Enjoy the Fall Season at Fun Events in Eastern Massachusetts!

Tree installation at last year's Outdoor Sculpture
Show at Maudslay State Park.

I just returned from vacation to discover an amazing array upcoming events in eastern Massachusetts at various state parks. Just had to share! There is something here for almost everyone. All events are generally accessible, meaning that most people should be able to access at least most of the experience. Please call if you have specific needs regarding accommodation so you know what to expect.

Thru October 2nd: - Newburyport, MA: 12th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Show in the Park, Maudslay State Park, Curzon Mill Road. Level fields and forest lanes offer a showcase for sculptural pieces that celebrate the park, nature, conservation or ecology. Entries by 30 local artists make for an interesting explore of the park. Catalogs available in the trail map box. Artists reception Saturday, September 18 from 2-5pm. For more information, contact Bert Snow at 978-462-0423 or visit http://www.maudslay.ning.com/.


September 25 - Milton, MA: Join Governor Deval Patrick, the Department of Veterans Services, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation at the 2nd Annual Appreciation Day for Veterans and Military Families in the Park - Saturday at Houghton's Pond in Blue Hills State Reservation at 840 Hillside Street from 11am - 3pm. A fun-filled free day of hiking, geocaching, fishing and other activities, as well as an opportunity to learn more about veterans services. To register, visit www.mass.gov/veterans or call 617-210-5761 or email cisaksen@massmail.state.ma.us.

September 26 - Carlisle, MA: 7th Annual "Down on the Farm" Day at Great Brook Farm State Park, Sunday from 11am -3pm. Family fun includes hayrides, live music, pony rides, an egg toss, a cake walk, corn shucking contest, and more. Call 978-369-6712 for more info about this free event at 984 Lowell Street.

October 3 - N. Easton, MA: Fall Harvest Festival and Apple Pie Contest at Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave. Sunday, 1-4pm. Pumpkin Painting fundraiser (buy a pumpkin from $2-10, paint is free), enjoy a concert, and bring your apple pie to the contest. Call 508-238-6566 for more info and reasonable accommodations.

October 14 - N. Easton, MA: DCR Universal Access Hiking Program and Mansion Tour at Borderland State Park. Try out a mountain wheelchair and use team support to explore trails. Tour the Ames Estate grounds along forested carriage paths and visit the mansion. Call Brenda Davies at Outdoor Access at 413-259-0009 to register and get more info. $2 per person, $4 for families, $10 for groups.

October 16 - Groton/Ayer, MA: Human Powered Vehicle Festival on the Nashua River Rail Trail and in both town centers on Saturday, from 10am - 2pm. Free event invites all to enjoy displays of all kinds of human powered devices from antique bicycles to wheelchairs and velomobiles (whatever those are!) and exercise in an environmentally friendly way on the rail trail. For more information visit http:/tiny.cc/hpvf or email Admin@FriendsOfTheNashuaRiverRailTrail.com. Raindate Sunday, October 17.