Sep 29 – Oct 5, 2010: Canobie Lake Park, Moonlight Corn Maze, Steam Engines, Mercedes, Kerouac, Dr. Horrible, Ig Nobels, and Fall Fests!

09/28/10 by Johnny Monsarrat

I’ve gotten invited to a press event at Pioneer Village, the live re-enactment center in Salem, which is doing a Halloween special event, Saturday October 2nd in the evening. It’s later than the commuter rail runs, so if any one or two people with a car would like to go, email me at johnny@eventsinsider.com. Also send feedback and event ideas. Oh, also Halloween Attractions get going this week — I track 82 of them! So let me know if you’d like to provide a ride and have me swing some free tix to that, too. I needs me some haunted houses.

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-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Free Tickets to Canobie Lake Park & more		Fri 10/1 – Sun 10/31	Boston Metro
This week, you missed Conviction with Sam Rockwell doing a Q&A because you’re not on the Facebook Group, but you can join by clicking this link. However, it’s not too late to win Canobie Lake Park tickets — I’ll have more every week through October, while they have Octoberfest and Screeemfest. And win tickets to Let Me In, Thursday at 11:15pm in Somerville; or Life as We Know It, Mon 10/4 in Boston; or Buried, Wed 9/29 at 7:30pm in Boston; The Social Network, Thu 9/30 at 7pm in Boston. Various. more
Terrorthon & J. Cannibal’s Feast of Flesh		Fri 9/24 – Sat 10/2	Boston Metro
I’m a big fan of the horror-themed Feast of Flesh festival, and after running all week it ends Saturday with a live music, costume competition, zombie apocalypse finale movie. Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA. more
Mercedes Day at Larz Anderson Museum		Sun 10/3	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
Annual Yankee Steam-Up		Sat 10/2	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. 8am-4pm. New England Wireless and Steam Museum, 1300 Frenchtown Rd., East Greenwich, RI.401-885-0545. more
Annual Roslindale Day Parade		Sun 10/3	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”. They have a fundraiser where every dollra raised is a vote to who gets to play the “Mayor” in the parade! A road race starts at 12:15pm, then the parade at 1pm. Roslindale, MA.617-327-4886. more
Moonlight Mazing at Davis Farmland		Sat 10/2	Worcester
The fantastic corn maze at Davis Farmland is open at night! 2010; 6-10pm. It’s a must see. 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA.978-422-8888. more
Lowell Celebrates Kerouac		Thu 9/30 – Sun 10/3	Northern Mass
Lowell is a city that tries extra hard to bring in tourists (Salem and Quincy are others) 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, road race, and commentary on Jack Kerouac. Lowell, MA. more
Topsfield Fair		Fri 10/1 – Mon 10/11	North Shore
The Topsfield Fair is the largest and best of Massachusetts agricultural fairs, with a giant pumpkin contest, a blacksmith shop, a cider mill, parades, and a 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. AAA discount. Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield, MA. more
Company of the Wolfe Argent at Higgins Armory		Sat 10/2	Worcester
The Higgins Armory is an entire museum in a real castle, devoted to medeival suits of armor. This weekend they’ll have 15th century military re-enactors. 100 Barber Ave, Worcester, MA. more
Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog		Sat 10/2	Worcester
You know how people act out Rocky Horror live while the movie plays? Now they’re doing it for Dr. Horrible and I assume you can sing along as well. Friendly Neighborhood Comics, 191 Mechanic St, Bellingham, MA.508-966-2275. more
Somerville Oktoberfest		Sun 10/3	Boston Metro
I sort of don’t get Oktoberfest. German music, food, and beer. Lots of beer. Does that make a festival? At Red Bones is does! Yum! They serve BBQ. 12-6pm. 55 Chester St, Somerville, MA. more
Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony & Lectures		Thu 9/30	Boston Metro
I still sort of love the Ig Nobels, the phony comic “awards” given to real scientists doing bizarre and unintuitive research. It really is a high school production though, despite being at Harvard and broadcast on National Public Radio. Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more
Free Walking Tour at Arnold Arboretum		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	Boston Metro
Perhaps this other Harvard event, which is outdoors, might suit you better. It’s fall foliage season! And the Arnold Arboretum holds regular free guided tours. Sat 10:30am, Sun 1pm. Arnold Arboretum, Hunnewell Building Lawn, Boston, MA. more
Roxbury Open Studios		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	Boston Metro
Nearby Roxbury is having their open studios. 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
Maynard Fest		Sat 10/2	Metro West
Maynard steps forward and dominates the region with its own festial, the largest harvest fest in the area. Magic pumpkin painting, and the usual street vendors are pretty ordinary, but they end with fireworks! Maynard, MA. more
North Adams Fall Foliage Parade		Sun 10/3	Western Mass
Speaking of fall foliage, here’s an excuse to head to Western Massachusetts to North Adams, where you can see the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). 1pm. Downtown, North Adams, MA. more
Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	Western Mass
Also in the Berkshires, they claim this is their longest-running and best-known community event, with 15,000 attending. 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
Crestfallen – Society for Creative Anachronism		Sat 10/2	Western Mass
The Society for Creative Anachronism recreates medeival times, but they also have fun beating each other with soft weapons. This festival seems to be more of the latter, but they have so few close to Boston I thought I’d list it. Gray’s Sugarhouse, 38 Barnes Rd, Ashfield, MA. more
Lumberjack Competitions & Festival		Sun 10/3	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
Harvest Moon Festival at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum		Sun 10/3	New Hampshire
I’ve been to this museum and, well, it is small. Don’t expect more than a few dozen people to attend this festival. But the place is very genuine and worth a stopover if you’re on your way to or from the White Mountains, another great place to go for fall foliage! Warner, NH.603-456-2600. more
Star Gazing		Fri 10/1	Newport Area
While you’re outdoors you might as well use a telescope. As always with telescope events, call ahead to ensure good weather. FREE. 7pm. Westport Town Farm, Westport, MA. more
Free Star Parties		Sun 10/3	Southeast Mass
Here’s another one. Borrow a telescope and get a guided tour of the sky. Moose Hill, 293 Moose Hill St, Sharon, MA. more
AstroAssembly		Fri 10/1 – Sat 10/2	Rhode Island
And this one’s all weekend and is the biggest event of the year for this astronomy club. Seagrave Memorial Observatory,47 Peeptoad Rd, North Scituate, RI. more
Fort Adams in the Fall Car Festival		Sun 10/3	Rhode Island
Also in Rhode Island, zip down to Newport and see the historic mansions and the historic cars at this seaside old-timey fort park. Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI.401-841-0707. more
Two Geeks Are Better Than One		Mon 10/4	Boston Metro
Let’s face it. They aren’t making Star Wars movies anymore. But geeks now have their own book! It’s called Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms, and if you are a roleplayer attend this two-fer event and meet the author and also the author of My Best Friend Is a Wookiee. All taking place at a local roleplaying center and bookstore. Pandemonium Books, 4 Pleasant St., Cambridge, MA. more
Also Fun
Drag Bingo at BU		Fri 10/1	Boston Metro
Also under the WTF category, this is a burlesque performance but also a bingo game? Basement of student center. Probably 8pm-12am. BU Central, 775 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA. more
Changing of the Guards at Faneuil Hall Marketplace		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	Boston Metro
Boston’s tourist mecca — Fanueil Hall, a place that locals should never go for shopping, has a “changing of the guard” historical re-enactment event. They don’t just change places and call it an event. The re-enactors bring live music and answer questions from the crowd. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA. more
Evening Walk at the BNC		Fri 10/1	Boston Metro
I know it seems like a lot, but I only bring you the outstanding government park events, like this one that’s at night and close to the city. 6pm. Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill St, Mattapan, MA.617-983-8500. more
Franklin Park Fall Forest Festival		Sat 10/2	Boston Metro
This festival looks ordinary, but at least there’s a park to explore. Franklin Park, Boston, MA. more
Harvest Festival and Perennial Divide		Sat 10/2	Boston Metro
My first thought seeing this event was, they have events in Mattapan? And greenery? And I almost didn’t list it but I noticed they’ll have a *bee-keeping* demonstration. OoOoo!! 2009: 10am-2pm. BNAN’s City Natives Nursery, 30 Edgewater Drive, Mattapan, MA. more
Fall Campfire at Constitution Beach		Fri 10/1	Boston Metro
I haven’t had a campfire in ages! This one comes with marshmallows and hot chocolate. What about ghost stories? Constitution Beach, Zero Barnes Avenue, Boston, MA.781-485-2803, ext. 109. more
Weir River Farm Fall Festival		Sat 10/2	South Shore
It’s Fall. Let’s have a festival. The typical farm stuff like live music, animals, pony rides, and vendors. 10am-2pm. Weir River Farm, Hingham, MA. more
New Bedford Open Studios		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	Southeast Mass
New Bedford is also having an open studios, and you can check out the Whaling Museum while you’re there. New Bedford, MA. more
NRT Harvest and Crafts Fair		Sun 10/3	Southeast Mass
Here’s a tiny festival that seems to only feature vendors and unspecificed “kids’ activities” and “entertainment”. Easton, MA. more
Hopkinton Carnival on the Common		Sat 10/2	Metro West
This one comes with a dunk tank, a “pedestal joust”, and a velcro wall. Town Common, Hopkinton, MA. more
Barnstable County Harvest Festival		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	Cape Cod
This one looks bigger but less of a carnival. Rain or shine, they’ll have live music, hayrides, and the usual vendors selling handcrafted stuff. County Fairgrounds, Rt 151, East Falmouth, MA.508-563-3200. more
Eastern States Exposition		Fri 9/17 – Sun 10/3	Springfield
New England’s largest agricultural fair continues, with hokey vendors, 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, and possibly tethered balloon rides. Rt 90W to exit 4. Rt 5S. 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. more
North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	North Shore
This one’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
Salem Halloween Happenings		Fri 10/1 – Sun 10/31	North Shore
Salem is on the commuter rail and there’s no excuse to miss it this time of year. Except perhaps the Salem goodness doesn’t really ramp up until mid-month, so what’s available are the year-round attractions, most of which are pretty touristy and should be avoided. However, I recommend the Pirate Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, and the Peabody Essex Museum. 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
Harvest Festival at The Growing Center		Sat 10/2	Boston Metro
Although small, this harvest fest will have cider making, pumpkin decorating, music, and games. Rain date the next day. Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Avenue, Somerville, MA. more
Block Island Birding Weekend		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	Newport Area
It’s educational but expensive: the Audubon Society will lead field trips for both newbie and expert bird-watchers. It lasts all weekend and they want $475. Yikes! Block Island, RI. more
Norman Bird Sanctuary Annual Harvest Fair		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	Rhode Island
This bird event is probably free and therefore better, and 13,000 attend. 10am-5pm. Animals, vendors, hay rides, and what the heck happens at the “Mud Pit”? 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown, RI.401-846-2577 ext.16. more
FirstWorksProv		Sat 9/25 – Sat 11/13	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
National Solar Homes Tour		Sat 10/2	Rhode Island
This isn’t a festival either, but it sounds like a really interesting tour of the green buildings of the future. Center for Sustainable Living, 451 Hammet Rd, Coventry, RI. more
Green Buildings Open House		Sat 10/2	Boston Metro
And a ton of private homes with green technology are 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
World’s Championship Chili Cookoff		Fri 10/1 – Sun 10/3	New Hampshire
Do I want chili? Do I? Yes! Yes I do want chili! How about you? Veterans Park, Manchester, NH. more
Boston Fall Boat Show		Fri 10/1 – Sun 10/3	Boston Metro
This show is only $10 and even if you don’t own a boat, if you are curious, you can see tons of vendors or attend a seminar. Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA. more
Boston Palestine Film Festival		Fri 10/1 – Sun 10/10	Boston Metro
This film festival seems to truly be a festival, not just a series of screenings. They’ll have an opening reception and a few filmmakers appearing to present some of the showings. Various, Boston, MA. more
United Nations Association Film Festival		Fri 9/24 – Sat 10/2	Boston Metro
I admit it — indie films scare me. Some are great and some are way too cerebral or niche in their appeal. Anyway, here are some films from around the world. They will have a reception though and a couple of filmmaker talks, making this a real festival. Brattle Theatre & Kennedy School of Gov’t, Cambridge, MA. more
Juvenile Diabetes Walk		Sat 10/2	Boston Metro
I don’t know why I list charity walks. There are a ton of them and they all sort of seem generic. But at least it’s outdoors and I’m sure a nice excuse to walk and help people. Esplanade, Boston, MA. more
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk		Sun 10/3	Boston Metro
This would be my pick, though, because it involves two of my favorite topics. Esplanade, Boston, MA. more
Lung Bike Ride		Fri 10/1 – Sun 10/3	South Shore
Why make strides when you can make cycles? Goes from Plymouth to Provincetown. Plymouth, MA. more
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. more
Performance
Poe: Outdoor Theatre		Sat 9/18 – Sun 10/3	North Shore
Halloween is starting! (Although today I saw the first Xmas display in a retail store so I guess that’s starting too! And it’s still September!!) Based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, these are spooky skits and plays with puppetry and movement by a theatre troupe. Rain date: following weekend. Maudslay State Park, Newburyport, MA.978-465-2572. more
Poe: a fever dream		Fri 10/1 – Sat 10/16	Boston Metro
Although indoors, I don’t doubt that this will be spooky and deliciously gruesome, too! Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St, Boston, MA. more
Perfect Harmony		Thu 9/9 – Sun 10/3	Boston Metro
I’ve seen this stunning musical, where high school teams compete for the a capella nationals. It’s both hilarious and dramatic enough to make you cry. Um, the guy next to me was crying, I mean. It’s lewd like a lot of comedy these days, but in a great way, and the songs and plot twists build the whole thing to a higher level. You really need to check it out!! Stoneham Theatre, Stoneham, MA. more
Bittersweet Midnight		Thu 9/30 – Sat 10/16	North Shore
This is a one-woman show by a storyteller who discusses women in history and… it’s unclear what but they call it “tales of women wandering the dark side”, so it probably has a Halloween theme. STC Theater, 90 Lafayette St, Salem, MA. more
Travel
King Arthur’s Fall Harvest Faire		Sat 9/25 – Sun 10/24	Connecticut
I’ve heard that this renaissance faire is better and bigger than King Richard’s, 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
New England Atlatl Day		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	Connecticut
How crazy is this? The atlatl is an ancient hunting spear and they have a competition this weekend. Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, CT. more
Tapping Into Twain Oktoberfest		Fri 10/1	Connecticut
I feel physicall ill with regret that we — all of us — missed the re-enactment of Mark Twain’s funeral. But hey, you can still catch this event that seems to focus on beer. Oy. Is that all you got, show up and get buzzed? 5:30-9:30pm. 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT.860-247-0998. more
St Andrew’s Society of CT Highland Games Fairgrounds Goshen, CT		Sat 10/2	Connecticut
I love scottish festivals! These people know how to party! This one has dancing, music, some of which is participatory, sheepherding, and the usual crazy highland games, like throwing large stones. Don’t you guys have any atlatls? Goshen Fairgrounds, Goshen, CT. more
International Time Line Event		Sat 10/2 – Sun 10/3	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

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