Publicize your meetings and community events in this free calendar, which comes out on Wednesdays in this space. Deadline: Monday. Email to: newsroom@atholdailynews.com.
ORANGE — The concert season will begin Friday, June 24, at 7 p.m., and will continue through the Fridays of July. Concerts will be held in Butterfield Park on the bandstand. Families are invited to bring blankets or chairs and gather around the bandstand.
WINCHENDON — There will be a food truck festival featuring battle of the bands, crafters and artists in GAR Park, Winchendon, on Friday, June 24, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Join Dave Small president of the Athol Bird and Nature Club, for a field trip, Introduction to Dragonflies, 10 a.m. to noon. Small says, “We will check a couple different types of water bodies locally for a variety of the species flying in late June. No experience needed we will walk you through how to identify what we find.
“Bring footwear for wading in shallow water, a butterfly net (optional), binoculars, camera, water, a snack, and your sense of adventure. Free and open to all. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Questions: Dave@atholbirdclub.org
Saturday, June 25: Royalston Chicken BBQ
ROYALSTON — The Royalston Fire and EMS Association will hold a Chicken BBQ at 5 p.m. at the Royalston Fire Department, 4 Athol Road, Royalston. $20 for adult; $12, kids (under 12). Tickets can be purchased through Association members or at the BBQ.
NEW SALEM — On Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m., the New Salem Public Library will present “Investigating Insects!” outside the library (weather permitting). Participants will become “Insect Investigators” as they observe live insects up close in our own outdoor “entomology lab.”
This program is fully funded by a grant from the New Salem Academy. To register: contact the New Salem Public library at 978-544-6334 or n_salem@cwmars.org.
ATHOL — Join Katrina Walton for our 2nd Central Mass. nature journal club meeting at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol, on July 5 at 9:30 a.m. Please note, we will be taking a walk. If you don’t wish to take the walk you can meet with us at 10:30 a.m., back at parking area. Please email thewaltons@gardnerale.com or call at 978-424-1445 if you are coming. You do not need to be an artist or writer to enjoy this activity.
ORANGE — The Orange Solstice Riverfest begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, with family activities, vendors, food, music and a lighted boat parade at 9 p.m. Sponsored by the Orange Lions Club.
ORANGE — The 45th Yankee Engine-uity Show and Giant Flea Market will be held Saturday-Sunday, June 25-26, at the Orange Airport, 80 Airport St. Highlights include antique engines, tractors, steam engines, tractor parade, kiddie tractor pull, food concessions.
Engine show info: Mike Toomey, 978-249-4946 or Grover Ballou, 413-253-9574.
Flea Market info: Dean Lamontagne, 413-323-9519
ATHOL — Athol Fire Chief Joseph Guarnera and the Athol Fire Department will be joined by State Sen. Anne Gobi, State Rep. Susannah Whipps, Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, and the Athol Board of Selectmen for Athol’s Fire Department’s annual Firefighter Memorial on Sunday, June 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., 2251 Main Street, Athol.
BARRE — The Quabbin Community Band under the direction of Margaret Reidy will perform on the Normay Park bandstand on Sunday, June 26, at 6 p.m., for the annual children’s concert. This concert features music that kids really like, but it is quite attractive to all ages as it brings back the nostalgic years of everyone’s youth.
QCB holds nine Sunday concerts ending on Aug. 14. The band will be playing an extra concert in Oakham at the bandstand on Thursday, July 28, at 6:30.
For more information about concerts or to join the band, contact Julie Rawson, julie@mhof.net or call 978-257-1192.
WESTMINSTER — The Westminster Garden Tour will be held the weekend of July 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. This year’s event will again feature the stunning gardens of Gordon and Mary Hayward. Gordon and his wife Mary have been developing a 1½-acre garden around their 220-year-old farmhouse in Westminster West for the past 35 years.
If you would like to be on our Garden Tour email list, please send an email to: westminstercaresvt@gmail.com.