October 22, 23, 2016

“What’s Happening” 

October 22, 23, 2016

22, Saturday – Westminster Cracker Festival 10:00-5:00, Westminster center (Rt. 2A). The town celebrates its heritage with a full day of fun, including a 5K run or walk live music, kick boxing demo, hula hooping, raffles, chili/chowder contest, beer garden, wine tasting and more! Visit crackerfestival.com.

22, 23, Saturday and Sunday – Pumpkin Festival at Lanni Orchards 8:00-6:00, 294 Chase Rd., Lunenburg. Take a hayride around the orchard, pick a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, enjoy warm apple crisp, cider donuts, make-your-own caramel apples, and more. Visit lanniorchards.com.

22, Saturday – Parish Fair at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 9:00-4:00, 1 Forest St., Baldwinville. Raffles, theme baskets, handcrafts, baked goods and more.

22, Saturday – Tree Identification Using Bark and Habitat Clues – 10:00-1:00, Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center 99 Millers Falls Road Northfield. Join naturalist Nancy Goodman and take a close look at trees and other botanical wonders we encounter at Northfield Mountain. Have you ever looked at a tree in winter and wondered what it might be? Become familiar with the characteristic bark of different trees in different habitats and at different stages of growth, as well as identification from leaves and other clues. For ages 16 and older. Free. Call 800-859-2960.

22, Saturday – Seeds of Solidarity Tour, 10:00-11:00, Seeds of Solidarity Education Center, Inc., 165 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange. Experience our farm, home and education center that integrates abundant no-till and low maintenance gardens, solar greenhouses, energy efficient buildings, solar electric & hot water systems with founders Ricky and Deb. Visit seedsofsolidarity.org.

22, Halloween Parade, Downtown Leominster 1:00-3:00, Don your favorite costume as we parade through downtown, and trick or treat at local businesses. Come show off your costume and see all the creative costumes everyone will be wearing. It is a traditionally safe way to celebrate the day. Line-up will begin at 12:30 pm at Leominster Credit Union, 20 Adams Street for a 1 pm start time.

22, Saturday, Hubbardston Haunted Hayrides, 4:00-6:00, Mt. Jefferson Conservation Area (Mt. Jefferson Road). Children’s hayrides at 4 pm. Adult ride start at 5 pm; last ride leaves at 9 pm. Includes a 5K run, Kat-a-Pult contest, food. Rain date October 23. Visit the Lions on face book for details.

22, Saturday –, Akwaaba West African Drumming Ensemble performs at the Leominster Library, 7:00-9:00 p.m. 30 West St., Leominster.

22, Saturday - The Australian Bee Gees Show: A Tribute to the Bee Gees, 8:00 p.m. The Australian Bee Gees Show: A Tribute to the Bee Gees continues to celebrate five decades of memorable music written by the Brothers Gibb. Capturing the look, sound and personality of one of the most successful groups in music history, they are considered to be "the best Bee Gees tribute in the world," according to Teri Bridge, president of the official Bee Gees Fan Club. The Australian Bee Gees Show: A Tribute to the Bee Gees is a multi-media concert event with a contemporary perspective featuring state-of-the-art sound, superb lighting, giant screens streaming video clips and stunning graphics. Tickets are $32 and $42 depending on seating location. Discounts are available for members and groups of 10+.  The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 508-471-1791

October 14, 15, 16, 2016

 

“What’s Happening”

October 14, 15, 16, 2016

14, 15, Saturday and Sunday - Peak into Peterborough - Already a great destination with unique shops, flavorful restaurants, and eclectic galleries, Peterborough pulls out all the stops for this special day, with tent sales, hayrides, live music, and much more! It’s a fall foliage tour, day-on-the-town, and early Christmas shopping opportunity all at once. Friday, noon-7 p.m., Sunday, 10-8:30 – Downtown Peterborough,  www.peterboroughchamber.com

14, 15, 16, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Theatre at the Mount presents, Nunsense - When the “Little Hobos” discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidently poisoned 52 of the sisters, they parade their talents in a variety show staged to raise funds so that the last four of the dearly departed can be buried. 444 Green St., Gardner. $22 adult, $5 students.  978-630-9388 or visit mwcc.edu/tam.

15, Saturday – Fundraising Auction for the Ashburnham Meeting House and Museum, Please help us with our ongoing projects-We need new clapboards and paint!! Preview 5:00 p.m; Live Auction, 6:00 p.m. 79 Main St. Ashburnham – For donations please call 978-827-5804.

15, Saturday – Monadnock Pumpkin Festival (formerly Keene Pumpkin Festival) at Cheshire Fairgrounds, Rt. 12, Keene NH – 12:00-8:00

The Monadnock Pumpkin Festival will be a family friendly event to include activities such as:

-Huge pumpkin displays of carved pumpkins to be lit and enjoyed by all

-Children’s Costume Parade-calling all kids! Show your stuff in the children’s costume parade.

-Pumpkin Welcome Centers-login your carved pumpkin, pick up a map and program. Don’t forget your candle!  Welcome Center open Friday after 12:00pm and all day Saturday

-Baking Contest - Download the Registration Form here

-Children’s Activity Tent-a huge tent filled with activities for the kids, or the kid at heart. Crafts, games, lawn games, free books from the Keene Public Library and more!

-Fright Fest!!  Over 800 feet of frightening terror! Enter if you dare! Get the info!

Pumpkin Catapult download registration form here!

Craft Fair-artisans from near and far show off their wares. Grab a souvenir or two!

-Fireworks by Atlas Fireworks while sitting by a huge community bonfire!

Pumpkin Carving Contest do you have the guts to enter? Your chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Syd’s Carpet and Snooze room!

-Amusement rides!

-Food vendors- mmm yummy

-Family Photo opportunities-classic head in a hole

-LARP’ing demos-join a quest of your own!

-Pony rides

-Sand art and face painting

-And more!

www.monadnockpumpkinfestival.org

15, 16, Saturday and Sunday - AppleFest at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 10:00-5:00,  499 Mountain Rd., Princeton. Over 75 craft fair and farmers’ market booths, family entertainment, scenic foliage Skyrides to the summit, mountainside barbecue, pony rides, climbing wall, jugglers & magicians for the kids.  Also features an Oktoberfest Celebration with authentic German cuisine, tasty beers in the Beer Garden and live music. Great New England Apple Pie Contest, giant pumpkin weigh-off, Cider House 5K.  Blueberry pie eating contests all weekend. www.wachusett.com

15, 16 Saturday and Sunday, The 27th Annual Harvest Festival in Sturbridge is a family fun tradition! The event includes: Local Crafters & Artisans, Specialty Foods & Farm Fresh Harvests, Horse Drawn Trolley Rides, Live Music & Entertainment, Activities & Games for Kids, The Publick House Scarecrow Contest. On Saturday, savor seasonal sensations from the region's non-profit organizations in the big tent and learn more about the vital services they provide for us and our neighbors. On Sunday, The Chefs of the Community take over the big tent offering their specialties and more delectable tastes of the fall season. Live Music, Magic and more! Free admission & parking. Sponsored by Sturbridge Tourist Association. Festival hours are 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sunday. Rain or Shine.

15, Saturday – Full Moon Canoeing at Nashoba Paddler, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. - Set out by canoe at dusk and as darkness approaches, watch the moon rise, being on the lookout for owls, beaver, bats, and other night life. After some delicious refreshments, we'll return following the moon's ribbon of light. Our tours are kept small so we maximize our enjoyment and minimize our impact on the environment. Prices include the use of our boats, paddles, and personal flotation devices. (You may use your own equipment if you prefer.) Our guides are naturalists as well as American Canoe Association certified instructors who are there to share their knowledge of the river and help you with your paddling, if needed. Trip difficulty: Easy, flat-water, 5 miles roundtrip. Cost: $40pp-canoes only. Refreshments included. www.nashobapaddler.com

15, Saturday – Heirloom Apple Pie Workshop at Scott Farm -10:00-1:00 -  Tackle “pie dough anxiety” with the Queen of Tarts, Pastry Chef Laurel Roberts Johnson from Chester, CT. Make flaky pie dough and bake an apple pie with Scott Farm Orchard heirlooms. Take home your pie, dough, and a tote of heirloom baking apples. $50. Pre-register at 802-254-6868 or events@scottfarmvermont.com. 707 Kipling Rd., Dummerston VT, www.scottfarmvermont.com

Columbus Day Weekend, 2016

“What’s Happening”

October 6, 7, 8, 9

6-10, Thurs-Mon. 26^th Annual Ski and Snowboard sale and swap at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area - Our annual equipment extravaganza! Bring in your used equipment to sell for cash or Wachusett Credit, then buy new equipment with the cash or credit you just earned! This is the perfect chance to upgrade your gear for the coming winter. No equipment to sell? That's OK too, we bring in local retailers equipment and gear as well so there are great deals for everyone whether you're looking for new or used items! Want a little more than just a shopping trip? Join us for a Scenic Summit SkyRide and grab lunch at our Mountainside BBQ! www.wachusett.com

7,8, Friday, Saturday, Theatre at the mount presents, Nunsense - When the “Little Hobos” discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidently poisoned 52 of the sisters, they parade their talents in a variety show staged to raise funds so that the last four of the dearly departed can be buried. 444 Green St., Gardner. $22 adult, $5 students.

978-630-9388 or visit mwcc.edu/tam. Repeats on Oct. 14-16.

7, 8, 9, - Stratton Players present, Don’t Drink the Water by Woody Allen, A cascade of comedy and a solid hit on Broadway, this affair takes place inside an American embassy behind the Iron Curtain. An American tourist, a caterer by trade, and his wife and daughter rush into the embassy two steps ahead of the police who suspect them of spying and picture taking. It's not much of a refuge, for the ambassador is absent and his son, now in charge, has been expelled from a dozen countries and the continent of Africa. Nevertheless, they carefully and frantically plot their escape, and the ambassador's son and the caterer's daughter even have time to fall in love. $13/$15, Performances held at the Applewild School, 98 Prospect St., Fitchburg MA, Showtimes: Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m., Sunday, 2:00 p.m. strattonplayers.com

Fall Fest at Tower Hill Botanic Gardens - There's nothing like autumn in New England, and there's no better place than Tower Hill Botanic Garden to take in all the season has to offer. In addition to the panoramic view of Mt. Wachusett and the Reservoir, the Garden displays hundreds of trees and shrubs known for their spectacular fall color. The special weekends in autumn feature heirloom apples, locally made products, and much more. Twisted Pine, Saturday, October 8 Armed with fresh writing, high-octane virtuosity, and endless energy, Twisted Pine challenges its bluegrass roots by effortlessly intertwining innovation with tradition. Eastern Mountain String Band, Sunday, October 9 - The Eastern Mountain String Band is a quartet of bluegrass pickers, who draw on jazz, folk, and rock music to create a distinctive and fresh bluegrass sound. The Great Molasses Flood, Monday, October 10 Folk/Rock with beautiful three-part harmonies. Original songs as well as unique covers that resonate with listeners. www.towerhillbg.org

8, Saturday, ArtSmith Festival,10:00-5:00, Vendors/exhibitors, music, and the annual blacksmith festival outdoors in historic Fitchburg’s beautiful Riverfront Park overlooking the Nashua River. In its 13th year, this year’s event will be larger than ever! Our goal is to promote high quality arts from the greater Fitchburg region and beyond, to benefit both arts professionals, and for the cultural benefit of our city and its communities. Riverside Park, Boulder Dr., Fitchburg MA

8, Saturday – Pumpkin Weigh-in and Country Church Fair at Red Apple Farm, 10:00-3:00, A great old-fashioned country festival, sponsored by the Congregational Church of Phillipston. The oldest pumpkin fair in Massachusetts, come to the weigh-in as local farmers bring their hefty beauties by truck and tractor for this friendly competition. Carve a jack-o’lantern, build a scarecrow, shop for crafts and homemade baked goods, take a chance in the quilt raffle. Food available. 455 Highland Ave., Phillipston, redapplefarm.com

8, Saturday – Fred Marple’s Guide to New England at Peterborough Players, 7:30 p.m. Welcome to Frost Heaves! Yankee comedy, music and assorted nonsense from the most under-appreciated town in New Hampshire. 55 Hadley Road, Peterborough, NH $15.00 -www.frostheaves.com

8, 9, 10 - 8, Saturday – Columbus Day Apple Festival at Lanni Orchards, 294 Chase Rd., Lunenburg. Pick Your Own apples by the pound, not by the bag; hayrides; caramel apples, apple crisp, live entertainment, playland, Island Adventure Maze, bouncy house and more. Visit lanniorchards.com.

8, 9, 10 – Friday, Saturday, Sunday – Annual Harvest Festival Weekend at Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant St., Leominster. Enjoy free live entertainment, free wagon rides, food trucks, free, interactive children’s events and so much more at this fun family festival. Visit sholanfarms.com.

8, 9, 10 – Monadnock Art presents, Open Studio Art Tour - Monadnock Art presents the Art Tour each October during the peak of the colorful foliage season in southwestern New Hampshire. The Tour is self-directed, and it's free for the interested public. Art lovers from all over New England, and beyond, enjoy touring the beautiful countryside, following the distinctive Art Tour signs, and discovering the often tucked-away places where artists work. Studios are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The Tour travels through the towns surrounding the beloved Mount Monadnock: Chesham, Dublin, Hancock, Harrisville, Jaffrey, Marlborough, Peterborough, and Sharon. A remarkable range and diversity of the visual arts is represented through the work of the artists. Visitors tour the workplaces of painters and printmakers, potters and jewelers, sculptors, fiber artists, photographers, woodworkers, glass shapers, and more. Many artists offer work for sale, often specially priced for the Tour. For a look at a sampling of their work, please visit the Artists pages of this site. www.monadnockart.org

9, Sunday – Historical Piano Concert at Ashburnham Community Church, 84 Main Street (Rt. 12) Ashburnham. Pianist Vitlaus von Horn on the Bösendorfer piano, c.1830, Vienna: Two Sonatas by Schubert: A-minor, Op. 42, D. 845, and B-Flat Major, Op. Posth., D.960. $10.00, children and students, free. No advance reservations. Visit FrederickCollection.org.

9, Harvest Parade and Festival, Orange MA, The parade begins at Pete’s Tire Barn on East Main Street at 1 pm sharp and will head down to the Orange Municipal Airport (route is 2.5 miles long). The festival at the airport features a craft fair, and the North Quabbin Cruisers Car show. Contact Ken Reynolds, parade coordinator, at 978-544-3042.

September 30, October 1, 2, 2016

“What’s Happening”

September 30, October 1, 2

30, 1, 2, - Stratton Players present, Don’t Drink the Water by Woody Allen, A cascade of comedy and a solid hit on Broadway, this affair takes place inside an American embassy behind the Iron Curtain. An American tourist, a caterer by trade, and his wife and daughter rush into the embassy two steps ahead of the police who suspect them of spying and picture taking. It's not much of a refuge, for the ambassador is absent and his son, now in charge, has been expelled from a dozen countries and the continent of Africa. Nevertheless, they carefully and frantically plot their escape, and the ambassador's son and the caterer's daughter even have time to fall in love. $13/$15, Performances held at the Applewild School, 98 Prospect St., Fitchburg MA, Showtimes: Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m., Sunday, 2:00 p.m. Repeats October 7,8, and 9 - visit strattonplayers.com

30, Friday, Monadnock Center for History and Culture presents, Music in Bass Hall: Hiroya Tsukamoto – 7:30 p.m., Hiroya Tsukamoto is a one of a kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan. He began playing the five-string banjo when he was thirteen, and took up the guitar shortly after. In 1994, Hiroya entered The Osaka University and while at college in Japan, Hiroya was introduced to a musical and social movement in South America called Nueva Cancion headed by musical legends such as Victor Jara and Violeta Parra. Tickets $15/$18, 19 Grove St., Peterborough NH, monadnockcenter.org

1, 2 Saturday and Sunday – Taste of Local at Lanni Orchards – 10:00-6:00, It's that time again, our monthly Taste of Local! October is Apple Month so not only will you be able to taste all of our local Massachusetts products but also our different kinds of apples absolutely free! This is a great event to try, before you buy as well as enjoy amazing samples. Hope to see you there! 294 Chase Rd., Lunenburg MA lanniorchards.com

1, Saturday – Horseshed Fair at the First Church of Christ Unitarian, Lancaster, MA – 10:00-5:00, Horseshed Fair at the First Church of Christ Unitarian (the Bullfinch Church) on the common, Route 117, Lancaster. Now in its 38th year, the Horseshed Fair is a festive arts and crafts fair featuring hand-manufactured items by crafters from throughout New England, as well as foods, white elephant table, gifts and music. Visit firstchurchlancasterma.org.

1, Saturday – Our Lady Immaculate Parish Fair at the Athol-Orange Elks – 9:00-3:00, Food, raffles, crafts and more. 92 New Athol Rd., Orange MA

1, Saturday – Touchstone Farm’s FarmTastic Fall Fundraiser, 5:30-9:00 p.m.,

We are going to have a PARTY!  It will start at the Homestead, the newly renovated Colonial Farmhouse which began being built in 1754 and is about to get designation for the Nat. Register of Historic Places. We will have seasonal Cocktails, as well as MockTails for those who do not want to imbibe! Peter Robinson of Roy's Market is going to provide the appetizers and a full Chicken BBQ with all the fixings and a Fall Veggie Option...We will also have Connolly's Ice Cream with a fun dessert.

The actual dinner and festivities will take place in the center aisle of the 2nd floor of the barn. Wait until you see the twinkling lights and beautiful decorations being planned.  We will have live music, a live auction of a few very cool items, a Heads or Tail Silly Auction, and a Wine Pull of nice bottles of wine.  We will also have a couple of our actual students, veterans and/or family members with us to speak about what the farm means to them. Touchstone Farm, 13 pony Farm Lane, Temple NH $50.00/person, touchstone-farm.org/fundraisers/

1, Saturday – Harvest Fair in Orange, MA – 9:30-2:00, Homemade donuts, country store (with Cabot cheddar cheese, jams, jellies, pickles, vegetables), handcrafts, fall items, fudge, candy, fresh-made apple pies, other baked goods, balloon game, large tag sale, hot dogs, hand-cut fries, chili and beverages. Orange United Methodist Church, 104 South Main St., Orange MA

1, Saturday – Monadnock Fall Festival, 10:00-7:00, The Monadnock Fall Festival celebrates all the things that make our community special.  Join us for a day of art, music, food, dance, crafts and theatre from local towns and your neighborhood. There will be a car show and one-mile road race. In and around downtown Keene, NH

1, 2 Saturday and Sunday – Cheshire Craftsmen Fair – 9:00-3:00 - Juried arts & crafts fair featuring more than 30 regional vendors. Goods on display and for sale will include handmade quilts, jewelry, soaps & lotions, pottery, and seasonal décor. Also available are wooden toys, painted antiques. Primitives, scrapbooks, decorative metal work, hand painted silk scarves, dried florals and much more. Shoppers are encouraged to come prepared to get a good start on their holiday shopping needs. Visitors at the fair may also wish to enjoy breakfast or lunch, both served by a local charitable organization. Admission and ample parking are both free. Keene NH Recreation Center, 312 Washington St., Keene NH

1, 2, Saturday and Sunday, Wachusett Mountain presents, the 7th Annual Great New England BBQFest 10:00-5:00, This event is to help support the Greg Hill Foundation. Additional highlights of this year's event include the OYSTERFEST, now featuring Oysters on the half shell, clam chowder and shrimp, along with a daily Oyster Shucking Competition! The PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS will feature Chili on Saturday and Pulled Pork on Sunday! Then there's the ever-famous Farmers' Market and Craft Fair (including more than 75 vendors), and Beer Tent throughout the weekend. We will also have fun things for the kids, like face painting, clowns and moon bounces!

We've expanded our number of vendors! Visit our website for more information and pricing at wachusett.com

1, 2 Saturday and Sunday, Heifer International’s Global Harvest Festival 10:00-4:00 Heifer Farm's annual Global Harvest Festival is a fun -packed cultural celebration for the all ages! This festive weekend features international crafts and Games in the Global Village, live music, delicious food, hay rides to the pumpkin patch and, of course, all the farm animals. Live bands will play on the main stage throughout the festival and the Dale Perkins Horse Show will perform daily at 1pm. Bands include Boston-based Kat Kennedy, and local groups The Hip Swayers, Hard to Say, Lalla Rookh, and Fernside. 216 Wachusett St., Rutland MA 508-886-2221, heifer.org

1, 2 Saturday and Sunday, - Vermont Crafts Council’s Fall Open Studio Weekends, 10:00-5:00, Typically the first weekend in October, the Vermont Craft Council’s 2016 Fall Open Studio Weekends Oct. 1-2 and 8-9 will take place across the state, coinciding with the national American Craft Week. Locally, the event will include the work of 14 artists from 11 studios and one gallery in Brattleboro, West Brattleboro and Marlboro. Please note that half of the participating studios will be open only the first weekend; the rest will be open both weekends. For more details visit Brattleboro-west-arts.com

1, 2 Saturday and Sunday – Apple Days at Old Sturbridge Village, 9:30-5:00 Ripe and redolent apples are a favorite sign of fall in New England. Enjoy the crisp autumn days at Old Sturbridge Village with special events throughout our Apple Days celebration. Come tour the orchards, help us pick apples, and taste some nearly forgotten heirloom apple varieties. Throughout the day our interpreters will be cooking and preserving this special fall fruit. Then, try your hand at cider making, and see the ox-powered Cider Mill in operation. You can even make your own sachet of mulling spices to take home. General admission prices are $28 for Adults, $26 for Seniors (+55), $14 for Youths (3-14), and children 2 and under are FREE. Osv.org

2, Sunday – Historical Piano Concert, Ashburnham, 4:00-5:00 - Maksim Shtrykov, clarinet and Misuzu Tanaka (on piano to be chosen from the collection). Works by Jesús de Monasterio, Antonio Romero y Andía, Carlos Guastavino, Claude Debussy, Darius Milhaud, and Francis Poulenc. $10.00, children and students, free.  No advance reservations. Visit FrederickCollection.org or call Patricia Frederick, 978-827-6232.

2, Sunday – Guided Tours of the Shirley Shaker Village Site – 12: 5:00, The site is part of the state prison system and can only be accessed by special arrangement. Our tour begins with a brief illustrated lecture on the history of the Shakers and the Shirley Village. Visitors go inside three Shaker buildings and travel by prison van to various locations around the property. Reservations must be made in advance for a cost of $15.00 per person, or $10 for Historical Society members. shirleyhistory.org

September 23, 24, 25, 2016

Run for a Beer at the 11th Annual Oktoberfest sponsored by Gardner Ale House

“What’s Happening”

September 23, 24, 25

23, Friday - Moonshine Holler Concert & Family Picnic at the Lunenburg Library, 1023 Mass. Avenue, Lunenburg. Moonshine Holler plays Appalachian-style folk and country music. They will be performing on the library’s patio from 6:30-8:00 on Friday evening. Come with your family, your chairs, and a picnic meal and enjoy the music and the fun! No registration required. Call 978-582-4140.

24, 25 Saturday and Sunday - 26th Annual KidsFest at Wachusett Mountain -

KidsFest is two full days of music, food, and family fun! Live shows, walk-around entertainment, magic shows, clowns, our scenic summit SkyRide and much more! Enjoy great food and product sampling by vendors! This year will feature the XPogo Stunt Team, Rainforest Reptile Show, WXLO's Wachusett's Got Talent, Sterling Gym's Ninja Warrior Course and much more! 

On Sunday, September 25 is the Heart Warrior 5k & Kids Run, created to support the Boston Children's Hospital Heart Center. This fun race will feature a 5k run and Kids' Run starting at 9:00am and leading right into KidsFest. Registration details can be found at wachusett.com

24, Saturday – 11^th Annual Oktoberfest, sponsored by Gardner Ale House -

11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, German Beer Garden, Beer Maidens, Food, Beer, Live Music, Lawn Games for Adults, Kids Alley for Kids, 7th Annual Run For A Beer 5K & 10K, Ceremonial Tapping of the Keg & Debut of 11th Oktoberfest Lager, World’s Largest Chicken Dance, 8th Annual Gardner Chair Luge

10:45 AM 7th Annual Run For A Beer 5K & 10K

11:30 AM Ceremonial Tapping of the Keg & Debut of 11th Oktoberfest Lager

1:00 PM World’s Largest Chicken Dance

2:00 PM 8th Annual Gardner Chair Luge

50’s Theme, Registration at Noon

Live Music

3:30 PM Harry Borsh and The Squires of Soul

5:00 PM The Night Owls

6:30 PM The Grin Whistle

8:00 PM Sweet Green

Inside the Ale House

Exquisite German fare including sausage plates, Wiener Schnitzel and whatever the kitchen comes up with this year in the way of authentic German delicacies. This finer German cuisine can only be had inside the Ale House. www.gardnerale.com

24, Saturday – Fabulous Fall Festival, Downtown Gardner, This is a family-friendly, all day fabulous fall festival! Downtown will be transformed into a street festival, and streets are opened to pedestrians only between the hours of 9:00 a.m and 5:00 p.m. Downtown shops, joined by local crafters display and sell their wares out in the streets. There’s a Fabulous Food Court and Kids’ Zone featuring a variety of bouncy houses for toddlers and big kids. Take a chance to win great prizes donated by our shops, street vendors, and local businesses at our Chinese Auction. Come in costume to join our Costume Parade! If all of this is not enough fun, Gardner Ale House will hosting the 11 Annual Oktoberfest. gardnersquaretwo.com

24, Saturday - 23rd Annual Johnny Appleseed Arts & Cultural Festival. 9:00-5:00, Downtown Leominster - Come celebrate in the heart of downtown Leominster as we honor one of our most popular residents, Johnny Appleseed. Browse dozens of vendors, from craft dealers to commercial vendors and school based activity clubs. Enjoy delicious foods at the international food court and have fun on the pony rides, petting zoo, moonwalks, unending entertainment and so much more! 

24, Saturday - Pickle Festival in Winchester NH - 128 Main St., Winchester NH - An old-fashioned town fair. The Winchester’s annual Pickle Festival is fun for all. Downtown Winchester becomes the fairgrounds, with Main Street (Route 10) the parade route. Kids march along the parade, which features local pickle-themed floats, plenty of pickle costumes and marching bands. Along the route are craftsmen (many demonstrating), food booths, and a lively competition among local cooks for the best jar of pickles. There are free pickles for everyone. Live music goes on all day, with everything from blues and country-western to a barbershop quartet and violin ensemble.

24, Saturday – Schnitzelfest, Hillsborough New Hampshire, noon- 8:00 p.m., You don’t have to go to Munich. You don’t have to travel to Hamburg or Frankfurt or even Dusseldorf. Because the best German food, beer, and wine outside of Germany is right here, at Schnitzelfest! Ach du lieber. Come join us rain or shine – it is going to be wunderbar! Come enjoy real Bavarian favorites, authentically prepared, like schnitzel, potato salad, sauerkraut, fantastic breads and deeeee-lectable desserts, all served under the big tent. There’ll be a Harpoon® sponsored beer tent and wine bar, many craft vendors, lots of entertainment, including the Zauer Kraut Bavarian band and The Mad Bavarian Brass Band so you can really get your ‘oompah!’ on. Butler Park, 3 Central St., Hillsborough NH http://www.schnitzelfestnh.org

24, 25 Saturday and Sunday – Fall Festival at Tower Hill - There's nothing like autumn in New England, and there's no better place than Tower Hill Botanic Garden to take in all the season has to offer. In addition to the panoramic view of Mt. Wachusett and the Reservoir, the Garden displays hundreds of trees and shrubs known for their spectacular fall color. The special weekends in autumn feature heirloom apples, locally made products, and much more. Stefilia's Stone creates a dynamic display of original music with a splash of indie, adult contemporary and folk-pop. Lester Rawson Band, Sunday, September 25 The Lester Rawson Band plays an altogether pleasing mix of blues, R&B, classic rock and country--not note-for-note covers, but unique treatments of sturdy standards and a few great tunes that are sure to surprise and satisfy. 10am - 5pm Sat, Sep 24 - Sun, Sep 25, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA, 774-230-7153, www.towerhillbg.org

24, Saturday –Lasting Impressions: Art Quilts 2016, Whistler House Museum of Art, 243 Worthen Street, Lowell, MA - All artists seek to make an impression on the viewer with their creations. For Lasting Impressions, we asked quilters to take that sentiment a step further and use stamps, dye, stitching, and other techniques to make their fabrics as striking as their designs. With quilts comprised of at least 50% handmade fabrics, this eclectic exhibition showcases the breadth of technique and style that can be achieved through the quilter's manipulation of his/her medium. whistlerhouse.org

25, Sunday - Historical Piano Concert at Ashburnham Community Church, 84 Main Street (Rt. 12) Ashburnham. 4:00-5:00, Jerilyn Jorgensen, violin, and Cullan Bryant: pianos by Brodmann, c. 1800-1805, and Bösendorfer, ca. 1830, both of Vienna: Beethoven’s sonatas for piano and violin, Nos. 2, 8 and 10. Admission $10, children and students, free. No advance reservations. Visit frederickCollection.org.

25, Sunday – Johnny Appleseed’s Birthday at the Visitor Center on Route 2. Stop in for a slice of cake (while it lasts), to help celebrate Johnny’s birthday.

9:00-5:00

25, Sunday - Plastic Imagination at the Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St., Fitchburg. Plastic Imagination explores the work of 10 contemporary New England artists who create extraordinary things with all kinds of plastics. Lisa Barthelson, Tom Deininger, Dana Filibert, Joseph Fucigna, Lynne Harlow, Niho Kozuru, Margaret Roleke, Dean Snyder, Bill Thompson, and Brian Zink all find inspiration in the fillers, films and moldable plastics made popular throughout the last century. Some shave, sand, and paint different densities of foam. Some play up the translucent or opaque qualities of Plexi or Fiberglass, and some recycle plastic toys, treasures, and trash. Some present everyday plastics as strictly formal studies, while others crave the layers of meaning (social, political, cultural, environmental, and economic) that result from a focus on this ubiquitous and arguably indispensable material. Open Weds.-Fri. noon-4 pm. Sat.-Sun., 11 am-5 pm. Call 978-345-4207 or visit fitchburgartmuseum.org.