More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.
Natick recognized Memorial Day Monday with a series of observances, and a parade featuring veterans, first responders, scouts, and bands.
More: Natick military veterans and war memorial tour
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Come one, come all to the biggest event of the school year! The Lilja Elementary School Carnival is back for the first time since 2019, and there’ll be rides, games, prizes, raffles, acrobat shows, a reptile show, airbrush tattoos, a balloon twister, food and drink for sale, and more! Bring the whole family down for an afternoon of fun at this town-wide event.
Usually the Middlesex Savings Lot parking lot in Natick Center is nothing more than a utilitarian expanse of black asphalt, just a spot to park the car while you run into the bank and do some business. Last weekend the drab spot was filled with the sound of Bollywood music, the aroma of Indian food, and color—lots and lots of color. The Holi Fesival had come to town.
Bright and eco-friendly dry powder filled the air as participants covered themselves and each other in the brilliant hues. Because Holi represents the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, the relief that the battle has once again been won calls for the very air to be filled with color and joy. As powder is tossed around, it brightens the hair and clothing of revelers, practically becoming embedded in their very pores.
Sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council, community partners, and organized by many volunteers, the festival echoed the holiday celebrated in the Indian subcontinent. Also known as the “festival of colors” or the “festival of love,” Holi is associated with the season of hope and new beginnings.
Red symbolizes love and fertility; yellow, the color of tumeric, recalls traditional Indian cooking; blue represents the Hindu God Krishna, and green is for new beginnings. So if you noticed that the crowd in Natick Center seemed a little more colorful, a touch more vibrant than usual, that’s why.
The Natick Department of Public Works welcomed one and all to an Open House and Truck Day event at the 75 West Street facility. By the 10am start time, throngs of kids, their grown-ups, and other truck enthusiasts were lined up and ready to see and touch dump trucks, excavators, front-end loaders, and more. A crafts table kept the creative juices flowing, popcorn kept the energy going, and DPW staff was on hand to answer questions and run demos of systems and equipment at the free event.
There’s a lot going on this weekend around Natick, so get out there and enjoy all that’s happening in town. Just remember to fill up a water bottle, wear your sunhat, and slather on plenty of sunscreen—temperatures on Saturday and Sunday are forecasted to climb into the high 90s.
Stock up on your summer reading at The Friends of the Morse Institute book sale. There will be 1,000s of books and a selection of DVDs and CDs. At $1 per adult book and $0.50 for children’s/tween/teen books, there’s no reason not to bring a big bag and load up.
Proceed help the Friends provide library patrons with museum passes, Speed Reads, large print books, programs for all ages, and much more.
WHEN: Saturday May 21, 8:30am-4:30pm and Sunday, May, 22, noon-3:00pm
LOCATION: Morse Institute Library, 14 E. Central Street, Natick
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The Natick Farmer’s Market is back to its outdoor setting on the Common with over 30 vendors, live music, and an all-around great vibe. Please leave your pets at home per Health Department regulations.
DATE: Saturday, May 21 (and every Saturday, year-round)
TIME: 9am-1pm
LOCATION: Natick Common
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Come to the Department of Public Works Open House and Truck Day and view fire and Emergency Medical Services equipment; see dump trucks, excavators, front-end loaders and more; tour the Public Works facility; visit Natick’s Bookmobile; create mini truck models and get stickers, coloring sheets, and balloons; watch live demos of systems and equipment; check out stormwater and drones demonstrations; and munch on free popcorn. Bring non-perishable goods for donation.
This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Questions? Contact Tom Hladick at thladick@natickma.org or Jeremy Marsette at jmarsette@natickma.org or call 508-647-6550
DATE: Saturday, May 21
TIME: 10am-1pm
LOCATION: Department of Public Works, 75 West Street
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Holi is a spring festival celebrated in the Indian subcontinent, also known as the “festival of colors” or the “festival of love.” There will be eco-friendly dry powdered color available for all, Bollywood music with a DJ, and delicious Indian food for purchase. This is a free event, with the exception of the food.
DATE: Saturday, May 21
TIME: 2pm-4pm
LOCATIONS: Middlesex Savings Bank parking lot, Route 135 and Washington Street & the Mores Institute Library lawn
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Chase the blues away with the crowd-pleasing jazz of John Birt and Dylan Harley. This dynamic duo of dueling guitars performs the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt, the blues of Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong, original music, and reworkings of pop/classic rock. Bring a blanket or chair and relax on the lawn on the Bacon Free Library and enjoy a musical afternoon. This program is hosted by the Eliot Church and the Bacon Free Library. Admission is by free-will donation.
DATE: Sunday, May 22
TIME: 2pm-3pm
LOCATION: Bacon Free Library, 58 Eliot Street, Natick
