Fundraiser Race: 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 one-mile uphill fundraiser begins at 11 a.m., at the bottom of Oak Hill with the finish line at Carlson Orchards.
Run, walk, jog, or cheer from anywhere along the route.
After the race, kids and adults 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.
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 Golden Week in Japan. On view through May in the children’s room.
- Teen advisory board, grades 7-12, Tuesday, May 5, 3 p.m. Help shape collections and programs for teens.
- Teen readers club, grades 7-12, Thursday, May 14, 3 p.m.
- Flying High Dogs, all ages, Thursday, May 14, 3:45 p.m.
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.
- After-school program: Slime Time with Miss Lisa. Wednesdays to June 3, 3:45 to 5 p.m. Held at HES.
- Music is meditation, Fridays, May 1, 8, 22, and 29, 9 to 10 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.
- Lecture: “Birds, Bats & Bugs: The Underlying Unity of Flight,” Friday, May 8, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- After-school program: Paint and Popcorn, Tuesday, May 12, 3:40 to 5 p.m. Held at Hildreth Elementary School.
- Felt a Seal, Wednesday, May 13, 6:15 to 8 p.m.
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 walks
The Boxborough Birders will lead a series of guided bird walks through local conservation lands. Part of the Fivesparks “Birds!” exhibit, the walks are free and open to all. For information and registration visit fivesparks.org/birds.
- Saturday, May 2, 8 to 10 a.m., Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, Still River Depot Road
- Saturday, May 9, 8 to 10 a.m., Horse Meadows Knoll, 45 Sherry Road
- Saturday, May 16, 7 to 10 a.m., Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road
- Saturday, May 23, 8 to 10 a.m., Hermann Orchard Conservation Lands, 51 Mill Road.
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.
Classes at Goose and Hen Farm
The Goose and Hen farm, 85 Old Littleton Road, offers classes in raising and preparing nutritious and sustainable food. For more information visit thegooseandhen.com/classes or email kerry.thegooseandhen@gmail.com.
- Edible wild plants, Sunday, May 3, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Join Kerry Evans on a leisurely walk to learn about finding, cooking, and eating edible wild plants growing locally. $35 per person.
- Sourdough bread baking, Saturday, May 9, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Participants will leave with an in-progress loaf plus additional sourdough starter. $35 per person.
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. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge will speak.
Bromfield spring concerts
The Bromfield School will hold its spring instrumental concert Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Cronin Auditorium at 14 Mass. Ave. The spring choral concert will be held the following week, Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
HES spring musical
Superstar Productions presents the musical “Alice in Wonderland” at the Hildreth Elementary School Friday, May 8, 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 9, noon and 4 p.m., at 27 Mass. Ave. Tickets are $8 at the door.
Library book sale
The Friends of the Harvard Public Library will hold their annual book sale Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the library. Members of the Friends are invited to a preview Friday, May 8, 3 to 7 p.m.; new members may join at the door. On sale will be hardcover and paperback books; audiobooks; CDs, LPs, and DVDs; and jigsaw puzzles. Proceeds allow the library to fund programs for children and teens, musical and theatrical performances, and free and discounted museum passes, among many other services.
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.
Felting with alpacas
The Harvard Alpaca Ranch will hold a needle felting session Saturday, May 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at 58 Old Mill Road. Felt mushrooms from natural fibers with instructor Rachel Benson. Recommended for ages 8 and older; $37 per person, includes all materials and light refreshments. Visit harvardalpacaranch.com for tickets.
Apple blossom festival
Carlson Orchards will host an apple blossom festival Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, at the orchard at 115 Oak Hill Road. The festival will include artisans for Mother’s Day gift shopping, food trucks, wagon rides through the orchard, and more. For information visit carlsonorchards.com.
District-wide art show
Art departments at the Hildreth Elementary School and the Bromfield School will host public receptions Wednesday, May 13, 5 to 7 p.m., at each school. Visit both schools and see the range of works produced by students at all levels.
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
Nashoba Symphonic Band
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.
Wachusett Dam open
The Department of Conservation and Recreation will open the top of the Wachusett Dam to the public Saturday, May 9, 2 to 5 p.m., at 265-283 Boylston St., Clinton. No dogs or large backpacks allowed. Parking is available along Route 70 and at the Clinton middle and high schools (a 1-mile walk.) For more information call the ranger station at 978-365-3800.
Gilbert & Sullivan festival
The New England Gilbert & Sullivan Society has opened registration for its 50th anniversary sing-out, to be held Friday, Sept. 4, to Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St., Concord. Enjoy a weekend of singing through all 13 operettas. Participants can request roles to sing or operettas to conduct or accompany. Chorus singers and non-singing family and friends are also welcome. Visit negass.org/50th-anniversary.html for details and registration deadlines.