Carlson Orchards Peach Festival
Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, Harvard, will offer a variety of events at its annual Peach Festival, Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Cider Barn will be open each day, along with food trucks and ice cream offerings. Music by Power Surge, Far From Eden, and Becky and the Swingin’ Bards. Learn more about the weekend festival and the Cider Barn’s usual hours of operation and offerings at carlsonorchards.com.
Fivesparks programs
Register for all classes via the calendar at fivesparks.org.
- Sketching basics: 10 weeks, Tuesdays 9:30 a.m., starting Tuesday, Sept. 14.
- Dance, yoga, pilates fusion for adults: 10 weeks, Wednesdays 9:30 a.m., starting Wednesday, Sept. 15.
- School early release: Create a wizard chest. Two-part multimedia class on the two early-release days, Wednesdays, Sept. 15 and 29, 4 p.m. Ages 9-12.
- Felting open studio: Bring incomplete projects to finish with guidance from Rachel Benson. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m. Ages 10-adult.
- Introduction to still-life painting: 10 weeks, Thursdays 9:30 a.m., starting Thursday, Sept. 16.
- Felted candy corn Zoom class: Thursday, Sept. 30, 4 p.m. Ages 8-adult.
- Painting with wool, fall scene: Zoom class Thursday, Sept. 30, in-person class Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m. Ages 12-adult.
Explore the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Join Nashua River Watershed Association guides Saturday, August 28, 3 p.m., to explore the Oxbow Refuge’s river habitat, observing beaver activity and bird life on forest and riverside trails. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2 p.m. For ages kindergarten and older. Registration required and space is limited. Directions to the sites provided upon registration. Email registration@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
‘The Gruffalo’ storybook trail walk
The Harvard Conservation Trust is offering a self-guided storybook trail walk starting at the Burgess-Brown land trailhead at the end of Murray Lane, through Monday, Sept. 6. The trail offers an opportunity to experience a children’s story, “The Gruffalo,” while wandering along a half-mile path through the woods. To learn more about the walking loop at the Burgess-Brown land, go to harvard-trails.com/brown.html.
‘Nature: A Walking Play’ at Fruitlands
The Fruitlands trustees and TigerLion Arts present “Nature: An Outdoor Walking Play,” celebrating the dynamic connection between humanity and the natural world. This immersive and family-friendly telling of Emerson, Thoreau, and their mutual love of the natural world runs from Friday, August 27 through Monday, Sept. 6, at Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road. Visit thetrustees.org/program/nature-play to purchase tickets and see the full performance schedule.
Pandemic art exhibit at Fivesparks
Fivesparks will present the exhibit “Insight: Together, Apart,” featuring four local artists who invite the community to share their journeys through work created during the pandemic. Opening reception Sunday, Sept. 12. More details to come.
Healing Garden Walk and Ride benefit
Registration is open for the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Cancer Support Center’s 2021 Perennial Walk and Ride to Thrive, to be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2 and 3.
Saturday, riders can choose a 12-, 33-, or 66-mile ride through Nashoba Valley towns. On Sunday, walkers will have the option of a 1- or 5-mile walk on the back roads of Harvard. Proceeds will be used to continue free programs and services to cancer clients and their families. Register at healinggardensupport.org or call Maddie Phadke at 978-456-3532, ext. 105.
‘Emergence 2021’ at Old Frog Pond Farm
Old Frog Pond Farm’s 15th annual outdoor sculpture exhibit, “Emergence 2021,” is now open. Enjoy a self-guided tour and see the work of more than 40 New England artists along the farm’s tracks and trails at 38 Eldridge Road. The self-serve farmstand is open every day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., for freshly picked organic fruits and vegetables.
Exhibit hours are Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $10, seniors $8, children under 12 free. For more information: www.oldfrogpondfarm.com or fruit@oldfrogpondfarm.com.
Congregational Church food drive
The Congregational Church of Harvard is hosting a townwide food drive to benefit the Loaves & Fishes food pantry, whose stocks are significantly down. Donation dropoff is Saturday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5 Still River Road, Harvard.
Council on Aging events
- Tour of Clear Path for Veterans, Devens. Thursday, Aug. 26. Van leaves Hildreth House at 11 a.m.
- Trip to Groton farmers’ market, Friday, Aug. 27. Van leaves Hildreth House at 3:30 p.m.
- East Passage Express Cruise to Newport, R.I., Wednesday, Sept. 8, leaving Hildreth House at 9:30 a.m.
See the COA newsletter for more information, or call 978-456-4120.
Firefighters muster
The Harvard Firefighters Association will host the Wachusett regional muster in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Harvard Fire Department. Eight towns will compete in skilled events using antique fire trucks, Saturday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. at the base of the Common and in front of the General Store. All are welcome to attend.
Out-of-town events
At the Museum of Russian Icons
The museum is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission through the end of August. Masks required. More details at museumofrussianicons.org.
- Saturday, Aug. 21, noon and 2 p.m.: Drop-in discussion: “Surprising Saints.” An exploration of some of the more unusual and mysterious saints in the museum’s collection. Free, no registration required.
- Friday, Aug. 27, noon and 2 p.m.: Drop-in discussion: “Monastic Moments.” Discussion of three icons in the museum’s collection that explore the history and meaning behind monasticism. Free, no registration required.
Flower Festival in Grafton
Community Harvest Project will present “Carolyn’s Garden Summer Flower Festival,” Saturday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at its Grafton farm, 37 Wheeler Road.The festival will include pick-your-own flowers, live music by Dave Johnson, artisan vendors, kids crafts, flower-arranging workshops, farm tours, and more. Admission $10, kids under 10 free. Admission includes five stems you can pick yourself; additional stems are $1. More information at community-harvest.org/events.
At the Fitchburg Art Museum
Opening Sunday, Sept. 5: “Abelardo Morell: Projecting Italy.” Camera obscura photographs of sites in Italy.
More information can be found at https://fitchburgartmuseum.org.
Old Sturbridge Village summer theater
Old Sturbridge Village will host a live performance of “Fairy Tale Farm” Thursday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug.22, in which well-known characters such as Goldilocks and Pinocchio face modern-day issues. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youths. For more information and to buy tickets, go to osv.org.
Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce events
- Tuesday, Sept. 21, “Welcome to the Chamber” golf tournament at Red Tail Golf Club, Devens. 10:30 a.m, registration; noon, shotgun start. Register at nvcoc.com or email meagan@nvcoc.com.
- Wednesday, Sept. 29, 5 p.m., Rollstone Bank “Business After Hours.” 788 Boston Road, Groton. Members, $15, others $30. For more information, go to nvcoc.com.
Save the date
- At Fivesparks: STORYfest is scheduled for the first weekend in October.
- At Fitchburg Art Museum: Two exhibits, “Joyride: Cars in American Art,” and “Uncovering the Human Condition,” will open on Saturday, Sept. 25.
