Above: The free family fun has moved up to end before dusk this year. (photos L-R by Beth Melo and Susan Fitzgerald)
Here is everything you need to know about the 16th annual Southborough summer festival.
First, some safety notes. With the time change, it may be hotter than usual. So Southborough Rec is asking everyone to remember to stay hydrated. And since the change is due to the EEE threat, you should also wear/bring some bug spray.
Now here are the event details:
Schedule
Ignore the “Nights” part of the name this year. Southborough Summer Nights is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, August 24.
Field is open – 2:30 to 5:30 pm – Free activities, exhibits, and food vendors
3:00 – 5:00 pm – Music
It turns out that the original band couldn’t make the time change. Recreation was able to book The Railroad House Band. They’ll play a mix of bluegrass, western swing, and acoustic Americana music on the outdoor stage.
Parking
Parking is available at both Neary & Trottier Schools. (However the access road between is closed.) There is a designated drop-off/pick up site on Parkerville at Lundblad Field. A new announcement hasn’t been issued, but am told it is the same as years past – so you can go by the details in this old announcement.
Schedule
5:oo pm – Dusk: Free kids’ attractions, Booths, and Food Vendors (Click map to enlarge for information on activities layout.)
6:00 – 8:00 pm: The Boston Naturals
Dusk: Fireworks
Activities
Booths exhibiting local businesses and organizations. Many offer great freebies, so be sure to visit. (On the map, these are represented by the curved light blue line near the picnic area.)
Vendors include: Launch Entertainment Park, Villaris Martial Arts, Middlesex Savings Bank, Fay School, Renewal by Andersen, Kassatly Novelties, Eagle Scout bake sale, and the Cadence Academy.
Free Attractions –
- Pony rides
- Face Painting (by professionals)
- Rock Climbing Wall
- Inflatable Moon Bounces
- 65’ Inflatable Obstacle Course
- 3-hole mini golf
- Photo Booth
- Basketball Shootout
- Balloon Artist
Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS One
The fundraiser will take place on the field near the pony rides. (I added a purple star to the map to help you find the tent.) For details on the fundraiser, click here.
Robot Test drive –
ARHS Robotics will be back with their hands-on activities on the tennis courts. (I’m not sure if that will be free this year or a fundraiser. But, even when they charge a fee to participate, it’s peanuts. And it’s always free to watch.)
Food Vendors – located between the school and playground.
This year’s food trucks and booths are:
- The Dogfather – hot dogs and more!
- Dean’s Concessions – cotton candy, fried dough, French fries, etc
- StrEAT Food RX – Tacos, Nachos, salad, sliders, gluten free options
- Dominoes Pizza
- Uhlmans Ice Cream
Free fun “made possible”
None of this would be possible without the event’s many sponsors and volunteers. Click on the image right for the list of this year’s big sponsors cropped from the original flyer.
Send in your pics
I will be taking photos tomorrow, but I’d love to get your shots, too.
E-mail me your favorite pics from the event to mysouthborough@gmail.com. I hope to post a gallery early next week.
Beth,
This article shows both the old and new schedule. The event runs 2:30 – 5:30 and there are no fireworks this year. Thanks!
Sorry I didn’t see the glitch. I edited an old post and somehow a deleted section snuck back in! (I must have hit undo too many times during another edit.)