6 minute read
Things to See & Do in Concord this Fall
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Concord Ag Day is a highlight of the fall calendar! This annual farmers’ market celebrates local agriculture and is your chance to meet the men and women behind Concord’s extraordinary farms. Join in the games, enjoy great food, and take home the season’s freshest produce. September 9 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in downtown Concord at the intersection of Walden Street and Main Street. visitconcord.org/events
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Explore the Elm Brook Hill Battle Site with Edmund Foster. Edmund Foster, a militiaman from Reading, MA, (portrayed by park volunteer Ed Hurley) will lead a tour to the Elm Brook Hill (Bloody Angle) Battle Site where he fought on April 19, 1775. He will be joined by Lincoln, MA, historian and author Don Hafner. Meet at the Hartwell Tavern. September 16 at 1 p.m. nps.gov/ mima/planyourvisit/special-event.htm
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The Taste of Concord is back! Enjoy a lively evening of flavors from our local Concord restaurants, bakeries, and food establishments at the Nashoba Brooks School gymnasium! While you’re there, join in a guided tasting experience with over 50 wines, craft beers, and artisanal spirits. Sip, taste, enjoy! September 19 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. concordchamberofcommerce.org/ event/the-taste-of-concord-is-back
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Immerse yourself in poetry and the beauty of the outdoors. Join the New England Poetry Club in the open-air tent at The Old Manse for free poetry readings on select Sunday afternoons. Take a stroll around the orchard and along the banks of the Concord River before or after the reading. You can even bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds! September 24 and October 22. 2 – 3 p.m. thetrustees.org/ event/87240
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It’s time for Porchfest! The streets surrounding West Concord Village will once again fill with music for the fourth annual West Concord Porchfest. Porchfest is a free, all-ages grassroots community music festival that has become a tradition across the country as musicians, story tellers, poets, and anyone with a talent performs on porches, driveways, and stoops. September 23 from 1 – 5 p.m. (rain date: September 24) sites.google.com/view/west-concordporchfest/home
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Spend the day with our feathered friends at the Fall Migration Bird Walk. Head outdoors for a 1.5-mile bird walk and enjoy the beauty of fall as you learn to identify birds in their more subtle fall plumage at Minute Man National Historical Park. The event is free, but registration is required. September 28 from 8 – 10 a.m. friendsofminuteman.org/events/#fallbird-2023
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Explore Concord Museum’s new exhibition, “Interwoven: Women’s Lives Written in Thread,” highlighting needlework produced by young women in New England, with a specific focus on the extraordinary collection of eighteenth and nineteenth century samplers at the Concord Museum. September 29, 2003 – February 25, 2004 (Curator Gallery Talk: September 29) concordmuseum.org
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Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Concord Free Public Library. Gather at the Town House to hear Town leaders declare October 1 as ‘Concord Free Public Library Day,’ followed by a reenactment of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s dedication speech for the Library given on October 1, 1873. Afterwards, there will be a parade, cake, live music, and activities for all ages on the Main Library Lawn at 129 Main Street. Free. October 1 at 2 p.m. concordlibrary.org
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Join the Concord Museum and recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a program and performance by the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers, a group of musicians and artisans from the tribal communities of Mashpee on Cape Cod and Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard. October 9 from 10 – 11 a.m. Free. concordmuseum.org
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Prepare for war! In 1774, the preparation for winter was also a time of preparation for war in Concord. Colonial militia mustered to train their soldiers and scrambled to secure military supplies. Local families brought in their harvests to be preserved as food sufficient to feed their family through the coming year. This was one of last year’s most popular events – you won’t want to miss it! Meet at the Hartwell Tavern. Free. October 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/specialevent.htm
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Lend your support to the new makerspace at the Library. The Main Library comes alive with After-Hours @ the Library; a mix of music, art, puppetry, theater, and storytelling. Proceeds will benefit the new makerspace, Workshop @ the Library. October 14 at 7 p.m. concordlibrary.org
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Think disobediently. In his new book, Henry David Thoreau: Thinking Disobediently, esteemed Thoreau scholar Lawrence Buell details the complexities and contradictions of Thoreau’s life and work; perfect for readers unfamiliar with this author, agitator, naturalist, and sage, this book is packed with new insights sure to interest seasoned scholars as well. October 19 at 7 p.m. thoreaufarm.org
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Celebrate the written and spoken word at the 31st annual Concord Festival of Authors. This year’s Festival will include dozens of authors and events. Whatever your literary passion, you’re sure to find an event that will inspire! October 20 –30. concordfestivalofauthors.org
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Don’t miss Discover West Concord Day! Spend an afternoon strolling the charming streets of West Concord and finding great bargains at the sidewalk sales. Bring the family and enjoy arts and crafts, food, live music, face painting, and more. October 21 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. visitconcord.org
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Join in the spooky fun at Hallowe’en at The Wayside: Home of Authors! Head over to The Wayside for an evening of eerie history. Learn about the superstitions of Hallowe’en in the late 19th century and enjoy the haunting words of selected Nathaniel Hawthorne short stories. Free. October 21. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. nps.gov/mima/ planyourvisit/special-event.htm
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Celebrate Halloween at Hartwell Tavern. Do you believe in ghosts? Do you like history? Then join the Friends of Minute Man National Park at Hartwell Tavern. Share ghostly folklore and explore Hartwell Tavern. Candy will be available for trick-ortreaters of all ages, so don your costumes and come trick-or-treating at an 18th century tavern! Free. October 28. 5:30 – 9 p.m. (rain date: October 29) nps.gov/mima/ planyourvisit/special-event.htm
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Trunk or Treat! Bring your little ones to the Beede Center parking lot for a fun, and safe, trick or treat event. Free. October 29 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. concordrec.com/1453/Trunk-or-Treat
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Follow Henry David Thoreau’s excellent example and saunter this fall. Join evolutionary ecologist Amity Wilczek and historian Richard Smith for the Thoreau Sauntering Society’s Saunter at Thoreau Farm to explore the biological and historical importance of the Virginia Road landscape. October 29 at 2 p.m. Registration required. thoreaufarm.org/saunter
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Head over to West Concord for a pajama party! Anyone in the door at Debra’s Natural Gourmet by 9 a.m. gets 20% off everything (even sale items). And if you show up in your PJs, you’ll even get a free muffin. It’s a fun community event, with dozens of other merchants joining in the excitement. Stock up for the holidays and have a great time – there’s even “pajama story hour” for the kiddos at 9 a.m.! November 18 from 5 – 9 a.m.
