May 7-15, 2012: Steampunk, Star Wars, Lilac, and Renaissance Fests, Pride Parade, Stargazing, Civil War & Blacksmith Re-enactments!

05/07/12 by
This Week in ReviewJohnny Monsarrat

Don’t take your mom out to lunch! You’ll forget all about that. Make a real memory by doing something active and wonderful in creative New England. Like any of the below!

I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!

-Johnny

Watch City Festival at Boston Events INSIDER

Watch City Festival

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It’s a must-see! Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that combines Victorian aesthetics with futuristic technology. Grab a top hat and some goggles for this festival with 5 performance stages, 3 mansions, and 2 museums all dressed up techo-fantasy 18th century style. See a Civil War re-enactment, fire eaters, Morris dancers, blacksmithing, a parade, and tons more!! (Click ‘more’ for details)It’s a must-see! Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that combines Victor…
Charles River Museum of Industry 154 Moody St Waltham, MA

. Johnny’s comments

Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum at Boston Events INSIDER

Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum is not just a park but a botanical zoo, including bonsais. That’s a fun word to say. Bonsai! Bonsai! For Lilac Sunday they feature Morris dancing, where performers dance folksy waving handkerchiefs or knocking sticks together. It involves a lot of hopping. The Arboretum strongly advises you to take public transportation. There are a bunch more Mother’s Day events below, too. 10am-4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)The Arnold Arboretum is not just a park but a botanical z…
Arnold Arboretum 125 Arborway Jamaica Plain, MA

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New Hampshire Renaissance Faire (Spring) at Boston Events INSIDER

New Hampshire Renaissance Faire (Spring)

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Just one hour’s drive from Boston! Live music, comedy shows, magic, swordfighting, a maypole dance, a Wench & Lad Auction, live chess, and an evening Beltaine Celebration on May 12 only. (Click ‘more’ for details)Just one hour’s drive from Boston! Live music, comedy show…
Thorne Road Kingston, NH

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Star Wars Day at the Higgins Armory at Boston Events INSIDER

Star Wars Day at the Higgins Armory

See a lightsaber fight and take a saber class! The Higgins Armory features medeival suits of armor and weapons. But this week, they add Star Wars re-enactors like costumed “stormtroopers”. Did you know that fans call May 4 “Star Wars Day”? May the 4th be with you! 10am-4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)See a lightsaber fight and take a saber class! The Higgins Arm…
Higgins Armory 100 Barber Ave Worcester, MA

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Northampton Pride Parade at Boston Events INSIDER

Northampton Pride Parade

This parade features the entire community in support of LGBT groups. The whole thing ends up at a fairgrounds where presumably the revelry will continue? 12pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)This parade features the entire community in support of LGBT groups. Th…
3 County Fairgrounds, Fair St Northampton, MA

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Stargazing and Planet Spotting with Arunah Hill at Boston Events INSIDER

Stargazing and Planet Spotting with Arunah Hi…

I’ve joined these hobbyist astronomers and it’s a fantastic way to learn the constellations and stars. Try a telescope. 6-11pm. Free! (Click ‘more’ for details)I’ve joined these hobbyist astronomers and it’s a f…
Notchview, Route 9 Windsor, MA

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Blacksmith Weekend at Boston Events INSIDER

Blacksmith Weekend

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All blacksmiths all the time is the theme for this 18th century re-enactment. I’ve never seen that before. Get yourself a horseshoe. (Click ‘more’ for details)All blacksmiths all the time is the theme for this 18th century re-enactment….
267 Springfield Rd Charlestown, NH

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Templeton - Civil War Reenactment at Boston Events INSIDER

Templeton – Civil War Reenactment

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This year is the Civil War’s 150th anniversary and while I found no details, this event will most likely be worth seeing. Historical re-enactors have a lot of infectious passion and it’s a great way to learn youse some history. (Click ‘more’ for details)This year is the Civil War’s 150th anniversary and while I found…
Henshaw Farm 84 Henshaw Road Templeton, MA

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Get Johnny's 2012 New England Guide at Boston Events INSIDER

Get Johnny’s 2012 New England Guide

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I write about events weekly, but what about destinations? Where are the dinosaur footprints, the oddball museums, and a water park open indoors all year? Get my 2012 New England Guide! Just follow the link and help spread the word to friends about Events INSIDER to get it. (And then email me at johnny@eventsinsider.com. I’m not a mind reader.). (Click ‘more’ for details)I write about events weekly, but what about destinations? Where are…
All Over

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Observatory Open House & Kite Festival at Boston Events INSIDER

Observatory Open House & Kite Festival

The Blue Hills is also doing an observatory day, with kites and presentations on weather forecasting, including “balloon releases”. It’s also the closest place to Boston get in some real hiking. 10am-4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)The Blue Hills is also doing an observatory day, with kite…
Blue Hill Observatory 1904 Canton Avenue Milton, MA

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This week’s top items are below, or see the complete Boston Events Insider.

 

And a lot more this week at Boston Events Insider, the most popular events blog in New England, including:

Mayor Menino’s Bike Festival
Peter’s Corps
Cambridge Open Studios – East & Central
Fort Point Spring Art Walk
Park After Dark at the DeCordova
World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast
Emily Dickinson Museum Open House & Poetry Walk
Scrimshaw Weekend
Misquamicut SpringFest
Audubon Society Birdathon
Medieval Rose Festival
Belmont Town Day
WFNX Downtown Crossing Block Party
Science on Screen: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
1812: The Navy’s War
Beantown Centennials
Southbridge Police Carnival
Southbridge May Day Festival
Lynn Carnival
Sheep Shearing Day
Duckling Day Parade
Chelmsford Quilter’s Guild – Quilt Show
Boston LGBT Film Festival
Earth Port Film Festival
SMFA Spring Sidewalk Sale
Brimfield Antiques Show (Spring)
Of Masterpieces and Manure: The Garden as a Work of Art
Fenway Park Run/Walk to Home Base
Massachusetts Farmers Markets Open
Memories of Mothers – a walking tour
Mother’s Day Weekend Jane Austen Tours
Free Mother’s Day at Old Sturbridge Village
Mother’s Day Buffet at Verrill Farm
Bye Bye Liver – our review
Boston Handbell Festival
Live Outdoor “Life & Music of Woody Guthrie”
Weird Al Yankovic
Connecticut Renaissance Faire – Spring
Burning of the Fleet Day
National Train Day at the Danbury Railway
Fusion: An Event to Wake All Your Sense
Hammonasset Kite Festival
NorEasters Monthly Kite Fly
Vermont Civil War Weekend and Encampment
Let me build you a website!
Johnny’s Big Diet Spectacular