Author: Nichole S.

So many fantastic things going on this weekend right on Cape Ann!   Take advantage of some of it for sure!

Pick #1: Rockport’s Harvest Fest

Saturday, October 13th 10:00-5:00, Downtown Rockport

 

About the Festival

The annual Rockport Harvestfest celebration features the best regional bounty of the season — all in an unbeatable setting.

Take the train to Rockport and start your Harvestfest experience with the makers’ shops at Whistlestop Mall. Head downtown to T-Wharf for local beer and a showcase of food producers and growers. Enjoy all that Rockport has to offer: beaches, parks, shops, galleries, and restaurants as we celebrate New England  at Harvestfest.

New England food producers gather on one of Rockport’s historic working wharves to celebrate the best of local food with fresh lobster, chowder, pastries, grass-fed beef, wood-fired pizza, small-batch jams, locally-grown produce and more. Craft beers  produced in Massachusetts are on hand, along with Rockport’s own Twin Lights, with soda crafted from the 120-year-old company’s original recipes. Cooking demonstrations take place throughout the day demonstrating the riches of harvest in New England.

Harvestfest features plenty of live bluegrass, jazz, folk, indie rock, cooking demos, a farm expo, and plenty of activities for families.

READ MORE HERE

Pick #2: Cape ann Classic Cars on the Green

NOW SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14th from 1:00-5:00 on Gloucester’s Meeting House Green

Over 30 Classic Cars! Come join us on Meetinghouse Green! Admission to the public is free but donations to the Foundation are greatly appreciated. Hourly tours of the building with performances on the historic 1893 pipe organ. Food and beverages will be available and the Dixieland band John’s Giddy Gang will perform. The audience will judge the cars with prizes awarded at the conclusion of the show.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, GMF caps, mugs, totes and umbrellas for sale, and an available judging sheet with 9 categories for the audience to determine the winners.  John Hicks’ Dixieland ensemble ‘John’s Giddy Gang’ will play for the crowd’s enjoyment, the Causeway Restaurant will have delicious food like their famous chowders and lobster rolls, and there will be hourly tours of the Meetinghouse including a piece performed by Bob Wech on the 1893 Hutchings-Fisk pipe organ. If you or a friend have a classic car you would like to show (entrance fee $25), please register at info@gloucestermeetinghouse.org.

The fun begins at 1pm and will include a festive award ceremony at 5:00pm. We are hoping for a beautiful autumn day (rain date is Sunday afternoon), as summer and the 3rd season of Music on Meetinghouse Green fades from memory. Please plan to stop by, bring family and friends, and enjoy the show!

In the spirit of giving back to the community each concert is partnered with a Cape Ann non-profit organization. The public is invited to make a free-will donation (So if you can, please bring cash/check.) This week’s organization is GMF.

LEARN MORE HERE

Pick #3:  Grand Prix of Gloucester

CRAFT SPORTSWEAR Gran Prix of Gloucester | 13 & 14 Oct 2018
Rounds 1 and 2 of the Vittoria Northeast Cyclocross Series presented by Cycle-Smart

READ MORE HERE

BOSTON, Mass. (Oct. 10, 2018) – The 2018 Vittoria Northeast Cyclocross Series presented by Clif Bar and Cycle-Smart begins this weekend with the 20th edition of the CRAFT Sportswear Gran Prix of Gloucester presented by Ipswich Brewing. Taking place this October 13 and 14, in Gloucester’s iconic Stage Fort Park, cyclists of all ages and abilities will take on the twists and turns of the park with competitions culminating with the men’s and women’s professional races.
Union Cycliste Internationale sanctioned (UCI) Elite Class 2 (C2) races will be held both days for professional women and men. Athletes will compete for points on the USA Cycling Pro Cyclocross Calendar (ProCX), as well as for the Vittoria Series overall competition. Winning athletes will be awarded coveted Verge Sport leader’s jerseys at the Gloucester event.
The Vittoria Series includes four weekends of competition on classic cyclocross courses in the Northeast in Gloucester, Mass., Northampton, Mass., Suffern, N.Y., and Warwick, R.I. The longest standing UCI cyclocross series in the United States continues in its mission to drive the sport forward and set an example.

Pick #4:  Cape Ann Plein Air

Fabulous artists can still be discovered painting all around Cape Ann.  It is such a treat to catch them in action as they capture the gorgeous scenery that surrounds us.

READ MORE HERE

As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid. 

This little guy is super cute.  There’s a children’s book waiting to be written here for sure.

This is so great!  Nice job, Drift Cafe.

Check out Drift’s Facebook page HERE

Pick #1:  Mattos Field Private Joseph S. Mattos Jr. Flag Dedication Ceremony

Please consider joining the Cape Ann Office of Veterans Services, the City of Gloucester, and the Light Up Mattos Field Committee for this special ceremony.

4:00 on Friday, October 5th.

27 Webster Street, Gloucester

Pick #2:  Annual Plum Island “Jetober” Fest

October 4th – October 7th, 9:00 – 4:00

Plum Island Airport, 24 Plum Island Turnpike

See the event’s Facebook Page HERE

JetOberfest is almost here.
Come on out and join us once again at the Plum Island Airport for 4 days of Nonstop RC Jet action (Turbine and Ducted Fan Jets, no props or rotors for this event please). Pilots from all over the Northeast and Canada will make their way to our little slice of heaven to WOW the crowds with some amazing machines.
Dates: October 4th – 7th
Times: 9-4 Thur-Sat, Sun 9-2 (pilots will be packing up for travel after noon as flying tapers off).
Location: 24 Plum Island Turnpike, Newbury, MA
Plum Island Airport

PILOT INFORMATION:
Pilot fee $ 50

Pick #3:  Fall Concert Series at Appleton Farms

Date & Time
Sunday, October 7
4-7PM

Cost
Member Carload: $20;
Nonmember Carload: $25;

Join us for fall concerts in the Stone Paddock! These family-friendly concerts will feature live music, food trucks, lawn games, and an opportunity to meet our dairy cows and farm animals!

Bring a picnic from home or food will be available for purchase from local food trucks. Beer and wine will be available for purchase from Ipswich Ale and Old Planters Brewing. Enjoy our lawn games, meet our animals, and enjoy a gorgeous fall evening on the farm. Gate opens at 4pm and concert starts at 5pm.  Sorry no dogs or byob.

This Sunday’s band is The Katrina Marie Band

As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid.

Thatcher was walking around downtown Rockport with some friends after school yesterday when they were asked to guard a package by a gentleman on Bearskin Neck.  I’m proud of him for knowing that he should call me and make sure that sounded “ok.”  He told me the story, told me he was with two friends, and that they were outside in a public area….  he also explained that the man was leading his girlfriend on a scavenger hunt and that she’d be by within 30 minutes to find that package before moving on to her next surprise.  I made Thatch send me a photo of the package.  It was a swan, with a note,  in a nice little bundle.

Sure as anything, about 20 minutes later, a woman came by, discovered the package, read the note, and continued on her way.  Thatcher decided it felt too creepy to snap a photo of her.   Sigh.

At any rate, kudos to the man for arranging such a fun afternoon for his girlfriend.  He was kind enough to even give Thatch and his friends some money to split for making sure that no one else took off with his swan.

I hope the afternoon was everything that he expected it to be!  Was there a proposal at the end?  I wish we knew!  Are congratulations in order?  I hope so!

I’m not so sure about the duct tape though.

For the entire month of October, in honor of Anthony’s sister, Christina Cathleen Caturano, Tonno Gloucester, Tonno Wakefield, and Prezza Boston, joined with Cappella Restaurant, will be donating 100% of the proceeds from their Triple C cocktail  to the Zakim Fund in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Triple C

Ketel Citroen, St. Germain, Fresh Grapefruit, Muddled Basil, and Simple Syrup

I enjoyed one last night and it was beyond delicious.

I spent some time up at the Crane Estate the other day.  Photos waiting to be snapped around every corner up there.  It is a beautiful property no matter what the season. Geometric shapes and patterns have always captured my eye when taking photos so I was immediately drawn to this.

Paul Horovitz captured this gorgeous photo of Autumn’s first sunset over the Annisquam. Not a bad way to say “Goodbye” to summer, I suppose.

Pick #1:  Harvest Music Festival

September 15, 2018 from 10:30am to 8pm

$20 per ticket
Children 12 under free | Rain or Shine
No Refunds | 21+ Area Beer Garden
No Coolers | Chairs Encouraged

The GLOUCESTER HARVEST MUSIC FESTIVAL blends art and music in one of the country’s most unique and rich artist communities. We invite you to experience the beauty and friendliness of Gloucester through a day long festival showcasing music, arts and culture while supporting our local community hospital (Addison Gilbert Citizens Fund) and community based outreach programs. Our hope is to make this a destination festival with a mission that all proceeds from the GLOUCESTER HARVEST MUSIC FESTIVAL go directly to the Addison Gilbert Citizens Fund, which is to guarantee the continued existence of a full service hospital. By supporting this, it will ensure the safety and well-being of the community and beyond.

READ MORE HERE

Pick #2: Family Farm Day at Appleton Farms

Sunday 10:00-3:00

Always a really fun day at the farm!  We love when the stars align and our hockey schedule works out so that we can attend!

Come celebrate the fall harvest with some good old-fashioned fun on America’s oldest working farm. Grab your friends and family and join us at Appleton Farms for our annual Family Farm Day!

Visit with our farm animals, paint your own pumpkin, learn about beekeeping, challenge your friends at the potato spoon relay or hay obstacle course, and make sure to enjoy a pony ride! Looking for more? There are old-fashioned games like tug-o-war, crafts, face-painting, farm tattoos, and live music. Hop on the Hay Ride and go for a spin around the farm!

All this activity will surely have you hungry for some fresh-from-the- farm food. Visit the food court where you will find and local food trucks. Snacks, drinks, and dessert will include ice cream, cider donuts, popcorn, Mojo cold-brewed coffee, and lemonade.

Admission includes everything except food and beverages. This event runs rain or shine. Admission fee is per car.  Trustees members don’t forget your membership card to receive discounted admission. Not a member yet? Join at the event and receive a free promotional surprise! See you there!

Pick #3:  Festival at the Farm

Both Saturday and Sunday….so attend Gloucester’s Harvest Festival on Saturday and then keep dancing your way to Canton on Sunday.

Music Festival, Canton Ma

READ MORE AND PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid.

Pick #1:  Beverly Air Show

2018 Beverly Regional Airshow:  Flight For Cystic Fibrosis

September 8th & 9th, 2018 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Flight4CF started in 2004 by Rich Little, after the birth of his daughter Piper, who was diagnosed with CF.

A year later, Rich incorporated Flight4CF as a nonprofit organization.

Shortly after Flight4CF became a nonprofit, the first event for the organization was held in 2005 with airplane rides generating over $25,000.

Attractions

• Aerial Performers
• Aircraft on Display
• Military
• Kid’s Activities
• Food
• Entertainment
• Airplane Rides

READ MORE HERE

Pick #2:  Ipswich Ale Harvest Fest 

Spencer Peirce Little Farm, Newbury

As always, Harvest Fest is free to attend. All ages and well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. 21+ with ID to drink. Beer is purchased using beer tickets; $6 per 16oz pour, cash or credit. Event will be held rain or shine. Live music all day! Cheer on a game of vintage baseball! Food will be available for purchase from food trucks on-site: Big Rig BBQ, Long Hill Orchard & Farm, Copperdome Crust Pizza, Kelly’s Roast Beef, Whoopie Wagon (***more TBD). Guests are expected to drink responsibly and ensure they have a safe means of transportation to and from the event. Parking is available on-site although we recommend using Uber & Lyft.

For questions or concerns, please reach out to Jordan@ipswichalebrewery.com.

Pick #3:  Map and Compass Treasure Hunt 

Ipswich River Wildlife

Registration Required: DO SO HERE

Map and Compass Treasure Hunt

Sponsored by Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Sat, Sep 08, 2018 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield

Instructor:

Cori Brauer – Education Coordinator

Audience:

All (suitable for children 7 – 18 years)

Members:

Adult $8.00, Child $7.00

Nonmembers:

Adult $10.00, Child $8.00

Nonmembers can join today during checkout and take immediate advantage of member prices.

Join us for a guided map-and-compass treasure hunt around the sanctuary. Bring your own compass or use one of ours and learn how to find north, orient yourself, count paces, and use the map and compass to find your way. After some basics, we’ll hit the trails and use the new skills learned to search for some hidden natural treasures. No experience necessary. This program is a good introduction to orienteering for the whole family.

As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities please visit our friends at North Shore Kid