May 23-31, 2011: Canobie Lake Park, Scottish Games, Zombie March, Memorial Day Fireworks, Re-enactments, Native American Fest
05/23/11 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Outdoor music series are slowly starting to get going this week, but you’ll see more than 200 that I track by August. Make Memorial Day an excuse to travel out of town to someplace foreign and check out how they parade. It’s also a great time to go hiking because it’s not too hot. Tomorrow I head out to experience High 5’s hot air ballooning and will tell you all about it! I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!
-Johnny
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| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Fri 5/27 – Fri 7/1New HampshireCanobie Lake Park – tix giveaway | ||||
| Canobie Lake Park is my favorite amusement park in New England. It’s not as big as Six Flags New England but it’s a real park with trees and shady spots to relax as well as the thrill rides. You can take a boat ride around their lake or get the birds eye view from the gondola. And I have 4 tickets to give away this week for Canobie Lake Park! Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com to win. 85 N. Policy Street, Salem, NH.603.893.3506. more |
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| Sat 5/28New HampshireSouthern New Hampshire Scottish Games & Celtic Festival |
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| I’ve seen Scottish Games and I expect this to be a fantastic event! Even though I couldn’t find a real website, you’ll discover — most likely — dance, live music, “clans” with booths, a parade of bagpipes, and all manner of weird sports, like throwing poles. 2011:. Oak Park, Greenfield, NH. more |
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| Fri 5/27 – Mon 5/30Northern MassSteam & Cinders 3-Day Weekend | ||||
| What is live roleplaying? It’s like a theatre show you get to improvise. This weekend LARP group Steam & Cinders hosts one of its semi-annual 3-day games. Bring your top hats, goggles, modded nerf guns, petticoats, corsets, tail coats, and anything with brass buttons. 1031 Erickson Rd., Ashby, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/28 – Sun 5/29Boston MetroZombie March VII |
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| A zombie march is exactly what you think it is! You dress up as something scary — preferrably a zombie — and join a legion of ghouls pretending to march on Boston, entertaining passersby. Starts at South Station at 3:30 PM and ends around 8:30 PM. South Station, Boston, MA. more more |
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| Sun 5/29New HampshireMemorial Day Fireworks at Hampton Beach |
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| Of course the big event of the week is really Memorial Day. It’s not hard to find Memorial Day events. I suggest traveling to some small town and catching the enthusiasm of the event organizers. Below are a select few of the dozens of towns that will be celebrating. Let’s start with: fireworks in New Hampshire! Hampton Beach, Hampton Beach, NH. more |
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| Mon 5/30Boston MetroHorn Pond Memorial Lantern Walk |
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| If you’re looking for a more poignant way to commemorate the holiday, join the Memorial Lantern Walk in Woburn. If you haven’t got your own lantern, you can buy one at the event for a small donation. You can also go to the lantern-making workshop at the local Whole Foods on May 27th. 7 PM. Horn Pond, Woburn, MA. more |
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| Tue 5/31Metro WestMemorial Day re-enactment in Concord |
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| Concord, which is known for its re-enactments, is having a parade and other observances featuring re-enactors from 9 AM to noon. From Rideout Field to Ash Street, Concord, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/28 – Sun 5/29South ShoreSpring Planting Moon Pow-Wow & Crafts Festival |
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| I’ve been to Native American festivals and they’re always intriguing, with great people who can show you dancing, demonstrations, and crafts. Marshfield Fairgrounds, 140 Main St., Marshfield, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/28 – Mon 5/30Boston MetroStreet Performer Festival at Faneuil Hall |
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| Every year, Faneuil Hall holds a festival of street performers that lasts all weekend. It sounds interesting, but I’ve never verified it’s level of coolness. 11 AM-10 PM. Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA.617-523-1300. more |
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| Fri 5/27 – Sun 5/29Southeast MassBayou N’ Boogie Fest |
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| My home town of Rehoboth, MA is doing something worth seeing! This isn’t just a music festival. There’s participatory dancing and music and dance workshops with late night jams. And they’ll have an authentic New England clambake!! Come for Cajun and Creole fun. Francis Farm, 27 Francis Farm Rd, Rehoboth, MA.401-965-0849. more |
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| Mon 5/30South ShoreMarshfield’s YesterDays | ||||
| If you’re a history buff like me, this is the outdoor festival for you. The Winslow House, the Daniel Webster Estate, the Marcia Thomas House and other sites in Marshfield’s historic complex will be open to the public and each venue will offer different, history-based activities. And there’s a free ice cream social from 1-3 PM. Yum! Ah NEEDS me some ice cream! Various historical estates, Marshfield, MA.781-834-0548. more |
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| Sun 5/29Western MassGravity Grand Prix |
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| I really want to see this! It’s a good old-fashioned soap box race. Participants sign in at 6 AM and the race starts at 9 AM. Prizes awarded for speed and creativity. Division Street between Long Pond Road / Christian Hill Road light and Route 41, Great Barrington, MA. more |
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| Sun 5/29 – Mon 5/30North ShoreNewburyport Spring Fest |
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| This one has the usual live music and vendors, but it’s a good bet! The street fests in downtown Newburyport are always fun, and if you get bored, you can take off and go to the beach. 10am-5pm. Downtown Newburyport, Newburyport, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/28 – Mon 5/30Rhode IslandGaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival |
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| This festival claims to attract 50,000 people to see 150 craft exhibitors with live music and entertainment, followed by a block party at 6 PM. Could it be true or are they just counting all the people who live nearby as attendees? Pawtuxet Village, Narragansett Parkway, Warwick, RI.401-781-1772. more |
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| Memorial Day | ||||
| Sun 5/29 – Mon 5/30All overFind a Memorial Day Parade Near You! |
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| Obviously, the big event of the week is Memorial Day, with festivals and parades all over New England. Below are a few of my favorite picks, but if you couldn’t find an event in Massachusetts near you, check this list! All Over. more |
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| Sun 5/29Boston MetroMemorial Day Parade: Somerville |
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| This Somerville parade claims to be the largest Memorial Day parade in the region! After an 8 AM procession, the parade steps off from City Hall at 1 PM and marches down Highland. City Hall, Somerville, MA. more |
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| Mon 5/30Metro WestMemorial Day Concert featuring the USAF Band of Liberty |
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| There’s also a free concert of patriotic music in Lexington. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. 2 PM. Minute Man Visitor Center – Rt 2A, Lexington, MA. more |
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| Tue 5/31Metro WestSudbury Memorial Day Parade |
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| This one’s notable because it will have re-enactors and remembers to honor Native Americans vets, too. 9:30-11 AM. Sudbury Town Center, Sudbury, MA. more |
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| Mon 5/30Cape CodMemorial Day Parade – Falmouth |
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| Memorial Day Ceremony to begin with a short parade leaving the Village Green at 9:45am. Village Green, down Main Street to Library Lawn, Falmouth, MA. more |
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| Mon 5/30Western MassMemorial Day Parade: Greenfield |
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| The 2011 parade begins at 10 AM beginning from the middle school and processing along Federal Street, making 4 separate stops to honor fallen soldiers. 195 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA. more |
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| Sun 5/29Northern MassMemorial Day Parade: Dunstable |
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| There are really too many to list but here’s another, focusing on re-enactors and WWII. Begins near the town library at 1 PM. Highland Street, Dunstable, MA.978-649-6425. more |
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| Mon 5/30LowellTyngsboro Memorial Day Parade |
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| At 9 AM, a motorcade stops at all the town cemeteries to salute the dead. The parade begins at 11 AM at the town hall, followed by a celebration. Parade starts at Old Town Hall on Kendall Road, Tyngsborough, MA. more |
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| Mon 5/30MaineMemorial Day Parade at Old Orchard Beach |
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| Line-up at noon at the entrance to the Ballpark on E. Emerson Cummings Blvd. Parade starts at 1 PM and marches down Saco Avenue to Old Orchard Street, and then to First Street. Ends in Memorial Park for a ceremony. Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard Beach, ME.207-934-2500. more |
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| Also Fun | ||||
| Mon 5/30Boston MetroMFA Free Community Day |
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| The MFA is free on Memorial Day. Thanks! 10am-4:45pm. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. more |
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| Wed 5/25Metro WestWriting the Civil War |
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| At 7 PM, Rob Velella, Independent Literary Scholar, gives a talk about the Civil War and its effect on the literature of the 19th century. The Wayside, Concord, Concord, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/28Metro WestDiscovery Day in Lexington |
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| There’s a small town festival in Lexington. Live music and dancing, balloons and clowns, and the usual vendors. 10 AM- 3 PM. Rain date June 4th. Muzzey Street at Waltham Street, Lexington, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/28Metro WestAsparagus Festival at Verrill Farm |
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| And naturally we should jump over to Verrill farm to celebrating asparagus. Or just a nice sunny day on this public admission farm. 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA. more |
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| Wed 5/25 – Mon 5/30Southeast MassLakeside Family Festival |
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| Rounding out the Fiesta Shows tour schedule for May is this carnival in East Freetown…. St John Neumann Church, 157 Middleboro Rd, East Freetown, MA. more |
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| Wed 5/25 – Sun 6/5LowellLowell Carnival |
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| … and this one in Lowell. Regatta Field, Pawtuckett Blvd., Lowell, MA. more |
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| Fri 5/27 – Sun 5/29South ShoreNorth River Festival of the Arts |
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| This is one of the less-commercial festivals going on, focused more on celebrating local artists than local shopping opportunities. Opening reception on Friday at 7 PM with the main festival happening on the weekend, 10 AM- 5 PM. Marshfield Hills Village, Marshfield Hills, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/28 – Sun 5/29Western MassMassachusetts Sheep and Wool Show |
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| This is the oldest sheep festival in New England, they say. They will have sheep. And bunny wabbits! Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA. more |
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| Sun 5/29New HampshireWildquack Duck River Festival |
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| One of the highlights of the weekend fesitivities in Jackson, NH is this 7 AM race of rubber duckies floating down a river. Don’t feel motivated to get up that early? (I wouldn’t.) There’s plenty of cool stuff to keep the whole family entertained throughout the day. Check out the website for details! Jackson Village Park, Jackson, NH. more |
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| Sun 6/5Boston MetroA Conversation with Judge Nancy Gertner |
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| The JFK Library and Museum has a ton of great events with tippity top politicians and other speakers, and their events generally sell out early. So here’s a heads up on Judge Nancy Gertner with Boston Globe columnist Brian McGrory. 1-2:30pm. Columbia Point, Boston, MA.617-514-1600. more |
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| Tue 6/14Boston MetroA Conversation with Boston Globe Pulitzer Prize-winners |
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| And this one features Boston Globe Pulitzer Prize-winners Ellen Goodman, Walter Robinson, Charlie Savage and Sebastian Smee. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM. You must register for this event, which is likely to sell out, so we’re letting you know early. Columbia Point, Boston, MA.617-514-1600. more |
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| Wed 5/25Rhode IslandA Conversation With Steve Martin — Providence, RI |
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| Steve Martin is best known for his comedy, but lately he’s been talking about art and banjos. So if you’re a fan, this event might be worth the trip to RI— It seems much more interactive than your average “Celebrity Talking” sort of thing. Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI.(401) 421-2787. more |
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| Fri 5/27Boston MetroHarvard “Patios in Bloom” Kickoff |
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| Harvard Square has a lot of chamber of commerce events. So, the Harvard Square restaurants and cafes are officially opening their patios, and I guess that’s. Harvard Square area, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 5/28 – Sun 5/29Rhode IslandVirtu Art Festival |
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| This arts fest comes with interesting performances too- In the past there’s been karate demonstration and bagpiping. Free. Rain or shine. 10 AM- 5 PM. Wilcox Park, Westerly, RI. more |
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| Sun 5/29Cape CodArtisans Fair and Flea Market |
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| If you’re spending the holiday weekend on the Cape, swing by this farm for their annual artisans fair and flea market. 11 AM- 3 PM. Followed by a BBQ both nights at 5! Coonamessett Farm, 277 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth, MA. more |
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| Travel | ||||
| Fri 5/27 – Sat 5/28ConnecticutRock n’ Roll ‘R Coaster Laser Light Show |
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| Help Quassy Amusement Park usher in the summer of the new “Wooden Warrior” roller coaster with a world-class laser light show after dark. Um, guys? You think the next new roller coaster you build could be metal? I’m just saying. Lake Quassapaug, Rt. 64 (2132 Middlebury Road), Middlebury, CT.203-758-2913. more |
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| Sat 5/28VermontMedieval Fair on Thetford Hill |
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| If swords, bodices, and mead strike your fancy, head to Vermont for this weekend Medieval Festival. 10 AM- 4 PM. Thetford Hill Green, Thetford, VT.802-785-2077. more |
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| Sat 5/28 – Sun 5/29VermontVermont Open Studios Weekend |
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| Artists and artisans throughout Vermont open their doors to the public this weekend. See the website for a map and list of participating studios. Various locations, Vermont. more |
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