Sat. March 26 and Sun. March 27 Family Fun in Massachusetts

What's everyone doing this weekend with the "fam"? Here are some ideas...

baystateparent

Saturday 26

Debbie & Friends Special DVD Release Concert. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10:30 a.m. A$10, C$8. regenttheatre.com.

Book, Video, Audio Sale. Fountain of Blessing Ministry at People's Church
56 S. Main St., Ashburnham. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Thousand of books, videos, CDs and more for sale to benefit local food pantries. .25 each or $2 a bag. 978-297-1894, peopleschurchhome.com.

Gardening Book Swap. Tower Hill Botanic Garden,  11 French Dr., Boylston. 1 – 4 p .m. Bring your gardening books and journals in good condition and choose a few new ones you can use. Admission fees apply: towerhillbg.org.

For Parents Puppet Slam. The Puppet Showplace Theatre, Brookline. 8 p.m. Your opportunity to witness some of the most out-there, wild, and wildly creative puppetry for adults and teenage audiences anywhere. An amazing artistic achievements plus there are cookies and brownies! $15 general admission; $13 St.  617-731-6400, puppetshowplace.org.


30th Annual Duxbury Spring Antique Show. Duxbury High School. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Features 50 quality dealers sponsored by the Duxbury Boosters with all proceeds to go to Duxbury High School athletics. Home baked goods table. Luncheon available. A$7. Duxburyboosters.org. Also Sun., March 27, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Grafton Fine Arts and Music Festival. Grafton Municipal Center
30 Providence Rd., Grafton. Friday, 7 – 9 p.m plus artists reception & awards on Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; performances & exhibits on Sunday, 12 - 4 p.m. Hundreds of pieces of art  judged by a prestigious panel of judges on display. Children's art activities and artist demonstartions. A$3, C (ages 5+) $3.graftonartsfestival.org. 


Maynard Family Association’s Kid Gear Tag Sale. Boys and Girls Club
212 Great Rd., Maynard. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Done with all the baby clothes?  Or maybe it’s time to weed through your children’s books and toys.  Are you looking for some sports equipment for your ever-growing little one? Come shop or sell your goods. Spots are $20NM. To reserve a spot, contact Alannah Gustavson at tagsale@maynardfam.org or visit maynardfam.org.




FREE Crafts for Kids. Lakeshore Learning Crafts, Newton and Saugus. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Held every Saturday for kids ages 3 and up. lakeshorelearning.com.



Magnet Play. Providence Children's Museum, 100 South St.,Providence, RI. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Kids investigate the playful power of magnetism by experimenting and sculpting with a marvelous array of magnets.  Ages 3 – 11. $8.50pp. 401-273-5437,  childrenmuseum.org. Also March 27.




101 Dalmatians.  Apple Tree Arts at Southgate Retirement Home, 30 Julio Dr., Shrewsbury. Fri. March 25 and Sat. March 26 at 7 p.m. Also Sun. March 27 at 2 p.m.
Featuring young students from grades two to five. A$8, Sr.$5, C $5, C under 4, FREE. 508-839-4286, appletreearts.org.

Sunday 27


Rube Goldberg Design Challenge with Olin College! The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. Drop-in 1 to 4 p.m. Science Discovery
Can you engineer and build a complex machine to plant and water a seed? The Olin College Engineering Discovery team thinks you can!  Join them to design and test a multi-step fun/silly solution! Also discover how the properties of sand, soil, and water behave in surprising and unexpected ways when they are at the nano scale during this NanoDays program.
$10.50pp.  978-264-4200, discoverymuseums.org.

Talking about Words and Pictures with Mo Willems. Eric Carle Picture Book Art Museum, Amherst. 11:30 a.m.  Join The Carle’s bookseller, blogger, and book-lover, Andy Laties as he engages picture book artists and authors in conversation about their beginnings and their books. carlemuseum.org.


Grafton Fine Arts and Music Festival. Grafton Municipal Center
30 Providence Rd., Grafton. See  March 27 for details.

FREE Family Music Makers Jam! Little Bits Toys, 21 Main St. Natick. 3 p.m. Sing, dance and play instruments with Miss Carrie from Family Music Makers! Enjoy an engaging hour of hands-on musical activities designed to delight the whole family! 781-235-3210,  linx-usa.com

101 Dalmatians.  Shrewsbury. See March 27  listing for details.

Family Fun Day. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 1 – 4:30 p.m. All ages. Explore the many amazing works of art on view in the newly reopened “Art Since the Mid-20th Century” Galleries. Art-making activities, games, performances from the Worcester Children's Chorus and much more! C under 17 FREE. worcesterart.org.

Wednesday, March 23: Massachusetts Fun for Kids

Plan your day tomorrow, Wednesday, March 23rd. Choose from puppet shows, story times, nature walks and more!

MAYNARD: Noon. Story Time with Private David Ferguson at Jam Time, a new indoor playground in Maynard.  Meet Private David Ferguson from the Army National Guard as he reads a story in his military attire and talks about serving our country. $10. www.jamtime.com.

WINCHESTER: 3:45 p.m. Ballet and Books for dancers and story lovers will be held at the Winchester Library. David Ira Rottenberg will read his new picture book, Gwendolyn, the Graceful Pig, while members of the Ballet Arts Centre of Winchester perform a mime/dance of the story and provide a mini-dance lesson. Mr. Rottenberg will also sign copies of his book. FREE 781-721-7171, www.cedarcrestbooks.com.

Also listed in our print calendar for Wednesday, March 23rd: 

Dr. Doohickey's Monster Machine by Brad Shur. Puppet Showplace Theatre, Brookline. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 4+. Hand and rod  puppets!  Tickets usually $10pp. www.puppetshowplace.org.

Take A Walk Winter Outdoor Activity. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. Through March 31st. Mon. - Fri., 10 a.m - 3 p.m.; Sat., 12 to 3 p.m. With activity backpacks (appropriate for ages 3-9) children and accompanying adults explore the 45-acre estate and farm. $5 rental per backpack. Snowshoes also available in adult and child sizes, rental $5. Complimentary hot cocoa served. $5 per snowshoes rental or backpack. 781-894-2798, www.goreplace.org.

FOR EXPECTANT AND NEW MOMS: 
Wednesday, March 23, 7 p.m.
Founder of Boston Baby Nurses and author of the newly released, The Baby Nurse Bible, Carole Kramer Arsenault, RN, IBCLC is coming to Magic Beans, Brookline, to share her extensive knoweldge with new and expecting parents. Her Baby Basics talk will cover all the basics new parents need to know about newborn babies and baby care. She'll cover a wide range of topics including setting up routines, developmental milestones, creating time for you as a mother, how new dad's can help nursing tips, and more. She will give an hour long presentation and accept Q&A.
Her new book will be available for purchase and Magic Beans is raffling off a Mobywrap gift package!

Carole is featured in baystateparent's March baby issue: http://www.baystateparent.com/news/2011-03-01/Feature_Articles/TAKEGOODCARE.html

Teen Community Service Fair at the Chestnut Hill Mall Sun., Feb. 13

bsp received this press release about teen volunteering opportunities. The Community Service Fair is coming this weekend, Sunday, Feb. 13th, at the  Chestnut Hill Farm. 

baystateparent

TeenLife Media to Host Fourth Annual Community Service Fair for Teens

February 13^th Event Will Feature More than 40 Boston Area Non-Profits Willing to Engage Teen Volunteers

Cambridge, Mass. – January 10, 2011 – From increased self-esteem to acquiring valuable job skills, teens today are experiencing the benefits of volunteerism.  Many middle and high school students in Greater Boston are required or strongly encouraged to spend a certain number of hours outside of school volunteering for non-profits. However, many students do not know where or how to find meaningful opportunities that match with their needs and interests, and most parents and educators do not have the time or the resources to keep up with all of the interesting options.

On February 13, 2011, TeenLife Media will bring together more than 40 local non-profit organizations willing to engage teen volunteers for the 4^th Annual TeenLife Community Service Fair.

The annual event will take place at the Mall at Chestnut Hill from 12 noon to 4 pm.  This free event will bring together more than 1000 students, parents and teachers from more than 150 public and private schools across Greater Boston with non-profit organizations, sponsors and supporting exhibitors.

“By engaging in volunteer work, teens have an opportunity to learn experientially.  They discover where their passions lie while undertaking meaningful work,” said Marie Schwartz, president and founder of TeenLife.  “This allows them to make more informed choices about college courses and career options as they continue on in life.” 

TeenLife is a unique resource that helps families and schools to connect students to all sorts of meaningful educational and experiential learning opportunities. The first TeenLife Community Service Fair, modeled after similar events held by colleges for incoming students, was held in the winter of 2008 to help families and educators find volunteer opportunities for teens. It has quickly established itself as a “go-to” event in the area, attracting hundreds of students, parents, and educators annually from a wide variety of private, public, and parochial middle and high schools.

Exhibiting non-profits at the 2011 fair will include The American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, Boston Cares, Challenge Unlimited, Combined Jewish Philanthropies,           Cradles to Crayons, DoSomething.org, The Food Project, Hale Reservation, Horizons for Homeless Children, New England Aquarium, People Making a Difference,                       Roots & Shoots, Tenacity, United Way, and many others.

“In the past two years, our presence at the TeenLife Community Service Fair has resulted in numerous school group visits, new staff and volunteers for our summer programs and a host of inquiries from individuals who want to know how they can help,” said Jay Walsh, environmental resource manager at Hale Reservation.  “We are looking forward to being part of this year’s event and continuing the groundswell of results.”

As part of the event, Bristol Recording & Voice Studios will host a high school a cappella Sing Off at the Fair. Pitch Slapped, a coed a cappella group representing the Berklee College of Music on NBC's hit show The Sing Off, will also make a special guest appearance. Participating high schools include: Wayland High School, Milton Academy, Nobles and Greenough, Brookline High School, and Winchester High School.

Sponsors of the 2011 Community Service Fair include American Camp Association, Bristol Recording & Voice Studios, Internship Connection, Maine Arts Camp, Middlebury Monterey Language Academy, Princeton Review, REI, United Planet, Veritas Tutors, and Visions Service Adventures.  High School Quiz Show on WGBH-TV and WickedLocal.com are the media sponsors and the Mall at Chestnut Hill is the venue sponsor.

“We look forward to hosting the fourth annual Community Service Fair again this year at the Mall at Chestnut Hill,” said Laurel Sibert, regional vice president of marketing, Simon Malls in New England. “The event provides a wonderful forum for young teens to engage with non-profit organizations, and we are thrilled to be able to provide a venue to support this volunteerism,” she added.

The 2011 TeenLife Guide to Community Service, generously sponsored by global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, will be distributed for free to all attendees at the Community Service Fair as well as to middle and high school students attending public and private schools in the Greater Boston area. This year’s guide, published in conjunction with the non-profit People Making a Difference, showcases more than 200 non-profit organizations that are willing to engage teens in a variety of volunteer activities.  To request copies, contact info@teenlife.com.

Parents, students, and educators are encouraged to pre-register for this free event in order to expedite check-in and receive important pre- and post-event information. To register for the fair, visit www.teenlife.com/CSFair2011.

###

About TeenLife Media, LLC

TeenLife Media helps families and schools to connect middle and high school students with all sorts of meaningful opportunities, such as summer programs, community service, after school and weekend activities, and gap year programs. We also list extensive resources on how to find a job or internship and gain admission to college. Our goal is to become the "go to” online destination for students, parents and educators nationwide who are seeking programs, products and services geared to college-bound teens, aged 13-19. For more information on TeenLife Media, please email info@teenlife.com, call 617-868-5848, or visit www.teenlife.com.

Babysitter Training Class Coming Up: Jan. 30, 2011

Here's an FYI from the Children's Museum in Easton:

Come join us on Sunday, January 30^th from 12:30 pm -5 pm to learn everything you need to know about caring for children from Jane Rotondi, MASpEd.

Topics that are going to be covered include diapering techniques, safety and accident prevention, basic first aid, how to handle emergencies, great ideas for healthy and wholesome snacks and age appropriate activities.

Don’t forget to bring a large doll, or if you don’t have one a large teddy bear will work just fine, to practice diapering and first aid techniques. 

This workshop is $55 and we ask that the potential babysitters be ages grade 6 and up.  We also ask any potential babysitters to eat lunch prior to class due to the length of the class, however we will have a snack during class.

 The Museum is located in the Old Fire Station on Sullivan Avenue in North Easton Village.  Admission is $6.00 per person; members and children under 1 are free.  For more information check our website www.childrensmuseumineaston.org or call us at (508) 230-3789

Holiday Events for the Week of December 1, 2 & 3

October 29 and 30th 2010 Halloween Fun in Massachusetts

So much Halloween fun going on this weekend! In addition to the events
in our regular calendar
http://www.baystateparent.com/current/Calendar_%2528and%2529_Events, 
here is some more FUN this Friday and Saturday:  

Friday, October 29, 2010
FREE Radio Disney’s Frightfully Fun Halloween Event.  Dedham Health and
 Athletic Complex,
200 Providence Hwy,  Dedham. 5 - 8 p.m. Radio Disney is hosting an evening of
 family fun to
celebrate everyone’s favorite “wicked” holiday. There will be plenty of festive tunes,
 games for
all ages and tons of prizes. The Radio Disney team will be dressed in their finest Disney
Halloween gear,
so be sure to have children wear their own costumes too! In addition to music and games,
 children and adults
can decorate their own mini pumpkins, follow the trick or treat trail, have their faces
painted in Halloween fashion and much more. The Radio Disney Extreme Halloween
event is open to all DHAC members and non-members. 781-472-7928, RSVP by calling
Christina Campanaro. dedhamhealth.com.

Saturday, October 30, 2010
Toe Jam Halloween Spooktacular!
Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St.
Brookline, MA 02446
www.coolidge.org/kids
617-734-2501, ext. 0
617-306-5024
tickets are $9.75 for adults/$7.75 children.  Advance tickets available
online.

Saturday, October 30
 Hogwarts at HMNH
 Harvard Museum of Natural History
 26 Oxford St
Cambridge 
 2:00 pm- 5:00 pm
 Join the museum for “Hogwarts at the HMNH,” our Halloween kick-off to
this month-long Harry Potter celebration! Don your Harry Potter gear, come
 as a
favorite character or creature from the Harry Potter books, or dress up as your
 animal
patronus and come to the museum to “bone up” for your Hogwarts exams. 
Visit the Magical
Creatures station to see and touch fascinating bones, skin and claws that have been the
inspiration
for mythological animals. Stop by the cauldron at the Potter’s Potions table to learn
about the plant
and animal “ingredients” in Hogwarts potions and assemble a potion of your own.
Explore Wizardly Wands to examine specimens of the trees that inspired wands from
your favorite characters, including the sinister “Elder Wand.” Finally, don’t miss Life’s
Secrets
where you can uncover scientific secrets about the animals, plants, and minerals sought
 out in the
quest for eternal life.
A$9.00, Sr.$7.00 C$6.00
617-495-3045,  hmnh.harvard.edu

Saturday, October 30

FREE Costumes! Visit the Lowell Memorial Auditorium for a costume give-away

From10am-2pm, children are invited to come and pick out a FREE costume to wear on Halloween -

and any other day they feel like it!

Anyone interested in at helping out either by donating costumes, hosting their own collection,

volunteering at our give-away event, or anyone interested in learning more about our costume give away event, should visit our website at www.fromthepumpkinpatch.org or call 781.697.8732.

Who:

From the Pumpkin Patch: Merritt Friedman & Adam Pearson

Phone: 781.697.8732

Email: merritt@fromthepumpkinpatch.org

Website: www.fromthepumpkinpatch.org

Saturday, October 30

The Brookline Music School presents The Second Annual Winsor Music Halloween Concert, featuring Brookline Music School voice faculty, Megan Henderson on piano, Winsor Music Artistic Director, Peggy Pearson on oboe and Dalit Warshaw on theremin, playing classical pieces arranged for piano and theremin. The theremin, an early electronic musical instrument, has often been associated with an eerie sound, which has led to its use in movie soundtracks, as well as rock and avant-garde, 20th- and 21st-century concert music. Audience members will have the chance to participate in the Halloween Concert through playing the theremin and singing a Halloween tune or two. The Bakalar Recital Hall will be adorned in Halloween spectacle, as well as the players. Come in costume and join the party!

Brookline Music School will hold a Halloween Story Contest for ages 14 years and under. Winners of the Halloween Story Contest will have their story read and accompanied by theremin and piano at the Halloween Concert. Stories and poems can be any length. All entries are due by Monday, October 25. Entries can be sent to Megan Henderson at halfnotes@msn.com or to Brookline Music School.

The Second Annual Winsor Music Halloween Concert will take place in Brookline Music School’s Bakalar Recital Hall, 25 Kennard Road, Brookline, MA 02445 on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 7:00-8:00pm. The concert is free and all ages are welcome. For more information about this event visit www.bmsmusic.org or call Brookline Music School at (617) 277-4593.

Saturday, October 30

Halloween Carnival at the Harvard Coop, Cambridge. 1 – 3 p.m.
Pumpkin Games & Decorating
Help create a giant Halloween Mural
Face painting
Make your own goody bag
Pumpkin Hunt
Plenty of Treats….No Tricks
Remember every one in costume will be given a special treat!
*Ages 8 and under
Event will be on Palmer Street weather permitting
Rain Location: Lower Level Book Building

More Halloween Happenings 2010

baystateparent's sister publication, Worcester Mag, did a great job rounding up some fun Halloween Happenings for parents (and some cool ones for older kids too). Animal Adventures in Bolton is having a haunted house where kids witness alligator and snake feedings (cool). Plus, there are costume contests for your dog, haunted graveyards and more.

http://www.worcestermag.com/night-and-day/not-fit-for-print/Halloween-Celebrations-104865894.html

Suzy Becker this Wednesday, Oct. 13, in Lexington

Suzy Becker was one of baystateparent's original featured moms in our award-winning "Moms Rock" column. She's written her latest book, a hands-on book for kids about changing the world and has planned an inspirational night for children ages 6 to 10 this Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010 in Lexington.

If your child can make it, it looks like it will be a memorable evening with a funny and delightful successful author.

Wednesday, October 13th

Meet New York Times Bestselling Author/Illustrator SUZY BECKER
Lexington Arts and Crafts Society
Lexington Arts and Crafts Society 130 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA
5:30 - 7:30pm 
An inspirational evening for budding authors illustrators and activists
Ages 6 - 10 Take home a signed copy of: KIDS MAKE IT BETTER:
A Write-In, Draw-in Journal and a Certificate of Participation
$15 per child Adults Free

Participants will have a chance to solve a real world problem and
Suzy will illustrate their ideas. Afterwards,
kids will hear from youth activists who made a
difference in their local area and then set out to change
the world! Using the journal, kids can create their own solutions
to problems they care about and learn how to make their ideas grow.
Grown-up & Kid refreshments will be served. 


781 862 9696
 http://LACSma.org 

Events for the Long Weekend!

It's a long weekend for many of us. Yippee!!

Here are some ideas of what's going on in the Bay State including the Topsfield Fair and Roger Williams Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: http://www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org/

There are actually a lot of FREE things going on. Hope you find something fun to do that works for your family.

baystateparent :)


FRIDAY 8


FREE Fun for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum. The Discovery Museums, Acton. 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Hands-on fun during this special free evening for families with children on the autism spectrum, supported by Autism Alliance of MetroWest. Please contact Amy Spencer at aspencer@discoverymuseums.org or 978-264-4200 x 28 for more information or to register for the event. discoverymuseums.org.




FREE 5th Annual HONK! Festival. Davis Square, Somerville and Harvard Square, Cambridge. Oct. 8 – 10. Bask in the glow of this unusual phenomenon, a festival of activist street bands! 617-383-4665, Honkfest.org.



FREE Story Time. Barnes & Noble, 98 Middlesex Turnpike
Burlington. 6:30 p.m.781-276-3871, bn.com.

Fall/Winter Consign My Closet Sale. Boxboro Holiday Inn. Oct. 8 – 10. consignmycloset.com.

FREE Jungle Jam. Indian Hill Music School, 36 King St. Littleton. 6:30 p.m. A free event for families. Come join us for music, dancing and stories dressed as your favorite animal! www.indianhillmusic.org

Visit Puerto Rico: Around the World. Children's Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave.,
North Easton. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Each month, jet off to a new country and explore the music, crafts and games of the land. You many even meet a special guest who will serve as your tour guide. This month we'll "visit" Puerto Rico.Take home a souvenir that you have made and be sure to get your passport stamped for each trip you take. Kids can earn “frequent flyer miles” and receive special Museum money that can be used on our duty-free gift shop. $6pp.
508-230-3789, childrensmuseumineaston.org

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (film). Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport. 7 p.m. The 1971 film adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder. Rated G-suitable for general audiences. This event is part of the city-wide Roald Dahl Festival.
A$8, C$6. 978-462-7336, firehouse.org

Topsfield Fair. topsfieldfair.org.


SATURDAY 9

FREE Harvest Festival. Many Hands Sustainability Center, 411 Sheldon Rd., Barre. Noon – 4 p.m. Rain or shine. Games include apple bobbing, pin the tail on the pig and feather on the chicken, egg toss, sack races, treasure hunts, find the egg in the hay, gymnastics, a rotten tomato fight and the wasp's nest piñata. Also enjoy a country goods and services auction. Bring a potluck lunch dish to share and your own utensils. 978-355-2853, mhof.net.

Giant Columbus Day Weekend Flea Market!

Saturday, October 9
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sponsored by the nonprofits: Harvard Schools Trust and League of Women Voters of Harvard

Please take a drive to beautiful, foliage-filled Harvard, MA, and join the several thousand bargain hunters who come to peruse over 170 booths filled with treasures including antiques, vintage jewelry, collectibles, memorabilia, furniture, glass, pottery, household items, sports equipment, toys, clothing, farmers market items, refreshments and more. Admission: a $3 donation per person; a $1 donation per child ages 6 – 12 and ages 65 plus; and a $5 donation for early birds (before 9AM). Free parking and restroom available. The event coincides with "pies on the common" for the 53^rd year at the Congregational Church Apple Festival.

Address: The Bromfield School Grounds, 14 Massachusetts Ave (Rte. 111), Harvard, MA 01451.

For info: www.harvardfleamarket.com

North American Sea Glass Festival. 35 Scudder Ave., Hyannis. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sea glass collectors from around the globe will gather in Hyannis for their annual festival, featuring over 50 sea glass artisans, lectures, and contests including the $1,000 Shard of the Year contest. A$5, C (12 and under) FREE. seaglassassociation.org.Also Oct. 10, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

FREE Family Game Night and Potluck.  First Unitarian Universalist Church of Milford
  23 Pine St., Milford. 6 - 9 p.m. Play family games like charades,
party games like Apples to Apples, kid's games like Candyland,
 along with card and board games before having a potluck dinner.
 508-473-3589,  www.milforduu.org.

Paradise City Arts Festival. 3 Country Fairgrounds,Route 9 and Old Ferry Road, Northampton. Sat. & S un., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Meet 275 of the nation's very best craftsmen and artists showing their newest work. Dine on sensational cuisine by Northampton's best chefs under the Festival Dining Tent. Catch the excitement of live performances by nationally and regionally acclaimed musicians. Bid in a silent art auction to benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and don't miss the exhibits and activities surrounding the theme of this show - 'crEATe: food as artistic inspiration.’ A$12, Sr. $10, St., $8, C (under 12) FREE. 800-511-9725, paradisecityarts.com.



FREE Get Goosebumps Tour. Northshore Mall, JC Penney Court, Rts 128 and 114, Peabody. 12 - 4 p.m. Enjoy a complete Goosebumps experience – starring in and sharing their own custom “Get Goosebumps” video, playing the “Goosebumps Horrorland” Wii game, taking pictures as a Goosebumps Horror, entering for a chance to win a Goosebumps Prize Pack and more. 978-531-3441, simon.com.

Puppet Play. Providence Children's Museum, 100 South St.,
Providence, RI. 1 – 3 p.m. Oct. 9 – 11. Families explore "I Live in a Small Town", the playful new finger puppet exhibit in the atrium walkway, and design and craft their own puppets from an array of recycled materials. $8.50pp.
401-273-5437, childrenmuseum.org.

Edible Art! Weekend Festival. Peabody Essex Museum, Salem. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Celebrate art inspired by food…and food inspired by art! Delicious design, edible harmonies, traditional recipes and more await you during this exciting weekend festival. Marvel at chocolate architecture created by local chef and Food Network star Jorg Amsler, experience the story of Hansel and Gretel as performed by Tanglewood Marionettes, try your hand at our food art drop-in activities or take a walk to discover wild edible plants with botanist Russ Cohen. Free with museum admission. pem.org. Also Oct. 10.
Topsfield Fair. topsfieldfair.org.


Cranberry Harvest Celebration. A.D. Makepeace Company and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association, 158 Tihonet Rd., Wareham. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cranberry bog tours, helicopter rides, pony rides, cooking demonstrations, juried crafters and artisans, musical performances, games for children and much more. A $__ C (6 and under) FREE. 508-322-4000, cranberryharvest.org


Columbus Day Weekend Game at Gore Place. Gore Place, 52 Gore Street, Waltham. Sat & Sun, 12 to 3 p.m. (must start by 2 p.m.); Mon., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (must start by 3p.m.) Follow the clues, explore 45 acres, unscramble a secret phrase and get a prize from the Gore Place farm. All participants will be automatically entered into a drawing for Grand Prize of a Family Membership to Gore Place. Benefits of membership include free admission to the mansion, the Sheepshearing Festival, Preschool Story Times and the Take a Walk program. $5 per group. Appropriate for all ages. Starts at the mansion.
781-894-2798, goreplace.org.



Yarmouth Seaside Festival. Oct. 9 – 11. yarmouthseasidefestival.com.

SUNDAY 10

North American Sea Glass Festival. 35 Scudder Ave., Hyannis. See Oct. 9 listing for details.

A Farmer's Morning. The Natick Community Organic Farm, 117 Eliot St.,
Natick. 9 - 10:30 a.m. Take care of the animals, feed and water them. Collect fresh eggs for breakfast, and then head inside for a hearty farm breakfast.
A$16, C $12 (additional child $6), FREE under 3. 508-655-2204, natickfarm.org


Harvest Festival. Newburyport. newburyportchamber.org. Also Oct. 11.




Paradise City Arts Festival. Northampton. See Oct. 9 listing for details.

Edible Art! Weekend Festival. Peabody Essex Museum, Salem. See Oct. 9 listing for details.
Topsfield Fair. topsfieldfair.org.

Columbus Day Weekend Game at Gore Place. Gore Place, Waltham. See Oct. 9 listing for details.

MONDAY 11

FREE Bravo Flamenco! Celebrate! at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. JFK Library, Columbia Point
Boston. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Get ready for Flamenco, a stylish and percussive dance from Spain, presented by the world-renowned Ramon de los Reyes Spanish Dance Theatre. See colorful costumes, hear Spanish folk songs, and watch fancy Flamenco feet. Come learn a song and dance right out of your seat!
Admission fees may apply but performance is free. To make a reservation, please call 617-514-1644 or email JFKcelebrate@nara.gov and leave your name, number of people attending and your contact information. 617-514-1644, jfklibrary.org


Columbus Day Open Gym. Gymnastic Academy of Boston. 12 Keefe Rd., Acton. 12-1:15 p.m. Open to the public, with moonwalks, trampolines and more. C$12; $30 family.
978-369-9034, gymnasticacademyofboston.com.

FREE Museum of Fine Arts Open House. Boston. 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Live performances, poetry readings, family art making, gallery taks and tours. mfa.org.

FREE 9th Annual Opening Our Doors. The Fenway Alliance, various locations, Boston. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Features 15 music events, 12 explorations, 6 art events, 4 dance performances plus theater, film and hands-on workshops. 617-437-7544, fenwayculture.org.

 FREE [SENSE]ation Day! The Fuller Craft Museum, 455 Oak St., Brockton.  12-4 PM Free Community Day, featuring interactive family fun,
complete with hands-on activities and artist demonstrations.
 Free parking and admission. 
508-588-6000 x12,  fullercraftmuseum.org  

Holyoke Merry-Go-Round. 221 Appleton St., Holyoke. Noon – 4 p.m. $1 pp. 413-538-9838, holyokemerrygoround.org. Readers note: The Holyoke Children's Museum is adjacent to the merry-go-round.

Family Day: Wally’s 13th Birthday! Berkshire Museum, 39 South St.,
Pittsfield. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landmark stegosaurus is 13 years old! Celebrate Wally’s birthday by creating colorful Wally mobiles in an art-making workshop from 1 – 3 p.m. Sing Happy Birthday to Wally at 2 p.m., and then enjoy birthday cake and punch. Crafts and refreshments while supplies last. Free with museum admission: 413- 443-7171, berkshiremuseum.org.

Topsfield Fair. topsfieldfair.org.

Touch a Truck. Arsenal Mall, Watertown. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Get an up-close look at a variety of safety and construction trucks!
617-923-9944, simon.com.

New Balance Sale and Think Pink Event

N- Need some new sneaks or workout clothes? This looks like a great event (Oct. 21st) that gives you a 20% discount while supporting breast cancer awareness. Consider stopping in:

When: October 21. 6pm-9pm

- Where: NB Dedham Legacy Place

- Give Back: 10% of all sales during event will be given back to the local Susan G Komen affiliate.

- 20% off all product during the event.

- We will be honoring Tough Warrior Princesses and our local Honorary Team NB members.

- Catering and DJ will be onsite

- Hourly Drawings and Sweepstakes

- Local Celebrities and Speak