Public Ren Wedding, Corn Maze, Free Plays & Improv, Agg, Kite, Bike, Music Fests - Boston Events Insider - Overview

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The Week in Weird
Opening Day for Davis Megamaze	8/6	Worcester
I love the MegaMaze! It's a huge corn maze with 3 miles of walkways, and because there are crossover bridges, the maze is far more complex than you'd think. It's next to a mid-tier amusement park with a petting zoo, apple-picking orchard (seasonally), hay rides, and water spray park. It's by far the best in New England and arguably the world. You really should go to this opening day celebration, or sometime else.. the maze is open through Halloween. 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more
Open Wedding w/ Royalty	8/8	Rhode Island
The weird event of the week has got to be this though: a Renaissance costumed wedding that is open to the public. Wow! How do I hear about this stuff? 12pm. Hand fasting. Sword Songs & Moor is doing a wedding that's open to the public? Donation. Royal feast, food, song, merriment, sword swashbuckling demonstration, appearance by King & Queen. Festival, & fun. RSVP in advance preferred. RSVP to Missy Martucci, martuccim@hotmail.com. Foster Woodlands, Rt 6, Foster RI.401-714-4244.
Free Shakespeare on Boston Common	7/31 - 8/16	Boston Metro
The free Shakespeare performance on Boston Common continues! It's The Comedy of Errors. Arrive early and bring a blanket or rent a chair! It's free! Boston Common, Boston, MA.617-426-0863. more
Improv on the Bricks	8/8 - 8/9	North Shore
There are a lot of outdoor events involving theatre. This one's worth a mention. It's Salem Theatre Company's outdoor improv comedy show. 3:30pm. Free! Bring a lawn chair or sit on the bricks. Derby Square & Front Street, Salem, MA. more
Folkways: A Day in the Life of the Early Colonists	8/1 - 8/31	North Shore
There's a historical re-enactment village near Salem that I've never visited and seems poorly described. Um, but I'm sure it's great! And they're having a play which itself is poorly described but seems to be some kind of historical thing. Friday - Tuesday from 11am-1pm. Part of Pioneer Village. Pioneer Village, Forest River Park, Salem, MA.978-867-4767. more
Annual Sand Sculpture Contest @ Marthas Vineyard	8/5	Cape Cod
I was wrong to write that Nantucket has the private beaches. Nantucket is the one with the public beaches! So as a result they are usually less crowded than a Martha's Vinyard, where many are private. Sorry about the mistake! If you are lucky enough to be visiting Martha's Vinyard, stop by the sand sculpture contest! South Beach (right fork), Edgartown, MA.508-627-8134. more
Rehoboth Fair	8/6 - 8/9	Southern Mass
I went last year to this one and it was pretty good! Not bad for my tiny hometown. They'll hav a petting zoo, live stock exhibits, tractor pulls, horse show, and Demolition Derby. Almeida Road at Wheaton Avenue, Rehoboth, MA. more
Rehoboth Antiquarian Society Clambake	8/9	Southern Mass
Also in Rehoboth, they're having the biggest museum celebration of the year. It's authentic New Englandy clambake all-you-can-eat goodness, check it out. Goff Hall, Rehoboth, MA.508-252-3031. more
National Night Out: Revere	8/4	Boston Metro
As I mentioned last week, in Revere, it's a free movie and "family fun" here. Garfield School, Revere, MA.617-343-4345. more
National Night Out: Franklin Park Zoo	8/4	Boston Metro
As I mentioned last week, the Franklin Park Zoo is free 5-8pm. Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA.617-343-4345. more
National Night Out: Block Parties	7/19 - 8/4	Boston Metro
As I mentioned last week, there are supposed to be block parties in neighborhoods all across Boston. But I couldn't find them on their website. Everywhere, Boston, MA.617-343-4345. more
Turners Falls Block Party	8/8	Western Mass
Another block party is way out in Western Massachusetts, with a parade, too. Turners Falls, MA.413.230.9910. more
Fall River Celebrates America	8/7 - 8/9	Southern Mass
It's festival season, and this one's special because it happens next to the largest marine exhibit in the world, Battleship Cove. They have a carousel, and fireworks! Battleship Cove at Fall River Heritage State Park, Fall River, MA. more
Newport Jazz Festival (JVC Jazz Festival)	8/8 - 8/9	Rhode Island
The Jazz Festival should be good too. I know because I was just there last weekend for the Folk Festival. Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI. more
Carnival in Beverly	8/7	North Shore
Beverly is having a carnival. Beverly, MA. more
Rock, Rattle, & Drum Pow Wow & Spirit on the Mountain Music Festival	8/7 - 8/9	Western Mass
This one seems to be a serious music event, and well worth a visit. Considering camping over that weekend. Eastover Resort, 430 East Street, Lenox, MA.413-464-0919. more
Beverly Homecoming Days	7/31 - 8/9	North Shore
Beverly's festival continues... This one ends with fireworks... Beverly, MA. more
Ipswich 375th Anniversary Celebration	8/9	North Shore
Ipswich is turning 375 and celebrating with what appears to be a fairly standard event: parade & live music. Take the shuttle at http://ipswichessexexplorer.com if you don't drive. Town Hall, Ipswich, MA. more
Beach Bash Kite Fest	8/9	South Shore
But I might rather go to this interactive festival, since the regular Boston-area Kite Festival is not running this year. Come see people fly stunt kites, and learn to fly one yourself! 10am-3pm. Pageant Field, 1 Merrymount Parkway, Quincy, MA. more
Boston by Bike at Night	8/8 - 8/9	Boston Metro
Speaking of hobbies, here's a nighttime Boston bike cruise, from midnight to dawn. meet Aug 8 at 11:15pm at Copley Square near Trinity Church. Ride 28 miles and finish at 7am at Christopher Columbus Park. Run by the Back Bay Midnight Pedalers. Not physically demanding. The idea is to learn things you didn't know about Boston history and architecture. Bring a bike with a light, & wear something reflective. Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon St., Boston, MA.617-522-0259.
Moonlight Paddle	8/5	Western Mass
Or go kayaking at night. Weatogue Road, Ashley Falls, Sheffield, MA. more
Arlington Astronomy Night	8/8 - 9/12	Boston Metro
My night choice would be looking at the moon through telescopes at this park in Arlington. 9:15pm. Weather permitting, and next one is September 12. Robbins Farm Park, Arlington, MA. more
Model airplanes - CRRC Soar-In	8/8 - 8/9	Metro West
Also a hobby is this model airplane event. I've been and it was fun if you'll be in the area. Off Rt 117. Call Mark Drela at 617 253 0067, or drela@mit.edu. Lunch included in admission. One of two big local model airplane events. Register ahead for discount. Directions, see http://www.charlesriverrc.org/fields_davis.htm. Davis Field, Sudbury, MA.(978) 897-1750. more
Anchor's Away: Miniature ship building	8/8 - 8/16	North Shore
Watch hobbyists actually build model ships, and over 30 will be on display. They have an exhibit on superheroes too where you can try on Superman's cape or climb into Batman's car. Rt 1A, Wenham, MA.978-468-2377. more
Tour of the Water Purification Facility	8/10	Boston Metro
What you really need is a tour of a water treatment plant. You know you want it! 6-7:30pm. Water Purification Facility, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge, MA. more
Cambridge Discovery Days	8/8 - 8/15	Boston Metro
OK, maybe not. Maybe you'd prefer free walking tours featuring famous dead poets, etc. and other locals. Various, Cambridge, MA. more
Harvard Reads: Poets at 200	8/9	Boston Metro
It's the 200th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe, so come hear Harvard Professors read his poetry, and others'. Longfellow Historic Site, Brattle St., Cambridge, MA.(617) 876-4491. more
Also Fun
Free "Fun Friday" @ Plimoth Plantation	8/7	South Shore
Plimoth Plantation is free on Friday. Thanks!! 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA.508-746-1622. more
Wachusett Valley Folk Festival	8/9	Northern Mass
And there are a bunch of smaller festivals. Here's one. Wachusett Village Inn, 9 Village Inn Road, Westminster, MA. more
Dorchester Beach Festival	8/8	Boston Metro
11am-4pm. If there's one thing I've learned about moonbounces, it's that 6'4" guys are too big for 'em. This looks pretty creative, including an eco-scavenger hunt and kite decorating. Malibu Beach, Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester, MA. more
Rockport Acoustic Music Festival	8/9	North Shore
Rockport, MA. more
Annual Winnekenni Castle Chowderfest	8/9	Northern Mass
This festival isn't just the chowder. They'll have magic shows and live music. Haverhill, MA. more
Naukabout Music Festival	8/8	Cape Cod
More music festivals... East Falmouth, MA. more
Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival	8/5 - 8/8	Southern Mass
Another excuse to stay indoors while on Martha's Vinyard. Martha's Vinyard, MA. more
Rhode Island International Film Festival	8/4 - 8/9	Rhode Island
Or in Rhode Island. This one celebrates, um, William Shatner. Providence, RI.401-861-4445. more
Lowell Quilt Festival (Images Quilt Show)	8/6 - 8/9	Northern Mass
2nd largest annual quilt festival in the Boston area. Lowell, MA. more
Essex Street Fair	8/8 - 8/9	North Shore
This "sidewalk festival" is pretty commercial. But Salem is fun to visit anyhow! And it's all part of Salem Heritage Days. Salem, MA. more
Red Bones Annual Pig Pickin'	8/10	Boston Metro
A southern-style hog roast and street festival to benefit charity. Live music. 6-9pm. Somerville, MA. more
Boston Restaurant Week - Summer	8/9 - 8/21	Boston Metro
Get cheap eats at the fanciest restaurants. A marketing ploy, a tourist event, what's the difference? Various, Boston, MA. more
Recurring Events
Sharon Pollock's Blood Relations (Lizzie Borden)	8/7 - 8/15	Boston Metro
Did you miss Lizzie Borden last week? This play seems to be more classy and less ghost-hunter-y. Arsenal Center for the Arts, Watertown, MA. more
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead	7/30 - 8/9	Boston Metro
One of my favorite plays, by Tom Stoppard, who wrote the screenplay for the movie "Shakespeare in Love", it a comedy about Hamlet's lesser known friends. Cambridge YMCA, 820 Mass. Ave, Cambridge, MA. more
The Ego & The Oracle	8/6 - 8/27	Boston Metro
This is an event where they spin the wheel and answer your questions or tell your fortune by playing music! Every Thursday in August! 6:30pm. The Burren, Davis Square, Somerville, MA. more
George's Island Kite Day (Go Fly a KITE Day)	8/8 - 8/29	Boston Metro
Kite experts give lessons on kite-flying, fre material to build kites. Boston Harbor Islands, Boston, MA.617-223-8666. more
Salem Heritage Days	7/31 - 8/10	North Shore
... At the same time as a Heritage Days festival, that includes annual ice cream event, a dog show, dance, comedy, an outdoor movie, and a pizza competition. And see the antique car show at the Phillips House on Aug 9. Salem, MA.978-740-1650. more
Quill Pen Writing	8/1 - 8/27	Boston Metro
I thought this was cute. While you're walking the Boston Freedom Trail, try your hand at writing with a real quill pen. Website only works in Internet Explorer. Old South Meeting House, Boston, MA. more
Swim with luminous jellyfish off the Cape	8/1 - 8/30	Cape Cod
How would you like to swim with harmless but glow-in-the-dark jellyfish? I went to Cape Cod last year on a mission to research this event. Near the end of August, sneak into McGansett Beach, in Falmouth. Or any public beach really. Or boat to Tarpaulin Cove. Choose a calm night, because if there's a lot of waves there may be too much turbulence to see the jellyfish. They are non-stinging, and small, about the size of a goose egg. The creatures glow when there's motion in the water, so if you disturb the water, such as jumping off the McGansett Beach dock, you see glowing. No real website, but you can ask about it at Woods Hole, http://www.whoi.edu, or the National Marine Life Center, www.nmic.org. Falmouth, MA. more
Kink 101 Club Night	8/8	Boston Metro
And it's a free party for people curious about sexuality. Cambridge, MA. more
Travel
Northeast Kingdom Music Festival	8/7 - 8/8	Vermont
Come camp for a whole weekend for this world music festival. Chilly Ranch, Albany, VT. more
Lake Champlain Bluegrass Festival	8/7 - 8/9	Vermont
Or this one... Rt 2, Alburgh, VT. more
Valley Stage Music Festival	8/8	Vermont
Or this one... Huntington, VT. more
Bangor State Fair	7/31 - 8/9	Maine
Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival here also! Bangor Fairgrounds, Bangor, ME. more