Conference moira::parenting_v3

Marlboro, MA is having Festival '90 from Fri. Aug. 30 through Sept. 3.  They
have this every year, but it's special this year because Marlboro is
celebrating their centennial as an incorporated city.

There will be rides, games, shows, petting zoo, a parade, & fireworks.

    The Big E will be comeing to Springfield, MA. on September 12th - the
    23rd.  
    
    I have gone to this every year sence I met my husband and we have so
    much fun down there.  The only year I didn't go was last year because I
    was pregnant with Alexander and my doctor wouldn't let me go becasue I
    carred him low and they thought he was going to be born early.
    
    But they have a midway with rides, games, ect.  Joey Chitwoods thrill
    show ( he drives cars), state houses of NH. RI, VT, and MA.  plus these
    big buildings with all sorts of stuff in them and everything you can 
    imagen to eat.
    
    
    Liz

    Did you miss the Topsfield Fair?? I forget when it is but it is in
    Topsfield, MA (toward the North Shore).  
    
    Any of the North End (Boston) street festivals are great. The biggest
    one is over Labor Day weekend. 
    
    There is also a Labor Day weekend festival down at the park right next
    to the Marriot Longwharf Boston (for the life of me I cannot think of 
    the name of it). The whole festival is Harborfest, I think. This is the 
    one where they have the fireworks in synch with the music from Kiss 108. 
    Great fireworks!!! 
    
    I second the Big E in Springfield. It does get crowded, especially on
    the weekends and sunny days. If you're up for a special treat, you are
    better off taking the kids out of school for a day (or half-day) and
    getting there first thing in the morning and avoiding all the hastles,
    especially if you have strollers. I remember as a kid we used to be
    able to take the first Tuesday off of the fair to attend knowing full 
    well our parents would probably take us out one day anyways. 

    Sept. 8th & 9th there is a fair in Sterling.  I have never been but
    it's supposed to be a nice country fair with crafts, and stuff for kids
    I guess.  It's at the Howten (sp?) School in Sterling Mass.  
    
    Sterling is off of I190 or on Rt. 62 I believe.  I'm not great with
    directions, but I'm sure you could find it on a map.
    
    Lancaster is also having a fair, but I haven't had much luck in
    reaching a town building.  I think it's in October sometime but I
    haven't found out yet.
    
    

    I have to third the Big E.   You can get advance tickets for $5 through
    emploee activities.  $7 at the gate.  children under 6 free.
    So many things for kids to do.  You don't even have to go near the
    midway type rides if you don't want to.
    And, if you camp, you can stay there from 1 day-14 days for only $20
    camping fee.  I've seen tents, and usually you see hundreds of RV-types
    parked.
    
    the duplicates of the state capitals are educational.
    
    ed
    

    How about the Brimfield Fair on Rte 20?  I only recall that one of
    their many sessions should be happening about this time of the year.
    Has anyone out there got details of when, where etc??
    
    My second thought, although not a "fair" as such, is out towards
    Sturbridge, Sringfield etc are several authentic Covered Bridges, nice
    for an afternoon drive.  I have a friend really into Bridges who has
    offered to loan me a book on covered bridges of New England.  Will be
    glad to share infor on that if anyone wants it.  We're "playing hookey"
    next Tuesday and doing the Big E, and will try and locate a couple of
    the bridges at the same time.
    
    I never did see any details for Topsfield Fair.  I seem to recall it
    happens AFTER the Big E.  And although it's too late this year, the
    Woodstock Fair in Woodstock CT happens every year on Labor Day weekend.
    
    Lyn

    Does anyone have the dates for the Topsfield Fair and the Deerfield 
    Fair?  I haven't seen anything on either of them.
    
    Thanks,
    Karen

    Karen,
    
    The Deerfield Fair is running from Thursday, Sept 27th thru Sun the
    30th.
    
    Donna

On a smaller scale:

The Charles River School Fair will be held this year on October 13th from 
10:00 AM 'til 3:00 PM.  The school is in the center of Dover, MA.

- Jim

    This Saturday, September 29, is the Colonial Fair and Fife and Drum
    Muster at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA.  (The name may not be quite
    precise but its close.)  This is a wonderful outing for the family and
    each year we have also brought our European au pairs for a taste of
    Americana.  There are crafts people, food sellers, apple sellers,
    hayrides and a colonial encampment.  The highlight of the day is the
    muster.  Fife and Drum corps from all over New England come to compete.
    I belive the parade in is at 1:00 and after that each of the corps play
    individually.  All are in period costume.  I do suggest getting there
    earlier in the day, it can get somewhat crowded.
    
    One word of caution.  If your little ones are badly frightened by loud
    noises, beware of the muskets firing!  There are a lot of them along
    with the music.  
    
    If anyone is interested, I can post directions.
    
    Norma

    Norma, please post direction!  I'd love to attend, I think it will
    prove to be an exciting and educational day for many.
    
    Lyn
    

Directions to the Wayside Inn, Sudbury, MA.

Longfellow's Wayside Inn is located just off of Route 20 on the 
Marlboro-Sudbury Line.  

From Rt 128 take the Rt 20 exit and head West.  You will travel
through Weston, then Wayland (cross Route 27) and into Sudbury. The
access Road to the Wayside in is about 2 miles down on the right after
the Sudbury Star Market (which is on the left).  It is marked. If you
pass the turnoff, proceed to the next light and take a right.  The
street that its on is an oxbow to rt 20.  It's almost 9-10 miles from
128. 

From 495 - If you are coming from the south, take rt 20 through 
Marlboro.  You are getting close when you pass a Stop & Shop and
Marshall's on the right (about 5 miles).  The next light will be
at Raytheon.  The
following light is the turn for the Wayside Inn *BUT* you must make a 
right before the light, which loops around so you go straight through 
it, instead of making a left at the light.  It is marked.  As with the 
previous, if you miss it, travel down the road apiece to the next left
turn to double back.

If you are coming from 495 to the north, it is *MUCH* shorter to take
495 to rt 2 east to rt 27 south  and head for Maynard.  Keep on 27
past Parker Street.  About 3 miles past Parker Street you will come to
a stop sign where 27 turns left.  Take the left and then take your
first right onto Peakham Road.  Go one mile to the stop sign - don't
take the first right at the stop sign (Pratts Mill Road), do take the
second (Peakham does a little jog here) and follow 2 more miles to
Route 20. (Wave when you go by - I live at that intersection.) Peakham
     ends on Route 20).  Go right and less than a mile
on the right is the turn for the Wayside Inn - it it marked. 

I will probably not be there because it is Canobie Lake day for our 
family.  We will go late if we can.  How 'bout PARENTING folks who go 
somehow identifying themselve so we know if we see each other - Pink 
carnation?  Badge attatched to your hat?

Norma
    

I've moved the Pattie Cake notes to 662.*, as they deserve a topic of their
own.

    Carol duBois, PARENTING co-moderator

    
    Family Activity.....
    
    	Here's one I just heard about last night.....kids should enjoy
    it...
    
    	The State Snowmobile Championships
    		Saturday and Sunday
    		Saturday from noon to 5pm
    		Sunday from 8am to 5pm
    
    	Breakfest at 8am Sunday at the Club.
    
    	Races all day on an oval track on the lake.
    
    		Baldwinville
    
    	HW
    

Reposted by moderator.

    Carol duBois, PARENTING co-mod

    
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Note 1099.1     Family Activities, County Fairs, Carnivals etc.           1 of 1
MIVC::MTAG                                           12 lines  22-AUG-1991 11:24
                         -< Middlesex County 4-H Fair >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The 4-H Middlesex County Fair is this coming weekend, August 23-25.  It
    is held on the 4-H Fairgrounds on South Chelmsford Road on the
    Chelmsford/Westford (MA) border.  There is a horse show, pony rides,
    various food, craft, and many animal exihibits.  Last year Smokey the
    Bear was there.  They also have a canteens set up where you can buy
    food (sodas, popcorn, hotdogs, burgers, etc.).  I went last year for
    the first time with my neice and daughter, but my daughter was way too
    young.  She might enjoy it this year.
    
    Mary
    
    PS - This might actually start today, but I'm not sure.