Sep 20-28, 2010: Howl with Wolves, Fluff & Astronomy Fests, Fireworks, Re-enactments, Birds of Prey & Ferret Fests, Open Studios, Full Moon Corn Mazes!

09/19/10 by Johnny Monsarrat

This is the last week of summer but the first week of Halloween events! Get out and do some!

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-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Free Tickets to Canobie Lake Park, & Movie Previews		Sat 9/18 – Sun 10/31	New Hampshire
I get a lot of free stuff in-between weekly blog posts. This week, because you’re not on the Facebook group, you missed tickets to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the play at the North Shore Music Theatre, and movie previews for Conviction and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. However, you can still win free movie previews of Legend of the Guardians (Mon), Buried (Mon), Never Let Me Go (Thu), and Wall Street 2 (Fri). And I have passes for Screeemfest at Canobie Lake Park in October! Email me and join the facebook group at this link. Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH. more
Wolf Hollow – Full Moon Howl		Thu 9/23	North Shore
I’ve been to this one, and it’s highly recommended! You hear a lecture get to howl along with their wolves! Call ahead to reserve a space. Rain date one week later. 114 Essex Rd, Ipswich, MA.978 356-0216. more
What the Fluff? (Marshmallow Fluff festival)		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
Somerville has two conflicting outdoor events this weekend! The first is a celebration of Marshmallow Fluff, which was invented in Somerville. 4-7pm, with a ton of outdoor vendors and games. Rain date next day. Union Square Plaza, Somerville, MA.617-623-1392 x119. more
Somerville Riverfest		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
But Riverfest will have live music at 4pm and fireworks at 7:45pm! Rain date next day. Behind the Christmas Tree Stores Parking lot. Assembly Square, Somerville, MA.617-625-6600 ext. 2615. more
Arlington Town Day & Astronomy Night		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
Don’t leave Arlington out, because they’ll have fireworks on Friday at Spy Pond, rain date: Saturday, and a big street festival Saturday on Mass Ave with pony rides, vendors, and music (rain date: following week) followed by astronomy at 8pm at Robbins Farm Park. Spy Pond Field, Arlington, MA. more
Colonial Faire & Muster of Fyfe & Drums		Sat 9/25	Metro West
I’m always a fan of Revolutionary War re-enactors. This event will have plenty, doing a mock battle, with games, drill instruction, vendors, and fyfe and drum. Rain date is following day. Wayside Inn, Rt 20, Sudbury, MA. more
Rappin’ with Raptors Festival		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
This festival features live music, a petting zoo, and raptor demonstrations. 1-4pm. Free. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan, MA. more
South End Open Studios (Boston Open Studios, United South End Artists Open Studios)		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	Boston Metro
While you’re there, South Boston is said to be the “best” artist community in Boston so this event is very worthwhile. You walk around visiting local artists homes and studios. It’s far more personal than simply meeting vendors, and it’s nice to walk around getting to know a neighborhood! It’s free but of course they hope you’ll buy some artwork. I guess they don’t have any Web artists, though, judging from their website. 2009: 11am-6pm. Info booth at 540/560 Harrison Ave. Start from 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA.617-267-8862. more
Jamaica Plain Open Studios		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	Boston Metro
Jamaica Plain is also having an open studios, where you get to walk around the community visiting local artists at their homes or working studios. It’s a good Fall activity because you’re partly outdoors but partly indoors. Jamaica Plain, MA. more
Lowell Open Studios		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	Northern Mass
And I’m sure Lowell has a good open studios as well. Lowell, MA. more
Kimball Farm Full Moon Corn Maze		Fri 9/24 – Sun 9/26	Northern Mass
While you’re north of the city, this farm stays open until 8:30pm so you can walk through their corn field maze in the dark. I’ve been to this one and it’s fun also, but smaller than my favorite at Davis Farmland. Bring a flashlight. And they have a “pumpkin launcher”, which I can only hope is a catapult. Kimball Farm Corn Maze, 780 East Broadway, Haverhill, MA.978 521-3990. more
Birds of Prey at David Farmland		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	Worcester
Davis Farmland combines birds of prey with a corn maze! Irresistable! Note: you have to bring kids along to get into the farmland attraction, but anyone can do the amazing corn maze. 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more
The Good, The Bad, & The Fuzzy: A Ferret Festival		Sat 9/25	Metro West
I swear I am not making this up! It’s a ferret festival! I’m sure the ferrets are very cute. Let’s hold the birds of prey don’t find out about this. 2009: 11am-4pm. Outdoors. Ferret games and contests. Knights of Columbus Hall, 375 Foundry Street, North Easton, MA.781-224-1098. more
Tufts Community Day		Sun 9/26	Boston Metro
Not much happens in Medford. So, this is your chance to catch something happening! Lots of community booths and kids activities. Tufts University, Medford, MA. more
Danehy Park Family Day		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
Cambridge is having a festival, too. This one’s for kids, and those who are kids at heart. They’ll have arts & crafts, amusement park rides, but sort of kids-only. And kite and music and a lovely day out in the park that anyone can enjoy. 11am-4pm. Danehy Park, 99 Sherman St., Cambridge, MA.617-349-4301 or 617-349-6229. more
The Quest for Innovation		Thu 9/23	Boston Metro
Also in Cambridge, this game is a city-wide scavenger hunt that looks eerily professional, one of these mobile device games I’ve been listing lately. You’ll learn something about local entrepreneurship, too. I think it’s a gimmick to get you to visit Microsoft and Google. And there’s an afterparty. Kendall Square area, Cambridge, MA. more
Iron Chef (with real Iron)		Sat 9/25	Rhode Island
This is a sculpture competition, and it’s free! Rain date: next day. 27 Sims Ave, Providence, RI. more
2010 Esplanade Centennial Gala		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
There has got to be a charge for this evening of dinner and dance under the stars? None is listed, but it’s a fundraiser. Esplanade, Boston, MA. more
Endless Summer Waterfront Festival at Nantasket		Sat 9/25	South Shore
Summer’s not actually endless, so take advantage of these outdoor festivals while they last! Rain date the next day. It’s free! They’ll have a participatory sandcastle competition and a street chalk art event (Sign up). And they’ll have hot dog, pizza eating, and “brain freeze” smoothie eating competitions. Sounds great! 2009: 12-6pm. Nantasket Beach, Nantasket Avenue, Hull, MA. more
Working Waterfront Festival		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	Southeast Mass
This is your chance to learn why the crazy fisherman in The Perfect Storm did what they did. It looks quite interesting. They’ll have demonstrations of net mending, trap making, book readings, dance, music, learn knot tying, etc. Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 3, New Bedford, MA. more
SCA’s Golden Tygre Tavern		Fri 9/24 – Sun 9/26	Rhode Island
I don’t really get this. It’s based on a medeival tavern concept, but runs three days? Well, the Society for Creative Anachronism is always a good time, I would assume, with their historical re-enactments. Westwood YMCA Camp, 2095 Harkney Hill Rd, Coventry, RI. more
The Praying Indian Natick and Ponkapoag Tribe: Harvest Moon and Creator Praise Day Celebration		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	Metro West
You’ll see a huge array of native american festivals on this website. I’ll list the biggest for you throughout the year. Cochituate Lake, Rte.30, Natick, MA.508-622-0189. more
Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon		Sat 9/25	Western Mass
How awesome is this? They’ll read all of Emily Dickinson’s 1,789 poems in 18 hours, from 7am to 1am. It’s the same day as their anniversary celebration, and they’ll have a special play and tours. 280 Main Street, Amherst, MA.413-542-8161. more
Halloween
Poe		Sat 9/18 – Sun 10/3	North Shore
Halloween is starting! Based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, these are spooky skits and plays with puppetry and movement by a theatre troupe. Rain date: following weekend. Maudslay State Park, Newburyport, MA.978-465-2572. more
Terrorthon & J. Cannibal’s Feast of Flesh		Fri 9/24 – Sat 10/2	Boston Metro
I’m a big fan of the horror-themed Feast of Flesh festival, and its been extended to over a week of movies, ending with the fest itself. Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA. more
Also Fun
Buster Keaton’s “Steamboat Bill Jr.” with live accompaniment		Mon 9/27	Boston Metro
Also amazing, check out this comedy classic, a silent film with live music performed. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more
Boston Film Festival		Fri 9/17 – Thu 9/23	Boston Metro
The Boston Film Festival is your alternative to enjoying the last few warm days of the year. Imagine yourself in February thinking “I’m glad I spent time indoors in September!” No doubt several of the filmmakers and actors will attend, but they neglected to annotate that on their schedule. Stuart Street Playhouse, Boston, MA.617-621-1202. more
United Nations Association Film Festival		Fri 9/24 – Sat 10/2	Boston Metro
Films from around the world. They will have a reception though and a couple of filmmaker talks, making this a real festival. Brattle Theatre & Kennedy School of Gov’t, Cambridge, MA. more
Pops in the Parks		Sun 9/26	Boston Metro
There’s a free concert on Boston Common by the Boston Pops. 3pm. Boston Common, Boston, MA. more
College Night at The Museum of Science, Boston		Mon 9/20	Boston Metro
Students also get in for free at the Museum of Science. Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA. more
MFA College Night		Thu 9/23	Boston Metro
The MFA is free, if you have a college ID! Or can fake one! Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more
Free Museum Day		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
But that’s not all! Another 40 museums are free through some kind of promotion. All Around, Nationwide. more
Faire on the Square		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
Much closer to Boston, try this street fair in Watertown. Rain or shine. Free. They’ll have an apple pie contest, live music including “doo wop” and a capella, martial arts, and juggling. Saltonstall Park, in and around Town Hall, Watertown, MA. more
Phantom Gourmet Food Festival		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
For this commercial event, you pay $40 and sample food from 80 restaurants. I don’t normally even read “tastings” ads but the Phantom Gourmet is a good judge. Must buy tix in advance! Seriously, I showed up one year and was told they were out of tickets. Landsdowne St., Boston, MA. more
Boston Charter Day		Thu 9/23 – Sun 9/26	Boston Metro
This is a series of lectures about the founding of Boston, but it takes place at various locations and thus is not really a festival. Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Boston, MA. more
CCTV’s Annual Backyard BBQ		Thu 9/23	Boston Metro
CCTV is only a small TV station, but they need love, money and they can give you BBQ! 675 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.617-661-6900. more
Bedford Day		Sat 9/25	Metro West
Bedford day is a parade that ends at a street festival, with the usual high-school and ‘community’ entertainment. Bedford, MA. more
Fall Fair at Stonybrook		Sat 9/25	Metro West
Live music, owls, and live art vendors. And “children’s activities”. Where are the adult activities? 108 North Street, Norfolk, MA. more
Annual Mass. Outdoor Expo		Sat 9/25	Worcester
Also in the Worcester area, stop by and learn to shoot and fish wildlife, archery, rock climbing, and other braggable manly stuff. Sturbridge, MA. more
Moon Festival		Fri 9/24	Worcester
No, you do not Moon anyone during this festival, nor is it held on the moon. It’s too bad this event seems oriented towards kids, because they feature a lion dance, origami, moon cake, and a lantern parade for children. 65 Tainter St, Worcester, MA. more
Annual Country Fair at Hancock Shaker Village		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	Western Mass
This agricultural fest comes with wagon rides and a pie contest, at a historic re-enactment museum. First Two Blocks of North St, Pittsfield, MA.413-443-6501. more
Franklin County Fiber Twist		Sat 9/25	Western Mass
And heading further out west, this is a wool spinning demonstration. There may be some kind of open studios, too. Greenfield High School, Greenfield, MA. more
Apple Squeeze Festival		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	Western Mass
Although I could not find a description, with the right attitude, you can turn this street festival into a true celebration. Lenox, MA.413.637.3646. more
Meet Me Downtown Festival of the Arts in Lynn		Sat 9/25	North Shore
Now let’s head up the North Shore. It seems like this festival will be small (they claim 3,000 people). They’ll have the usual vendors and music, a talent show and unspecified “performances”. Central Square, Lynn, MA. more
Marblehead Fall Festival		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	North Shore
They’ll have horse-drawn hay rides and “family activities”. That means kids activities that will bore the rest of the family silly. But who cares about the adults? Marblehead, MA. more
Family Harvest Festival		Sat 9/25	North Shore
At this festival you can “see farm equipment”. What, we can’t drive around in it? They’ll have a pie-eating contest and a hay bale maze. 5 Little’s Lane, Newbury, MA. more
Vintage Baseball Doubleheader		Sun 9/26	North Shore
Teams demonstrate the old-timey original rules of baseball. Also Oct 3rd. Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury, MA.978-462-2634. more
Italian Fest in Haverhill		Sun 9/26	Northern Mass
Guys, you should really smile when they take your promotional photo. I’m just sayin’. Haverhill, MA.978-373-5663. more
Andover Days		Sat 9/25	Northern Mass
This fair features a live performance by One Step Away, other live music, and activities ‘to entertain all ages’. What, not just kids? (Not that I’m jealous…). Main Street, Andover, MA. more
Japanese Tea Ceremony		Sun 9/26	South Shore
And you thought the British liked tea! The Japanese make a whole production of it. Duxbury, MA. more
New Hampshire, VT, ME Day at Southwick’s Zoo		Sat 9/25	Southeast Mass
This week it’s New Hampshire resident’s turn to get free admission to New England’s largest zoo. 2 Southwick Street, Mendon, MA.800-258-9182. more
Free Star Parties		Sat 9/25	Southeast Mass
Learn about the stars from an astronomer. Call ahead for weather check if possibly cloudy. Moose Hill, 293 Moose Hill St, Sharon, MA.781-784-5691 x8103. more
Bourne Scallop Festival		Sat 9/25 – Mon 9/27	Cape Cod
On Cape Cod: a festival based on a single food. I’ve seen so many ads for this that it’s hard to believe the festival is based on scallops. I guess there’s a powerful scallop lobby. They claim that 40,000 people will attend, with the usual art and craft vendors, carnival rides and live music, and they don’t actually mention scallops amongst their food choices, which is odd. Speaking of odd, what real estate agent GENIUS chose the name “Buzzards Bay”? Main Street, Bourne, MA. more
Cape Cod Wildlife Festival		Sat 9/25	Cape Cod
This event isn’t for humans. It’s for wildlife. They need a party, too! Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable, MA. more
Winchester Pickle Festival		Sat 9/25	New Hampshire
What a pickle they’ve gotten themselves into! This will pickle your fancy. Parade, “pickle themed” costumes and bands. Main Street, Winchester, NH. more
Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	New Hampshire
What do you do with a drunken sailor? Put him in the long boat ’til he’s sober, earlie in the mornin’! Portsmouth, NH. more
Rocktucket		Sat 9/25	Rhode Island
This block party goes for 8 hours! As well as the live music, they’ll have a treasure hunt, and “maybe a surprise or two”. Would this surprise possibly involve “family activities”? 215 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI. more
FirstWorksProv		Sat 9/25 – Sat 11/13	Rhode Island
This series of performances and gallery exhibitions should in no way be considered a ‘festival’. That being said, a number of the concerts look interesting. Various Places, Providence, RI. more
Open Studios Pawtucket		Sat 9/25 – Sun 9/26	Rhode Island
There’s an open studios in Pawtucket too. Basically an excuse to walk around and chat with actual artists, not merchants and check out the Rhode Island scene. Pawtucket, RI. more
Pawtucket Stone Soup Folk Festival		Sat 9/25	Rhode Island
For example, the Stone Soup Folk Festival is a day of folk music, and there are other arty things happening across the city this week. Slater Memorial Park, 401 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.401-724-5200. more
Waterfire: a Night River Festival		Sat 9/25	Rhode Island
And Waterfire involves a burning river and music. Providence, RI. more
Barktoberfest – Pound Hounds Family Fun Day & Dog Walk		Sun 9/26	Northern Mass
Animal events continue! This one comes with frisbee dogs and pet trick competitions! Rain or shine. 4-H Fairgrounds, 51 S. Chelmsford Rd., Westford, MA.508-435-5029. more
Hub on Wheels		Sun 9/26	Boston Metro
I can’t believe they’re going to shut down Storrow Drive so that bicyclers (who have plenty of bike paths, frankly) can dominate the city. Amazing. Goes to a student charity. Various, Boston, MA. more
Walk for Autism Research		Sun 9/26	Boston Metro
Yet another walk. Suffolk Downs, East Boston, MA. more
Harbor to the Bay AIDS Bike Ride		Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
Yet another charity. This time, bikes do the walking. Boston to Provincetown. Ride to Provincetown starting from Boston, Boston, MA. more
Recurring
Eastern States Exposition		Fri 9/17 – Sun 10/3	Springfield
New England’s largest agricultural fair continues, with hokey vendors, an okay traveling carnival, a horse show, actual famous musicians, and a great circus! They’ll also have a slightly alarming “New England in Miniature” called Storrowton which is the only part of New England that many tourists will ever see, and possibly tethered balloon rides. Rt 90W to exit 4. Rt 5S. 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. more
Panel discussion on the A.R.T.’s production of Caberet		Mon 9/20	Boston Metro
The ART is doing a production of Cabaret, the musical set in Germany’s pre-war period. I’m sure it’s good but I don’t list much performance. Anyway, they’re doing a panel including Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls, whose music inspires goth kids. Goth kids aren’t nazis, but both groups love dressing in scary black a little too much for me. 6pm. Come early to make sure you get a seat. Oberon, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA. more
King Richard’s Faire (Ren Faire)		Sat 9/4 – Sun 10/24	South Shore
New England’s largest renaissance faire continues. Weekends & holidays only. Plenty of Ren Faire vendors and people-watching, with 8 performance stages. Only 1/3 of the acts are worth watching, but definitely see the Aerial Angels, Paolo Garbanzo, and especially the jousting! Rt 3 S to Rt 44 W to Rt 58 S. Carver, MA.508-866-5391. more
Perfect Harmony		Thu 9/9 – Sun 10/3	Boston Metro
I’ve seen this stunning musical, where high school teams compete for the a capella nationals. It’s both hilarious and dramatic enough to make you cry. Um, the guy next to me was crying, I mean. It’s lewd like a lot of comedy these days, but in a great way, and the songs and plot twists build the whole thing to a higher level. You really need to check it out!! Stoneham Theatre, Stoneham, MA. more
Wings of Freedom Tour		Wed 9/15 – Mon 9/20	North Shore
This traveling show lets you walk through this aircraft for $12, or go for a flight for $425! 9/13-15 Lincoln, RI, 9/15-17 Hyannis, MA, 9/17-20 Beverly, MA, and so forth through 10/1. This one you actually get to fly in an old bomber aircraft and it’s far more expensive. Various Locations. more
Trails & Sails Weekend		Fri 9/17 – Sun 9/26	North Shore
This ‘festival’ continues, a series of 140 independent events all over the region. Take shuttle at http://ipswichessexexplorer.com/. Various areas, Ipswich, MA. more
BeanTown Jazz Festival		Wed 9/15 – Sat 9/25	Boston Metro
Does anyone under 40 care about jazz? The serious part of this festival, which is really a series of performances, is a big street festival on 9/25. Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA. more
Rochester Fair		Fri 9/17 – Sun 9/26	New Hampshire
Fiesta Shows’ travel carnival visits New Hampshire, and they’ll have racing pigs, a giraffe exhibit, and a demolition derby. Rochester, NH. more
Travel
Pipes in the Valley – A Celtic Celebration		Sat 9/25	Connecticut
This festival looks great! Too bad it’s so far from me here in Boston. Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Hartford, CT. more
September Wildfire. Fire Arts Event		Sat 9/25 – Mon 9/27	Connecticut
Would you like to learn to “spin” fire? That means basically dancing with flaming balls on strings. Ashford, CT. more
King Arthur’s Fall Harvest Faire		Sat 9/25 – Sun 10/24	Connecticut
I’ve heard this one is better and bigger than King Richard’s Faire, and it’s not too far: just 1.5 hrs from Boston. It’s just across the border into Connecticut. Raine or shine. 2008: Weekends & holidays, 10am-6pm. Woodstock, CT.860-923-0454. more
Adirondack Ballon Festival		Thu 9/23 – Sun 9/26	New York
If you really feel like a long drive, there’s ballooooooons out theeeerreee. Glen Falls, NY. more

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