Septemeber 2009 - Events Calendar

Below is a list of what is going on in Johnny Appleseed Country during the month of September. If you are aware of an event that is going on in our region that is not listed here, email it to us, we will be glad to put it on for all our visitors to see!

3 Thursday, 5-7 pm. Artists’ Reception for “Feline, Canine, All Mine” Rollstone Studios, 633 Main St., Fitchburg. Pet portraits by artist Reverend Blamo. Photographs taken on-site, no appointment necessary. Pet-related items on sale. Hand made cat toys, pet clothing and cat beds. Reception is free. 978-348-ART1.

3 Thursday, at 7 pm. Donald E. Montrym presents “The Battle of the Atlantic - 68 Months in WWII” at the Leominster Public Library, West Street, Leominster, co-sponsored by the Leominster Historical Society and the USS Slater Museum, Albany NY.

3-7 Thursday, 5-9 pm; Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 8 am – 11 pm; Monday, 8 am – 9 pm. The 121st annual Spencer Fair at the Spencer Fairgrounds, one mile north of Rt. 9, Spencer. Friday night features canirval rides only; the remainder of the weekend includes agricultural exhibits and competitions, arts and crafts, live music, lumberjack contest, demolition derby, karaoke contest and more! Fair gates close two hours prior to the close of the fair each night except Friday. Visit spencerfair.org or call 508-885-5814.

4-5 Friday & Saturday, 7:30 pm. Who Killed Doc Robin? at 1794 Meetinghouse, off Route 202, New Salem. The eighth musical written just for the 1794 Meetinghouse. Using a large cast of local people of varying talents and great enthusiasm, the usual suspects will perform in this comedy and the audience will get to decide who dunnit. Adults, $10, children free. Visit 1974meetinghouse.org or call 978-544-5200.Repeats Sept. 11-13.

5-6 Saturday & Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm. Flippo the Clown at Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling. See Flippo the Clown perform magic and more. Free with paid admission, $16.95; additional charge for apples. Call 978-422-6666.

11-13 Friday 5-11 pm, Saturday 9 am - 11 pm, Sunday, 9 am - 5 pm. Sterling Fair at Sterling Airport, 121 Greenland Rd., Sterling. Livestock, crafters, farmers’ market, pony rides, antique & tractor show, fireworks, live entertainment, more. Call 978-422-6741 or visit sterlingfair.com. Free.

11-13 Friday & Saturday, 7:30 pm, Sunday 2 pm. Who Killed Doc Robin? at 1794 Meetinghouse, off Route 202, New Salem. See Sept. 4 listing for details. Adults, $10, children free. Visit 1974meetinghouse.org or call 978-544-5200.

12 Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm. The Gardener’s Emporium at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Hill Road, Boylston. Selection of choice garden plants and garden accessories from select vendors. Fall is a great time to plant! 508-869-6111.

12 Saturday, 9:11 am. 10th Annual Olde Home Day program in Central Park, Clinton, In remembrance of 9/11, the day begins with the flag-raising and a three-division parade honoring police and firefighters; veterans and military; and remembering the past, but looking to the future. Bands, fire engines, military vehicles and more will be in the parade. Family activities will take place throughout the day.

12 Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm. Johnny Appleseed Festival in downtown Leominster. Music, food, vendors, a great family day!

12-13 Saturday & Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm. Pick Your Own Apples at Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling. Visit the orchard and pick apples fresh from the trees. Admission $16.95; additional charges for apples. Call 978-422-6666.

13 Sunday, noon – 6 pm. Wachusett Mountain 12th Annual Music Festival. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for great music on the mountain. Great food, brews and our scenic stage area make this a highlight for all music fans. Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton. Visit www.wachusett.com or call 978-464-2300.

13 Sunday, 4 pm. Historic Piano Concert at the Ashburnham Community Church, Rt. 12, Ashburnham. Diana Fanning performs works by Grieg, Janacek, and Dvorak, played on the Bluthner piano, Leipzip, 1877, Admission $10 adults, children and students free.  Call 978-827-6232. 

15 Tuesday, 6:30 pm. Opening reception for Fiber Art: What to Wear in the Naked City at Campus Center Art Gallery, Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg. Gallery talk with fiber artist Jana Morgan at 6:30 p.m. ASL interpreters will be provided.

16 Wednesday, 5:30 pm. Art & Community at Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg. Meet two members of So Percussion as they begin their year-long residency and exploration of Fitchburg—its landscape and soundscape! Their talk will focus on So Percussion’s process of capturing a city’s unique and universal elements. Additionally, they will share their first day meeting the community and our students who will contribute to Fitchburg’s Imaginary City performance. Tickets are available at the college’s box office at 978-665-3347 or online at fsc.edu/cultural.

16 Wednesday, 7 pm. American Contra Dance Music at Phillipston Historical society, on the Phillipston Common. Music by “NoName,” Peter Travisano and director Lois Somers. Call 978-249-8902. Free admission.

17 Thursday, 5:30-8:30p. Join the Independent Restaurant Group on Thursday, September 17th from 5:30-8:30p at the Colonial Hotel in Gardner for "Taste the Difference: Party with the Independents!"
Sample signature dishes from 11 different restaurants, Leominster High Schools Center for Tecnical Education & Montachusett Regional Techinical High School
Complimentary Wine/Speciality beverage tasting! Entertainment by the Leominster High Jazz Band, Cash bar & raffles
SPEND $35 & GET $55! Tickets to the event are $35. Attendees will receive $5 coupons at each for each participating restaurant. For tickets call (978) 345-2000

19 Saturday, all day. Shirley Town-wide Yard Sale. Any road, Route 2 (exit 36), 2A, 225, Leominster, Lancaster or Townsend, will get you to The Shirley Volunteer Town-Wide Yard Sale. Rain date, at sellers’ option, Sept. 20.

19 Saturday, 11 am–4 pm. Helicopter Rides at Davis Mega Maze, 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling. Take a helicopter ride over the Maze and see the design from above. Admission $16.95 adults (kids 5 – 12, $12.95). Call 978-422-8888.

19 Saturday, 1 pm–3 pm. Historical Tour of Evergreen Cemetery, Main St., Leominster, by Historian Mark Bodanza. Call the Society 978-537-5424 for more information.

19 Saturday, 7:30 pm. Ann Heaton performs at First Church of Christ, Lancaster. Wachusett Music Series is in an intimate coffeehouse setting. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at door. Visit www.wachusettmusic.com.

19 Saturday, 8 pm. Jonathan Edwards Trio performs at Oakmont Regional High School, 9 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham. Singer/songwriter Jonathan Edwards is best known for his hit tune, “Sunshine”. Concert benefits the Ashburnham Conservation Trust. Tickets, $25. Visit ashburnhamconservationtrust.org or call 978-827-6427.

19 Saturday, 6–9 pm. Starry, Starry Night at Davis Mega Maze, 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling. Look at the stars from atop a bridge, or see the constellations through a telescope, or just experience the Maze under the starry sky. Admission $16.95 adults (kids 5 – 12, $12.95). Call 978-422-8888.

19-20 Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm. Autumn Festival of Quilts at North Middlesex Regional High School, Route 119, Townsend. The Squanicook Colonial Quilt Guild presents this quilt show that includes vendors, door prizes, a silent auction, demonstrations, raffle baskets and refreshments. Admission $5. Visit SCQC.org.

19-20 Saturday & Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm. Birds of Prey at Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling. Mass Rehab Birds of Prey Association brings eagles, owls, hawks and more. Free with paid admission into Farmland. Admission $16.95. Call 978-422-6666.

20 Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. Director’s Open House at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Hill Road, Boylston. Celebrate John Trexler’s 25 years as executive director, with many activities for families and visitors of all ages. Free admission. Call 508-869-6111.

20 Sunday, 11 am–3 pm. Church of the Holy Cross Family Festival at the Otter River Sportsman’s Club, Lord Road, Otter River. Raffles, games of chance, face painting, Chicken Barbecue served in the pavilion. Call 978-632-2121.

20 Sunday, 1–4 pm. Kids Day Off at Nashoba Valley Winery, 100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road, Bolton. Apple picking, barbecue and a family concert featuring The Folk Tradition in the orchard. Free admission and parking. Adults can enjoy a microbrew, wine tasting and tour. Call 978-779-5521 or nashobawinery.com.

20 Sunday, 10 am–3 pm. Fall Tori (Scandinavian Market Place) at the Finnish Center at Saima Park, 67 Scott Road, Fitchburg. Scandinavian gifts, hand-made articles, food, candy, Finnish coffee bread, beef stew, ice cream with lingonberry sauce. Free admission.

20 Sunday, 11-2pm. First Annual Kids Fest presented by The Old Mill. $10 per child If purchased or reserved before the 20th
$12 per child at the door: includes Pony Rides, Pick your own pumpkin, Face Painting, Petting Zoo
Rte. 2A, Westminster, MA • 978-874-5941 ALL DAY 1 FREE Kid’s Meal with each Adult Meal purchased

20 Sunday, 2 pm. Annual Paper Airplane Contest at Top Fun Aviation Toy Museum, 21 Prichard Street, Fitchburg. Regular Museum admission ($5 for an adult, which also admits one child free) includes this special program. Bring your own best paper airplane creations or come early and fold them at the Museum, and join in the fun as participants compete in distance and accuracy categories. Prizes are awarded separately to youngsters and adults. 978-342-2809.

20 Sunday, 4 pm. Historic Piano Concert at the Ashburnham Community Church, Rt. 12, Ashburnham. Robert Finley, piano. An afternoon of Chopin, played on the Erard piano, Paris, 1840. Admission $10 adults, children and students free. Call 978-827-6232

21 Monday, 5–8 pm “ARTS A Blaze” Wall of Art at Destare Cafe & Martini Bar, 320 Main Street, Fitchburg. Join the fun and purchase an 8 x 10 original work of art for $40! Choose the art that speaks to you from a huge Wall of Art. Relax and have fun at Fitchburg’s Destare Café and Martini Bar on Main Street, while viewing the choices of art for sale. Proceeds to benefit the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance. 978-348-ART1.

25-27 Friday – Sunday. Cream of the Crop Weekend at Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant St., Leominster. Want a perfect no-fat dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth? Macoun may just be your apple, but, hurry, these special apples are only available in the fall. Macoun was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva in 1932. It’s named for a famous Canadian fruit breeder. For details, call 978-840-FARM.

26 Saturday, 10 am–5 pm. ArtSmart at Ayer Town Hall and Old Washington Street Firehouse, Main Street, Ayer. The Ayer Cultural Council presents a day long event celebrating the arts in our area. Local artisans’ work, local musicians, and activities for all ages. Free admission. Contact Ayer_Cultural_Council@yahoo.com.

26 Saturday, 11 am–4 pm. Church Fair at Holy Spirit Church, Lovewell Street, South Gardner. International foods, games, raffles, barbecue dinner at 5 pm. Call 978-632-3333.

26 Saturday, 3 pm. Improv Workshop: “Outside the box; without a net!” at the Hammond Campus Center, Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg. Chicago City Limits has been delighting NYC audiences with its unique style of improv comedy workshops for over 25 years. They are fun and fast-paced, geared to all ages and all levels of experience. Dive headlong into the workshop and walk out with improvisational skills for thinking—and acting—more quickly on your feet. Tickets $10. Call (978) 665-3347 or visit fsc.edu/cultural.

26 Saturday. Oktoberfest in downtown Gardner. Day-long annual Party in the Street at the Gardner Ale House on Main Street. German beer and food, live music.

26 Saturday, 8 pm. Chicago City Limits at Fitchburg State College, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg. The Chicago City Limits touring company, often called “The perfect masters of improvisation,” has thrilled audiences of all ages for nearly thirty years with a unique style of improv comedy. From performances on Comedy Central, to PBS, to the Today Show, no two shows are alike. Tickets $25; call 978-665-3347.

26-27 Saturday, 10 am–10 pm, Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. Ferncol Fair at the Templeton Developmental Center, Freight Shed Road, Baldwinville. The 47th annual fair features live music, entertainment, activities for adults and children, home-made clam chowder, agricultural exhibits and demonstrations, antique care show, Native American pow-wow, raffles, fresh produce from the farm, kids’ corner with rides, storyteller and more. Fireworks at 9:15 pm on Saturday. $5 parking fee is good for one re-entry over the weekend and a free door-prize raffle. Call 978-939-2161 days.

26-27 Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. 19th Annual KidsFest at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton. Two days of music, food, and fun! Enjoy tons of interactive games, lively performances and favorite walk-around characters. Enjoy the barbecue and food tents. View the fall foliage from the SkyRide! Visit www.wachusett.com or call 978-464-2300.

27 Sunday, 2 pm. Classic Autos at Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant St., Leominster. Mid-State Antique Auto Club (www.midstateaac.org) welcomes owners of classic and antique vehicles to put their vehicles on display.

27 Sunday, 4 pm. Historic Piano Concert at the Ashburnham Community Church, Rt. 12, Ashburnham. Monica Jakuc, piano, Lisa Rautenberg, violin and R.J. Kelley, natural horn. Brahms’ Horn Trio, and Brahms’ Violin/Piano Sonata in d, played on the Streicher piano, Vienna, 1868. Admission $10 adults, children and students free. Call 978-827-6232.