Sep 8-15, 2010: Caribbean, Brazilian, Greek, Auto, & Kite Fests, Concord’s Bday, Tons of Music & Arts Fests, Mud Bowl, & Free Zoo Day

This is it! Outdoor events continue through December, but the main season for oudoor movies, theatre, and music is coming to an end. Get out and see some!

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-Johnny


The Week in Weird
Perfect Harmony – Free ticket Thu 9/9 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
If you’re a fan of this blog you’ll know that I’ve got a soft spot for a capella. And now here’s a musical based on an a capella contest. I’m going as “press” and have a free ticket if someone would like to come along. I got some free movie tickets this week, too, but it was crap and I don’t pass that along to ya.
Stoneham Theatre, Stoneham, MA.

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Cambridge Carnival Internationale Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
It’s still summer and the weird event of the week is Carnival! They say 150,000 will attend. 12-7pm.
Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA.617-492-2518.

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Brazilian Independence Day Festival Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
The Brazilians want a festival too! This one has a parade, music, and the usual kids stuff like balloon animals. It’s free!
DCR Herter Park, 1175 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA.

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Boston Arts Festival Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
The Boston Arts Festival is sort of a “preview” of the music and theatre season. It starts with music and short theatre performances on just 2 stages, but adds in glassblowing, steel drums, Blue Man Group, and even poetry reading.
Christopher Columbus Park, Boston, MA.617-635-3245.

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Life is Good Festival Sat 9/11 – Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
I would recommend this event instead, from the people with the t-shirts. They’ll have live music, a sack race, obstacle course, a rock climbing wall, a dog acrobatics show, and a seed spitting contest.
Prowse Farm, Canton, MA.

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Celebrate 375 in Concord Sat 9/11 – Sun 9/12 Metro West
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Concord is having a birthday, with a parade Saturday at 10am, a concert, and a ball at 7:30pm. Then Sunday, a concert and fireworks.
Concord, MA.

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Captain David Brown`s Concord Minute Company Sat 9/11 – Sun 9/12 Metro West
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Meanwhile, an “encampment” of re-enactors basically means guys in costume bring tents and pretend to be old-timey people. These ones are minute men, which I’m pretty sure refers to bedroom performance.
North Bridge, Concord, MA.

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European Motorcycle Day at Larz Anderson Museum Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
The season of lawn car shows won’t last forever. Here’s the next one!
15 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.617-522-6547.

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Acton Day Sun 9/12 Metro West
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Acton’s annual festival is happening too, but I couldn’t find a description. It looks like they’ll have music, a moonbounce, and some kind of “animal adventures”. Please let this be good.
NARA Park, Acton, MA.978-264-9608.

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Clinton Olde Home Day Fri 9/10 – Sat 9/11 Worcester
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Also out west, this is the perfect New England home town experience, complete with a demo of crash test dummies, a pie-eating contest, martial arts, live music, arts & crafts, step dancers, you name it. This is VERY close to Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA.
Central Park, Church St at Union St, Clinton, MA.978-365-6723.

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Chelsea Kite Day Sat 9/11 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Summer’s not going to last much longer! Get OUTDOORS and enjoy it! I’m sure the Chelsea Kite Festival will be worth seeing. 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.

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Northampton Cooperative Bank Hot Air Balloon Festival & Car Show Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 Western Mass
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Balloons and a car show… and these aren’t just tethered balloon rides, I think! I want to go!! :).
Look Memorial Park, 300 North Main St, Florence, MA.413.584.5457.

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Audubon Society – Raptor Weekend Sat 9/11 – Sun 9/12 Rhode Island
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Finally! A good photo from ASRI. It’s the largest show of eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls in New England.
Audubon Center, 1401 Hope Street (Route 114), Bristol, RI.401-245-7500.

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Somerville Greek and Music Festival Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Now for a few small little festivals that warm the heart. I love to go out and see people who are enthusiasts, and small settings can bring you closer to their culture. The Somerville Greek and Music Festival has been well-advertised and seems like fun.
Church, 29 Central Street, Somerville, MA.617-625-2222.

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Greek Fest Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Another small Greek festival. I wonder if these guys know they are competing with each other. Of course, you could go to both!
Brookline, MA.

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Festival of the Healing Saints Cosmas and Damian Sat 9/11 – Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
It’s Cambridge vs. Somerville and Brookline! Italian vs. Greek! Maybe you could sneak into both festivals. This one features the healing saints, so there might be a lot of sick people there, I dunno. Wear a mask and try not to touch anyone. They’ll have a small carnival and a parade Sunday. Personally I would pick Somerville this time.
Warren St at Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA.

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Armenian Street Fair & Festival Sat 9/11 – Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
There aren’t many Armenian events in New England. This one is bound to be unique, the uniquest.
Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, 47 Nichols Ave, Watertown, MA.617-926-6067.

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Cast of TV’s “Deadliest Catch” Visits Sat 9/11 Lowell
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
How crazy is this? If you love this TV show where they play up the dangers of crab fishing, you can see them live for just $30.
Lowell Auditorium, Lowell, MA.

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Annual Banjo & Fiddle Contests Sat 9/11 Lowell
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
I think I’d rather see this music contest! I love banjos!
Boarding House Park, Lowell, MA.978-970-5028.

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Marini Farm Corn Maze Sat 9/11 – Sun 10/31 North Shore
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Yet another corn maze opens this week. This one seems to be pretty good!
259 Linebrook Road, Ipswich, MA.978 356-0430.

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Annual Seafood Festival at Hampton Beach Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 New Hampshire
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
I generally look down on single-food events, but this one seems to pack a punch and the location is beautiful. As well as the seafood, they’ll have a ton of art vendors, chef demonstrations, two stages for live music, and they’ll have fireworks Saturday and a skydiving performance Sunday.
Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, NH.603-926-8718.

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Grotonfest Fri 9/10 – Sat 9/11 Metro West
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
This festival has the usual live music, artists and vendors, but adds an animal show and fireworks! Yippee!
Legion Common, between Route 119 and Hollis Street, Groton, MA.

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Mud Bowl: World Championships of Mud Football Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 New Hampshire
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
So there’s a “mud parade”, and then… football!
North Conway, NH.603-356-2096.

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Harwich Cranberry Festival / Beach Day Sat 9/11 Cape Cod
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Another nice surprise is this cranberry festival. It’s hard to base an entire festival on cranberries, but they seem to be up for it, including a parade, fireworks, a carnival and a craft show. It’s also a beach festival!
Harwich, MA.

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Also Fun
Massachusetts Day at Southwick’s Zoo Sat 9/11 Southeast Mass
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
What’s better than the largest zoo in New England? Free admission!! Bring a Massachusetts state ID. Bless them for doing it on a Saturday. While you’re out there, check out the Mendon Drive-in Theatre at http://www.mendondrivein.com.
2 Southwick Street, Mendon, MA.800-258-9182.

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Wings of Freedom Tour Wed 9/15 – Mon 9/20 North Shore
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
This traveling show lets you walk through this aircraft for $12, or go for a flight for $425! 9/13-15 Lincoln, RI, 9/15-17 Hyannis, MA, 9/17-20 Beverly, MA, and so forth through 10/1. This one you actually get to fly in an old bomber aircraft and it’s far more expensive.
Various Locations.

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Drummers Call & Evening at the Kiln Sat 9/11 Southeast Mass
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
I’m going to tell you a secret about Sturbridge Village. JUST GO. It doesn’t matter that they’re having hundreds of historical re-enactors come and demonstrate military drumming. The village itself is a marvel, with tons of live actors representing 19th century New Englandy goodness. Just go, for Pete’s sake.
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA.508-347-3362.

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King Richard’s Faire (Ren Faire) Sat 9/4 – Sun 10/24 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.

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CollegeFest Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Every year the vendors who target college students hold a merchant event which I have no idea why anyone would want to attend. Except that they’ll have top music performers, and you’ll pick up $100 or so in free samples if you go. I went last year and grabbed a bunch!
Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St, Boston, MA.

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Free Will: An Open Shakespeare Slam Sat 9/11 Boston Metro
Run by a storytellers’ group, this is a night of comedy, stories, and “spoken word” about the BAHD.
The Burren, 247 Elm St, Somerville, MA.

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Franklin County Fair Thu 9/9 – Sun 9/12 Western Mass
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival here. It’s an agricultural fair!
Fairgrounds, Greenfield, MA.

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Hillsborough County Fair Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 New Hampshire
And here….
Rt 13, New Boston, NH.

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Hebron Harvest Fair Thu 9/9 – Sun 9/12 Connecticut
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
But the Reithoffer show is rarer and much bigger, if you’re willing to travel 2 hours from Boston!
Hebron Lions Fairgrounds, 347 Gilead Street, Hebron, CT.

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Eastham Windmill Weekend Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 Cape Cod
About as far away, and on Cape Cod, this fest comes with a parade and a sand sculpture competition.
Eastham, MA.

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Reading Fall Street Faire Sun 9/12 North Shore
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
This festival has a car show, street performers, a chili contest, and the usual vendors, music, and more vendors.
Reading, MA.

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Wachusett Mountain Music Festival Sun 9/12 Worcester
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
One notch further down the classy-ness pole, this one’s probably good to skip. The problem is, it’s too expensive for an event where the vendors and attendees are sort of “agricultural fair”, complete with racing pigs. However, it’s a beautiful mountain venue, and so much fun to ride the gondola (which costs extra) or go to a hike in the nearby Wachusett Mountain state park (free). While you’re in the area, check out Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA for their petting zoo and corn field maze, http://davisfarmland.com.
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton, MA.978-464-2300.

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Pet Rock Festival Sun 9/12 Worcester
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
This is a benefit for animals, with a bunch of pet competitions, live music, the ubiquitous kids “face painting and unspecified and probably lame crafts”, and a vegetarian food court. The real drawn here is that you can see dogs playing frisbee and baseball!
Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA.508-832-8918.

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Verrill Farm Barbecue Sun 9/12 Metro West
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
This one’s small but good. It’s a farm but it’s in classy Concord, and they’ll have hayrides. And BBQ!! Unfortunately the ponies and clown are just for kids.
11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA.978-369-4494.

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Music Festival at Sweetwilliam Farm Sun 9/12 Worcester
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
This is an outdoor concert series at a farm, where presumably they’ll have animals and fresh veggies.
153 North St., Upton, MA.508-529-2000.

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Charlestown Art in the Park Festival Sat 9/11 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Although outdoors, it seems this is simply art vendors, a small draw kind of festival. Rain date: the next day.
Charlestown, MA.

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Codman Estate Fine Arts and Crafts Festival Sat 9/11 Metro West
This event goes without description, but last year it seemed pretty good. Basically art vendors show up and they call it a festival. Well, at least they’re giving tours of this historic mansion!
36 Codman Road, Lincoln, MA.617-227-3957 X270.

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Pawtucket Arts Fest Sat 9/11 – Sun 9/12 Rhode Island
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
More art is for sale in Pawtucket as part of a larger event.
Slater Memorial Park, 401 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

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Mattoon Street Arts Festival Sat 9/11 – Sun 9/12 Springfield
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
There’s really not much reason to visit Springfield, except for some decent museums, or if you’re on your way to Six Flags New England. But if you’re going to go, why not go now and see a local arts festival?
Mattoon Street, Springfield, MA.413-736-0629.

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Sandwich Glass Museum Glass Show & Sale Sat 9/11 – Sun 9/12 Cape Cod
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
If you like glassblowing, this is the place to be. (Perhaps on your way back from the Heritage Museums & Gardens.) I stopped here once and was given a spontaneous demonstration with no pressure to buy anything. This event will likely be worth a visit.
Sandwich Glass Museum, Sandwich, MA.508-888-0251.

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Applecrest Antique Tractor Show Sun 9/12 New Hampshire
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Tired” of car shows? Try this tractor show. “Tired”… get it? They’re also having an apple harvest festival.
Rt 88, Hampton Falls, NH.603-926-3721.

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Boston Improv Festival Wed 9/8 – Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
My favorite comedy club brings in comedians from all over the nation for this annual fest.
Cambridge, MA.

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USS Constitution Sunset Cruise & Victory Dinner Wed 9/15 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
I went to an event here once and all I can tell you is that the only thing more excruciating than a high school band performance is a high school band performance that, to honor veterans, is done over-the-top seriously without smiles or a sense of pacing. That being said, I’m sure their historic dinner & cruise is lovely.
Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA.617-426-1812.

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BeanTown Jazz Festival Wed 9/15 – Sat 9/25 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Does anyone under 40 care about jazz? The serious part of this festival, which is really a series of performances, is a big street festival on 9/25.
Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA.

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American Heart Walk Sat 9/11 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
If you like hearts, and don’t like heart disease, consider this Yet Another Charity Walk for a really good cause. 1mi, 3mi, or 6mi route along the Charles River.
Hatch Shell, Esplanade, 10 Storrow Drive, Boston, MA.

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Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
It’s yet another charity walk. This time for Cancer, a good cause. Maybe they should merge them all together into one humongous walk on just one day of the year. It runs along the Boston Marathon route. Register ahead of time.
Various, Boston, MA.800-632-3562.

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MSPCA Walk for Animals Sun 9/12 Boston Metro
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
This time animals do the walking! Also events in Springfield and Hyannis.
Boston Common, Boston, MA.

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Gloucester Best Dressed Dog Parade Sun 9/12 North Shore
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
But here the animals are dressed up! Adorable or abusive, you decide!
260 Main St. Gloucester, MA, Gloucester, MA.

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WCPA Poetry Contest Winners’ Reading Sun 9/12 Worcester
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
I’m not sure how much poetry I can sit through without screaming. But if you like this stuff, here’s the best of the best, from Worcester.
Worcester Public Library, Salem Street, Worcester, MA.

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Songfest – Pete Seeger and Songs of Conscience Tue 9/14 Worcester
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Pete Seeger will not be attending, but this is a participatory chorus where you can join the singing of some of his folk songs. 7-9pm. Note: the guy in the photo is Jim Scott, who’s leading the event.
Church, 90 Main St, Worcester, MA.

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Brimfield Antiques Festival (Fall) Tue 9/7 – Sun 9/12 Springfield
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
The antiques festival continues. They’re the largest in New England and I’m sure it’s great if you’re an antique, um, antique collector. Off of Rt 20.
Rt 20 at Rt 19, Brimfield, MA.413-245 3209.

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Travel
Vermont State Fair Fri 9/3 – Sun 9/12 Vermont
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
This festival has a carnival, live music, and lots of agricultural goodness.
175 South Main St, Rutland, VT.

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Connecticut Folk Festival & Green Expo Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 Connecticut
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Yet another music festival… and a lot of vendors crazy with the desire to sell stuff to people who think if they don’t buy they’ll destroy the Earth. Now that’s a sales pitch.
New Haven, CT.

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Danbury Day – 325th Anniversary Celebration Sun 9/12 Connecticut
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
Danbury’s having an anniversary, just like Concord. Maybe they should compete? They’ll have a parade and fireworks — too bad they’re nearly 3 hours’ drive from Boston.
Danbury, CT.

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Eastport Pirate Festival Fri 9/10 – Sun 9/12 Maine
Boston's Events Insider, by Johnny Monsarrat
The good news: there’s a pirate festival! The bad news: it’s more than a 6 hour drive from Boston.
Eastport, ME.

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Outdoor Theatre & Events Wed 9/8 Thu 9/9 Fri 9/10 Sat 9/11 Sun 9/12 Mon 9/13 Tue 9/14 Wed 9/15
Boston Metro Cambridge, MA Sunday Games @ Charles River Conservancy: 2010: Sundays 2-5pm. Free games & athletic activities like frisbee, horseshoes, hula hoops, tug-o-war, sack races.
By the Weeks Footbridge, near JFK Street
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Metro West Acton, MA Acton NARA Park Concerts & Theatre: Various times & events.
Nara Park
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New Hampshire Hampton Beach, NH Fireworks @ Hampton Beach: Every Wednesday, plus holidays.
22 C Street, 603-926-8717.
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Outdoor Movies Wed 9/8 Thu 9/9 Fri 9/10 Sat 9/11 Sun 9/12 Mon 9/13 Tue 9/14 Wed 9/15
Boston Metro Somerville, MA International Movie Nights in East Somerville: 2010: 8pm.
parking lot behind the old fire station, 165 Broadway, 617.623.3869.
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Cape Cod Sandwich, MA Family Movie Night Under the Stars: 2010: Starts at 7:15pm. Also Sep 24.
Heritage Museums & Gardens
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Connecticut New London, CT Summer Flickers: 2010: 8pm.
Hygenic Art Park
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Rhode Island Providence, RI Movies on the Block: 2010: Dusk. And 9/23 and 9/30.
Westminster St at Union St
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Outdoor Music Wed 9/8 Thu 9/9 Fri 9/10 Sat 9/11 Sun 9/12 Mon 9/13 Tue 9/14 Wed 9/15
Boston Metro Cambridge, MA Club Passim Summer Concert Series: 2010: Thu 12-1pm.
47 Palmer St.
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Boston Metro Cambridge, MA Kendall Square Concert Series: Sponsored by the Kendall Square Corporation. 2010: 12-1:30pm.
300 Athenaeum Street, 617 577-7354.
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Metro West Acton, MA Acton NARA Park Concerts & Theatre: Various times & events.
Nara Park
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North Shore Lowell, MA Lowell Summer Music Series: 2010: Music 7:30pm-10pm, and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night on Aug 29.
Boarding House Park
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Southeast Mass Dartmouth, MA Summer Concert Series at Dartmouth: 2010: 6:30-8:30pm. Also 9/22 and 9/29. Each rain date next day.
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Southeast Mass New Bedford, MA City Celebrates Summer Thursdays: Free. 2010: 5-9pm?
Downtown area, 508-996-8253 x205.
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Western Mass Greenfield, MA Coop Concerts & More: Various times.
Greenfield Energy Park, 413-774-9949.
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Worcester Upton, MA Sweet Summer Nights Music Series: 2010: 7-8:30pm and continues through the end of October. Rain or shine.
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Connecticut Barkhamstead, CT Summer Series at Barkhamstead: 2010: 2-4pm.
The Green or The Courtyard, Town Center
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