Above: Not all of the typical fun will be offered at this year’s summer nights. But the public can still look forward to an evening concert, plenty of food vendors, fireworks and the return of kids’ activities.
Southborough Recreation has shared more details on this Saturday’s “Summer Nights”. The August 27th festival celebrates the end of summer with food, entertainment, and free activities, capped off by fireworks.
Here are all the details you need to know (including parking).
Parking opens at 5:00 pm (scroll down for details on where). The fireworks, signaling the end of the festival, will go off after dusk, around 8:00 pm.
It has been four years since the Town has been able to offer the big end of the year festival with both the free kids activities and fireworks.*
Before I get to all of the details, a quick shoutout to Recreation, Friends of Recreation, and the sponsors who helped make the event possible. (See image right.)
As I previously posted, the event isn’t quite as jam packed with free fun as it was in it’s heyday. But it’s much closer than the past few years.
In addition to music, fireworks, and food trucks – this summer brings back more kids’ activities and vendor booths.
This year, all of the activities will take place on the field east of the driveway from Neary to Trottier. (The western field that used to be used for inflatables and pony rides is reserved for setting off fireworks.)
Families will be happy to see the return of free Face Painting (by Skyrise Theater).
Young kids will flock to inflatables including the 65ft Obstacle Course, a 35 ft version, the big slide, and moon bounces for the younger ones.
If you’re too old for those, you can still enjoy the photo booth with free unlimited prints.
And ARHS Robotics will be back at the tennis courts with their popular demonstrations.
In addition, Rec has now confirmed that the following other vendors will be offering giveaways and/or activities:
- Middlesex Savings Bank
- Southborough Youth Basketball
- Southborough Community Fund
- Southborough Cub Scouts
- Southborough Cancer Youth Association
- Southborough Recreation Commission
You can enjoy dinner/dessert on the field while listening to the traditional concert on the outdoor stage. (Scroll down for food vendors.) This year’s act is the popular New England band, Hit the Bus. The band’s website describes:
We play an eclectic mix of music ranging from the 50’s through today’s hits. HTB plays the music people want to hear, dance and party to!
As usual, the paved area between the playground and school will be dedicated to food trucks and booths. Below are the confirmed vendors:
Anzios Pizza- Cousins Maine Lobster Truck
- Grub Guru (Asian Fusion, Mediterranean)
- Moe’s Sweet Eats (desserts)
- Shabby Gourmet (smoothees & beverages)
- Trolley Dogs
- Trombetta’s Farm (ice cream)
- Uhlman’s Ice Cream
- Yummy Mummy (bakery)
Parking at Neary (53 Parkerville Road) will be more limited than in some past years. It will be confined to the main paved lots and not make use of Depietri field. (That’s a good thing, since it means the field was returned to – and is being kept in – good condition for youth sports.) And the tennis parking area is reserved for use as public safety headquarters.
Fortunately, you can also park up at Trottier Middle School (That’s at 49 Parkerville Road, but accessible only from Deerfoot Road, since the driveway between will be closed off.)
*In 2019, the festival wrapped up before sunset due to a EEE threat that summer – thus, no fireworks. In 2020 it was cancelled due to the pandemic. And last year the festival and fireworks were back, but the event was scaled back to not include the kids activities due to COVID delay/concerns and budgeting. This year, they still can’t offer all of the popular free kids activities from earlier years (like pony rides and the rock climbing tower), but there’s still a lot for families to enjoy – especially given the free admission!
