, July 10, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Register for mornings, afternoons, or all day.
- Roll for Quest: A Dungeons and Dragons adventure for ages 10 to 14. Monday, July 6, to Friday, July 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Chamber music celebration concert
The Fivesparks Music Festival invites the public to its celebration concert Saturday, June 27, 7 p.m., at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, 9 Ayer Road. Meet the young musicians and their coaches who are participants in this year’s festival, and hear the chamber pieces they have rehearsed during the week. Suggested donation $20 at the door. (fivesparks.org/event/chamber-music-celebration-concert).
Yoga with alpacas
The Harvard Alpaca Ranch will hold a yoga session Sunday, June 28, 8:30 to 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. $30 per person, bring a yoga mat or beach towel and a water bottle. (HarvardAlpacaRanch.com).
Devens Farmers Market
The next Devens Farmers Market will be held Tuesday, June 30, 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 open its summer concert series with the Concord Band Thursday, July 2, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 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: July 9, The Concord Band. (TheTrustees.org/FruitlandsConcerts).
Save the date
Out of town
Ham radio field day
The American Radio Relay League will hold its annual field day Saturday, June 27, 2 p.m. through Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m. with local operators gathering at 282 E. Riding Drive, Carlisle. See ham radio operators reaching across North America and around the world, learn about communication techniques and technology, and try to get on the air and make a contact of your own. (arrl.org/field-day).
French Canadian Festival
The second annual Leominster French Canadian Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 3 to 8 p.m., at the Leominster Eagles club, 456 Litchfield St., Leominster. Singer Josée Vachon and fiddler Patrick Ross will highlight an afternoon of delicious food options, live music, cultural resources, crafters, and more, all with a French Canadian flair. (facebook.com/search/top?q=leominster-french-canadian-festival or boltonje364@gmail.com).
Area fireworks
The following neighboring communities have announced fireworks displays:
- Pepperell: Saturday, June 27 at dusk on the back field behind Varnum Brook Elementary School, 10 Hollis St.
- Ayer: Wednesday, July 1, 9:30 p.m., at Pirone Park
- Fitchburg: Friday, July 3, 9:30 p.m., at Boulder Drive and Riverfront Park
- Groton: Monday, July 8, at dusk at Lawrence Academy baseball field, Main St. (Route 119).