Festival of Cultures
The Harvard Public Schools and the BIPOC Family Advisory Group will hold the Harvard Festival of Cultures Tuesday, March 24, 5:30 to 7 p.m., in the Hildreth Elementary School gym. Celebrate the many backgrounds, traditions, and stories that make up the town’s population. Attendees will be able to visit cultural exhibits, engage in conversations, and enjoy performances.
At the library
The Harvard Public Library is at 4 Pond Road. For the full calendar of events and to register for events, visit harvardpublic library.org/services/events.
Children’s programs
- Exhibit: “Celebrations Around the World” features the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. On view through March in the children’s room.
- Lego Expo, all ages, Saturday, March 21, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesday, March 25. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- Capsters art, ages 7 and older, Thursday, March 26, 3:45 p.m. Make art from bottle caps.
- Saturday toddler story time, ages 1 to 3. Saturday, March 28, 10:30 a.m.
- Baby and toddler disco party, ages 0 to 3+ and their grown-ups, Thursday, April 2, 10:30 a.m. Dance and have fun with your child; includes flashing lights and noise.
- GraviTrax challenge, ages 8 and older, Thursday, April 2, 3:45 p.m. Build a marble raceway.
Teen programs
- Teen cake contest, grades 6-12, Tuesday, March 31, 2:45 p.m.
Adult programs
- Crafts for adults: wildflower votives. Saturday, March 28, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
- Monday afternoon at the movies, Monday, March 30, 1 p.m. Rated PG.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Exhibit: “Orchard Women of Harvard,” on view through April 11.
- March for our Lives fundraiser reception Saturday, March 21, 5 to 8 p.m.
- Ensemble Eclectica in concert, Sunday, March 22, 3 to 5 p.m.
- Taiwan mahjong for adult beginners, Saturdays, March 28, and April 11, 18, and 25, 10 a.m. to noon.
- Music is meditation, Thursdays, April 2, 9, 16 and 30, 9 to 9:45 a.m.
Knights of Columbus fish fry
The Knights of Columbus will host a fish fry each Friday in March, 5 to 7 p.m., at Holy Trinity Parish Deacon Hall, 17 Still River Road. Dine-in or take it to go, and help support local charities. Email kofc13764@gmail.com for details or to preorder.
Sacred fire
Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio will hold a community fire Friday, March 20, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the farm at 38 Eldridge Road. This monthly community fire is facilitated by Christina Gravelle, a firekeeper trained through Sacred Fire. Bring a headlamp and anything else you need to feel comfortable, and arrive before offerings start at 6:30 p.m. Register in advance by email at havard fires@sacredfire.org.
‘Don’t Tell Mother’ at The Cannon Theatre
The Cannon Theatre, 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens, will present “Don’t Tell Mother” weekends, Friday, March 20, through Saturday, April 4. Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The show is a fast-paced farce centering on a librarian who’s witnessed a bank robbery just before a dinner with her fiance and his mother. For information and tickets visit thecannontheatre.org.
Health and wellness fair
The Harvard Lions Club will hold “Spring into Health,” a health and wellness fair, Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Hildreth Elementary School. Enjoy a fun, free, interactive day focused on health, safety, and community. Sign up in advance for CPR classes and a blood drive. Work out in a Zumba class, swap sports equipment, and find sight and hearing screenings, blood pressure checks, and diet and nutrition advice. For more information and class sign-ups visit harvardlions.com.
Fruitlands highlights Women’s History Month
Fruitlands Museum will host presentations on local women’s history Saturday, March 21, 2 to 3 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Cultural interpreters Amy Brown and Helen Batchelder will each give short talks spotlighting women connected with the site, including the Alcott family and the Shakers. Members $15, nonmembers $20. Register at thetrustees.org/event/443267.
‘Mamma Mia!’ plays at Bromfield
Skylight Youth Theater and the Bromfield Drama Society will present “Mamma Mia!” Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m., in the Cronin Auditorium. Tickets $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, at the door or in advance at tinyurl.com/MammaMiaHarvardMA.
Bingo night
The Harvard Schools PTO will host bingo night Thursday, March 26, 6 p.m., at the Bromfield School. For all ages and open to the entire community; enjoy 11 rounds of bingo, with prizes that include a handcrafted firepit, a Nintendo Switch 2, gift certificates, and more. Snacks and refreshments will be for sale. All proceeds benefit the Harvard Schools PTO. Cash only at the door; get advance tickets at secure.givelively.org/event/harvard-pto-inc/bingo-night-on-march-26th-at-bromfield.
Bromfield students speak at Warner Free Lecture
The Warner Free Lecture series will present an evening with Bromfield students Misha Kalava and Gwyneth Poutasse Thursday, March 26, 7 p.m., at the library’s Volunteers Hall, 4 Pond Road. Kalava will speak about how she adapted to a new school as a junior and grew through new experiences. Poutasse will discuss Kempo Karate and how more than five years of training has made her feel safer and more confident. Kalava and Poutasse were selected by a jury of Bromfield teachers. For more information visit warnerfreelecture.org and see story "In its 135th year, Warner Free Lecture to feature its first student speakers".
No Kings rally
Nashoba Indivisible and other pro-democracy organizations invite community members to stand together Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to noon, on the Common, in support of democracy and against authoritarianism. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, friends, and a spirit of unity in a gathering to affirm democratic values. Find more information and register at indivisible.org/events/no-kings-harvard-mass-2.
Bloom N Art
The annual Bloom N Art show will take place at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank St., Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, March 29, noon to 4 p.m. In partnership with the Garden Club of Harvard, the Harvard Public Schools art departments, and Fivesparks, Bloom N Art is an exhibit of flower arrangements inspired by student artwork. Free and open to the public.
Easter Egg hunt in the orchard
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, will host Easter Egg hunts Saturday, March 28, Sunday, March 29, and Saturday, April 4, with time slots at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. each day. Kids will search the orchard for colorful eggs and other surprises in this fun-filled spring tradition. Register in advance by contacting Katie at 603-554-7044.
Build a screech owl nesting box
The Harvard Conservation Trust will host a nesting box workshop Sunday, March 29, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Harvard Congregational Church, 5 Still River Road. Build a nesting box for screech owls and their young and learn how to install it. $15 donation requested; bring cash or check, or pay online at harvardconservationtrust.org/donate/?level=13. No woodworking experience needed.
Garden Club member projects
The Garden Club of Harvard will host a conversation about members’ plans for spring projects Monday, March 30, 9:30 a.m., at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road. Panelists will discuss projects such as organic gardening or expanding a shade garden and will answer questions. Find more information at harvardgardenclub.org/calendar.
Save the date
- Friday, April 10: Spaghetti Supper at Congregational Church
- Sunday, April 12: Jayden Liu Memorial Scholarship fundraiser
- Thursday, April 23, to Sunday, April 26: Townwide cleanup
- Sunday, May 3: Loaves & Fishes 5K walk
- Friday, May 29: PTO Spring Soiree.
Out of town
Barn dance
The Contra Banditos will play a barn dance Saturday, March 21, 7 to 9:30 p.m., at the Shirley Center Town Hall, Seth Chandler Road, Shirley. For all ages; no partner is necessary. Casual dress and shoes that move easily on the floor are recommended; no high heels. Tickets $10-$15 at the door, maximum $25 per family.
Let there be music
Enjoy an afternoon of songs and piano music by composer Steve Peisch Sunday, March 22, 3 p.m., at the West Concord Union Church, 1317 Main St., West Concord. The performance will feature the Westford Chorus with Maria Ferrante and Charlotte Russell, sopranos, Suzanne Buell, alto, and Shawn McCann and Monica Tessitore on piano. For more information visit hundredsrecords.com.
‘Goddard: Father of the Space Age’
The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of modern rocketry Sunday, March 22, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Explore the legacy of Worcester’s Dr. Robert Goddard, and the impact of his work on science, engineering, and space exploration. Free but tickets are required. Visit thehanovertheatre.org/events for tickets and more information.