Zombie, Monster, Old Invention, Kennedy Greenyway & Ag Fests, Fireworks, Full Moon Hikes & Canoe

09/30/09 by Johnny Monsarrat

I’m running a charity walk in October! It’s below. Please tell your friends. This week I’ve been too busy to grab a bunch of photos. You’ll just have to imagine it. 🙂

Here’s your week in weird. Enjoy it! Want this weekly? Subscribe to email, Facebook, or Twitter.

-Johnny

The Week in Weird
J. Cannibal’s Feast of Flesh	10/3	Boston Metro
The weird event of the week is a zombie festival! Hosted in a movie theatre, you’ll see live music and burlesque, a costume competition and more, followed by a zombie film. I’ve been and it’s strangely classy & intelligent, really great. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more
Boston Monster March	10/24	Boston Metro
Also monstrous, this event is mine! I’m managing what should be the biggest festival in October: a costume charity walk and festival to benefit the Samaritans. You’ll find live music, a costume competition, prizes, giveaways, vendors, food, and… if I can get the City of Boston on board, lots of inflatable amusements meant for adults. The idea is to sign up in advance to fundraise and show off your costume by emailing your friends. Please check it out and if you love Johnny’s list, tell your friends! City Hall Plaza (Gov’t Center), Boston, MA. more
Mr. E. Floyd: The Pink Floyd Theatrical Rock Show	10/2	Boston Metro
My favorite tribute band is playing in Arlington. My bet: a bright future for these guys, who reproduce Pink Floyd without using any backing tracks or CDs. Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA. more
Topsfield Fair	10/2 – 10/12	North Shore
They’ll also have amusement park stuff, at one of the largest and best of Massachusetts agricultural fairs, but that’s because Fiesta Shows is running an entire carnival. See pig racing, a petting farm, sand sculptures, milking and bee keeping and wood carving demonstrations, and lots of animal show and pie competition goodness. MITAC discount. AAA discount. Topsfield, MA. more
Riverfest at Assembly Square	10/3	Boston Metro
Somerville’s festival would be the typical music and “games for families”, except that they’ll have fireworks! Rain date next day. Assembly Square, Somerville, MA. more more
Try Something New @ Kennedy Greenway	10/3	Boston Metro
Remember the Big Dig? Now that the highway is underground, there’s a new park in Boston, the Kennedy Greenway. It’s near the Aquarium subway stop. They’re having a festival all about workshops: cooking, fitness, a farmers market, interactive art displays and of course the carousel. The real draw though is “”an artificial ice surface”” that lets you ice skate. So what is it made of? Are they renting skates? Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA.
Annual Yankee Steam-Up	10/3	Rhode Island
How about trying something old? Also 19th century, before they had gas engines, they used steam. Can they bring steam engines back to solve global warming? Probably not since all that steam came from coal. This festival showcases working steam engines of every kind. New England Wireless and Steam Museum, 1300 Frenchtown Rd., East Greenwich, RI.401-885-0545. more
Guided Moonlight Paddle	10/3	Western Mass
I love an excuse to be out doing something creative at night. I assume this one has beauty to change your life. 5-7pm. Bartholomew’s Cobble, Sheffield, MA.413.229.8600. more
Full Moon Guided Hike	10/2	Worcester
This one’s later and probably even better. The full moon makes it practical. 7-9pm. Free,. Cormier Woods, Uxbridge, MA.978.840.4446 x1913. more
Moonlight Mazing @ Davis Farmland	10/3	Worcester
Also under the full moon, the fantastic corn maze at Davis Farmland is open at night! 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more
Kimball Farm Full Moon Corn Maze	10/2 – 10/3	Northern Mass
This farm has the same idea. I’ve been to this one and it’s fun also, but a much smaller venue. Bring a flashlight. The draw here is that 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
Coppal House Farm Corn Maze – Night Maze	10/3 – 10/10	New Hampshire
The night maze at Coppal House Farm continues. The big attraction here is that they’ll have a bonfire. Bring a flashlight, and get a peek of their Haunted House in construction. 118 North River Road, Lee, NH.603-659-3572. more
Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony & Lectures	10/1	Boston Metro
I mentioned this one last week and tickets may be sold out, It’s the phony comic “awards” given to real scientists doing bizarre and unintuitive research. Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Renaissance Ball at MIT	11/8	Boston Metro
Speaking of sold out, I’m announcing this event in advance because it just seems really cool. A large ballroom is transformed into a Renaissance court! Purchase tix by Oct 16. Doesn’t say MIT-only. 2pm-4:30pm. $10. MIT Walker Hall, 142 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA. more
Lowell Celebrates Kerouac	10/1 – 10/4	Northern Mass
Lowell is another city that tries extra hard (Quincy is another.) This event is based on Jack Kerouac, who is from Lowell MA. His books including “On The Road”, encourage wanderlust. This festival looks surprisingly meaty considering it’s inspired by book-lovers. They’ll have tours of the area, a marathon book reading, music events, and commentary on Jack Kerouac. Lowell, MA. more
Chelsea Kite Festival	10/3	Boston Metro
Can I say something? Stop complaining about the cold! You’ll wear yourself out. Look, we’ve got a whole winter to get through. Get OUTDOORS and enjoy the early Fall. I’m sure the Chelsea Kite Festival will be worth seeing, with kites of all different shapes and colors. No details are given about kite competitions or vendors, so I’m guessing basically it’s people flying kites in a park with no real scheduled ‘event’. Mary O’Malley Park on the Mystic River, Admiral’s Hill, Chelsea, MA. more
Garlicky-Greens Eating World Championship	10/3	Boston Metro
I’ve spoken with the owner of bGood, the surprising well-marketed community restaurant, and this event has now attracted “professional eaters”. I’d like to see that! Legacy Place, Dedham, MA. more
Boston Tattoo Convention	10/2 – 10/4	Boston Metro
It’s weird all right: The Boston Tattoo Convention. If you’re into tattoos, don’t miss this opportunity to gawk and be gawked at. Just don’t get a tattoo you won’t still be proud of when you’re 80! They’ll have a burlesque show and tattoo contests. Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA. more
Roxbury Open Studios	10/3 – 10/4	Boston Metro
Open studios are an excuse to stroll around the city visiting the homes and work studios of artists. Of course they want you to buy art, but at least you aren’t meeting vendors! It’s usually a fun time. Roxbury, MA. more
Green Buildings Open House	10/3	Boston Metro
This one involves private homes being opened to the public, too. Buildings all across New England are open for tours to show off renewable energy and energy conservation features. Various – see map, Everywhere. more
Forest Hills Dog Walk	10/3	Boston Metro
Or go walking with your dog instead, in a guided tour of monuments in the cemetery that your dog can put one leg up against. I went one year (without a dog!) as a favor for a friend who loves dogs. It was fun. Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA. more
E.E. Cummings Celebration	10/4	Boston Metro
Also at Forest Hills, a celebration for the poet who do’d “know it” and who is buried there. 2pm. Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA. more
Annual Roslindale Day Parade	10/4	Boston Metro
Personally I’d rather be taking in the gentrification nearby in the Roslindale Parade. There doesn’t appear to be anything in additional to the parade, despite the name “Roslindale Day”. Roslindale, MA. more
Lumberjack Competitions & Festival	10/4	New Hampshire
I’m a lumberjack, and I’m okay! Alright, I’m not a lumberjack, but I could fantasize at this festival with a log rolling contest and a lot more! Berlin, NH.603-752-7202. more
Fall Foliage Canoe @ Broadmoor	10/3 – 10/4	Metro West
You can also go canoeing in Natick, but they go one step further by actually providing the canoes. And a guide. Pre-register. $32. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot Street, Natick, MA.508-655-2296. more
Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival	10/3 – 10/4	Western Mass
With over 15,000 attending, they claim this is the longest-running and best-known community event in the Berkshires. They’ll have demonstrations of blacksmithing and wool spinning, hay rides, a haunted house, a pumpkin toss, crafts vendors, live music, and of course, face painting. Rtes. 102 and 183, Stockbridge, MA.413/298-3926. more
Mercedes Day @ Larz Anderson Museum	10/4	Boston Metro
The Larz Anderson has another of its classy lawn festivals, this time featuring mercedes. Mercedeseses. Mercs. 15 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.617-522-6547. more
Fort Adams in the Fall Car Festival	10/4	Rhode Island
Or zip down to Newport and see the historic mansions and the historic cars. Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI.401-841-0707. more
AltWheels Transportation Festival	10/5	Metro West
Personally I’d rather see the cards of the future, even at the shocking price of $65. They say it’s for “car industry people”. Staples World Headquarters, Framingham, MA.508-698-6810. more
Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me	10/8	Boston Metro
My favorite NPR show is swinging through town. Get your tickets now! (And give one to me!). Citiwang Theatre, Boston, MA. more
Fantastical Creatures Festival	10/3 – 10/4	North Shore
You don’t need an excuse to visit Salem in October. Just go! But they’ll have a treasure hunt throughout the museum and projects, like making a huge cardboard fish with a reknowned artist. Salem, MA. more
Also Fun
Samaritans 5K Run/Walk and Family Fest	10/3	Boston Metro
Did I mention the Samaritans? Oh yeah, I did. Although smaller, this event should fetch 3,000 people or more. Run along the Charles River and then a festival with music, games, kid’s events. Artesani Park, 1234 Soldiers Field Rd Road, Brighton, MA.617-536-2460. more
Juvenile Diabetes Walk	10/3	Boston Metro
It’s yet another charity walk, if that’s your thing. Esplanade, Boston, MA. more
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk	10/4	Boston Metro
No doubt a worthy charity walk. Esplanade, Boston, MA. more
Lung Bike Ride	10/2 – 10/4	South Shore
Why make strides when you can make cycles? Goes from Plymouth to Provincetown. Plymouth, MA. more
Family Fun For Farber	10/4	Boston Metro
What is it about walking? Why can’t we party for charity? This day will have so many games and rides and rodeo things and pony rides, you just have to go. And Miss Massachusetts will be there! Buy tix in advance. 1-4pm. Ironstone Farm, Andover, MA. more
Maynard FEST	10/3	Northern Mass
Maynard steps forward and dominates the region with its own festial, the largest harvest fest in the area. Magic pumpkin painting, fireworks, vendors. Maynard, MA. more
Grotonfest	10/3	Metro West
This festival has the usual live music, artists and vendors, and lots of dance and music performance. And llamas. What about the air show? Was there ever an air show at Grotonfest or am I going insane? Groton, MA. more
Films Of Mystery & Madness: Edgar Allan Poe On Screen	10/2 – 10/13	Boston Metro
Speaking of insanity, if you’re not mad beforehand, after 12 days of Edgar Allan Poe film, you might be. Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Lincoln, Douglass and the Transformative Power of Words	10/3	Boston Metro
No doubt this lecture on Lincoln, who was born the same year as Poe, is interesting, also. Student Center Ballroom, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. more
Norman Bird Sanctuary Annual Harvest Fair	10/3 – 10/4	Rhode Island
Do you love birds? Come see what’s happening at the “Monkey Bridge” and “Mud Pit”. 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown, RI.401-846-2577. more
Block Island Birding Weekend	10/3 – 10/4	Newport Area
Also about birds, but expensive: the Audubon Society will lead field trips for both newbie and expert bird-watchers. It lasts all weekend and they want $450. Yikes! Block Island, RI. more
North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival	10/3 – 10/4	North Shore
Now back to festivals. It’s not just a garlic festival, it’s an arts festival! They’ll have a bunch of cooking and artist demonstrations, workshops, and (for those who are gullible) ‘healing arts’. My favorite events on their schedule: clogging, yo yo-ing, Indian Bhangra dancing, a garlic sack race, and a garlic and egg toss. Vampires welcome! Orange, MA. more
Harvest Fair @ The Growing Center	10/3	Boston Metro
And the first of the harvest fests are here. They’ll have cider making, pumpkin decorating, music, and games, at this small but apparently powerful venue. Rain date the next day. Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Avenue, Somerville, MA. more
Weir River Farm Fall Festival	10/3	South Shore
It’s Fall. Let’s have a festival. 10am-2pm. Weir River Farm, Hingham, MA. more
North Adams Fall Foliage Parade	10/4	Western Mass
Here’s an excuse to head to Western Massachusetts to North Adams, where you can see the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). Oh, and fall foliage season begins! Downtown, North Adams, MA. more
Barnstable County Harvest Festival	10/3 – 10/4	Cape Cod
Let’s have a BIG festival! Rain or shine, with live music and various agricultural faire goodness. County Fairgrounds, Rt 151, East Falmouth, MA.508-563-3200. more
Family Weekend at Fitchburg State College	10/2 – 10/3	Metro West
I don’t really list college events for the parents. But this one comes with a parade & fireworks! Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, MA. more
Great Glass Pumpkin Patch @ MIT	10/2 – 10/4	Boston Metro
MIT has a glassblowing laboratory and every year they sell glass pumpkins in a big outdoor display. May be worth stopping by. Kresge Oval, MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA.617-253-5309. more
Ringling Bros. Circus (annual)	10/1 – 10/14	Boston Metro
Everybody loves the circus! I bet it’s great fun. Various. more
Jazzfest Falmouth	10/2 – 10/3	Cape Cod
Yo Daddy-o. It’s jaaaaaaaazz. Falmouth Harbor Band Shell, Falmouth, MA. more
Oktoberfest	10/3	Boston Metro
Although I can’t find this on their website, I’m pretty sure this is happening. German International School Boston, 57 Holton Street, Allston, MA.617 783 2600. more
Baked Fresh at the South Boston Market	10/4	Boston Metro
Let’s not mince words here. This is a merchant event. Still, the SoWa people have good art to sell, and there’ll be live music. 540 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA. more
Halloween
Salem Haunted Happenings Grand Parade	10/1	North Shore
Halloween starts this week! And I bet this is the cutest thing ever! It’s a kids parade, all in costume. Shetland Park to Salem Common, Salem, MA.978-744-0004. more
Recurring
The Donkey Show	8/21 – 10/31	Boston Metro
Like the Matrix, no one can tell you what The Donkey Show is. You have to see it for yourself. But I’ll try. It’s a disco dance party that you can join from the 1970s, but with a mix of modern music, and interspersed with the dance party are scenes from a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. By itself, that would be worth seeing. But then they take it one level higher with special effets, and then one level higher than THAT with a twist ending. I’ve seen a lot of weird events in my time. This one is a must-see! 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA. more
Collings Foundation Living History Weekend	9/28 – 10/7	Metro West
This one’s from the World war II era. They’ll have tons of aircraft and vehicles, and even a flying demo that seems to include a mock battle! Also some WWII veterans will be speaking. No reservation needed. 137 Barton Road, Stow, MA.978-562-9182. more
Carousel on Boston Common	9/8 – 10/20	Boston Metro
Visit the carousel on Boston Common! The merry-go-round is open daily from 11am to 9pm, next to Frog Pond. Only $2. Closing whenever weather gets cold. Boston Common near Frog Pond, Boston, MA. more
Wings of Freedom Tour	9/16 – 10/2	North Shore
This airplane show is all over: 9/8-10 in Lincoln, RI; 9/10-12 in Hyannis, MA; 9/12-15 in Plymouth, MA; 9/15-17 in Plymouth, NH; 9/17-19 in Manchester, NH; 9/19-9/22 in Beverly, MA; 9/22-24 in New Bedford, MA. This one you actually get to fly in an old bomber aircraft and it’s far more expensive. Various Locations. more
Recurring Events
Eastern States Exposition	9/18 – 10/4	Springfield
It’s the 9th largest agricultural fair in the United States, and it shows. Over 1.1M people attend and every kind of hokey “as seen on TV” product is available at the many vendors booths. They’ll have 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. Rt 90W to exit 4. Rt 5S. 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. more
FirstWorksProv	9/24 – 10/15	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 more
Salem Halloween Happenings	10/1 – 10/31	North Shore
Salem is on the commuter rail and there’s no excuse to miss it this time of year. JUST GO. All the attractions are located near the visitors’ center. Avoid anything that looks touristy. I recommend: the Pirate Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, The Peabody Essex Museum, and catch the theatre shows at the House of Seven Gables. Rt 128N to exit 25A, Rt 114E, follow signs to visitor’s center. Park at Visitors Center and walk around, Salem, MA.978-740-1650. more more more more more
New England Fringe Festival	9/24 – 10/4	Boston Metro
Arty but small, this ‘festival’ is a series of dance, theatre, and storytelling performances. I went once and it was creative but not well attended. Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall, 182 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA.978-667-0550. more
Recurring
King Richard’s Faire (Ren Faire)	9/5 – 10/25	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
Travel
Connecticut Renaissance Faire	9/26 – 10/18	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. Weekends & holidays, 10am-6pm. Woodstock, CT.860-923-0454. more
Annual Living History “Time Line	10/3 – 10/4	Vermont
Most re-enactment events focus on one era, of course. This one has everything from Ancient Rome to today!! It may very well be worth the 3 hour drive from Boston, if you make a whole weekend of it. West Dover, VT. more