Northborough’s Applefest opens this Thursday, September 7th and runs through Sunday, September 10th. I shared a few of the events in my weekly events calendar, but there are a slew more.
I don’t share news of most neighboring town’s activities, but I make an exception for Northborough’s big annual festival. A lot of Algonquin and Boroughs organizations and teams have ties to Applefest events and fundraisers.
Northborough’s three day event combines their version of Southborough’s Summer Nights and Heritage Day, and beyond. Just about every community organization in their town takes part.
Northborough Education Foundation holds its Annual Gala as part of the festival. The fundraiser supports NEF grants for Northborough K-8 schools and Algonquin Regional High School.
The other activities with links to Southborough are the Saturday Street Fair where organizations promote themselves or raise funds and the Sunday parade.
The festival website promotes the main attraction as the Saturday night BBQ (5:00 – 9:00 pm) on Algonquin Regional’s athletic fields, with inflatables, music and more – capped off by fireworks. ARHS’ Robotics team will let kids try out some of their fun devices. (Activities are free, but there is a $20 parking fee.)
The full schedule is below with links to more details on each event.
Thursday, September 7, 2023
- Bake-off – (10:00 am) @ Northborough Senior Center: Prizes to the top three recipes with apples as a main ingredient. Sponsored by Friends of the Senior Center
- Senior Luncheon – (11:30 am) @ Northborough Senior Center: Tickets are required.
- Pizza Dinner – (5:00 – 6:00 pm) @ Melican Middle School Cafeteria: $8 per person or $30 per family up to 6 people. Sponsored by the Northborough/Southborough cheerleaders
- Magic Show – (6:00 – 7:00 pm) @ Melican Middle School Cafeteria: Illusionist Chris Herrick
Friday, September 8, 2023
- Vinny the Bubble Guy – (10:00 am) @ Ellsworth McAfee Park: Free show sponsored by Applefest Committee.
- Northborough Friends of the Library Book Sale – (12:00 – 5:00 pm) @ Northborough Free Library Meeting Room: Sponsored by Friends of the Northborough Free Library.
- NEF’s Applefest Gala – (7:30 pm – 11:30 pm) @ Juniper Hills Pavillian: Cocktails and Dancing sponsored by Education Foundation. (Northborough Education Foundation’s grants support Northborough’s public schools, including Algonquin Regional High School.)
Saturday, September 9, 2023
- 5K Road Race – (Registration 8:00 am for 9:00 am race) @ Zeh Elementary School, 45 Howard Street: Runners & Walkers welcome. Sponsored by Boros Cares 4 Troops.
- Northborough Friends of the Library Book Sale – (9:30 am – 3:30 pm) @ Northborough Free Library Meeting Room: Sponsored by Friends of the Northborough Free Library.
- Bike Rodeo – (10:00 am – 12:00 pm for ages 4-6, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm for ages 7-11) @ 211 Main St: Bring your bike, helmet and parent. Learn about bike and helmet safety. Test your new skills on our new rodeo course! Sponsored by Northborough Police Department.
- Home Run Derby – (10:00 am – 12:00 pm for ages 4-6, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm for ages 7-11) @ Casey Field, 61 East Main St: Sponsored by Algonquin Northboro-Southborough youth Baseball and Softball
- Rotary Club Street Fair – (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) @ Blake Street: Crafts, Vendors, Local Businesses and Community Groups, Food and Music. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Northborough.
- Farmers Market – (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) @ Town Common: 22 Vendors (including Northborough Junior Women’s Club) and live music provided by Carly Lara.
- Trinity Church Craft Fair – (10:00 am – 4:00 pm) @ Trinity Church, 23 Main St: Craft Fair, Café, and Thrift Shop. LIve music beginning at noon. Sponsored by Trinity Church.
- American Legion Chicken BBQ – (4:00 – 6:00 pm) @ American Legion, 402 West Main: Sponsored by American Legion Post 234.
- Fire Dept Open House – (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ 11 Pierce Street: Stop by for a Fire Hat and Thank our Fire Fighters and EMT’s. Sponsored by Northborough Fire Department.
- Northborough Historical Society Museum Tour – (12:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Northborough Historical Building, 52 Main St: Visit our museum and take a dive into Northborough’s rich history. Explore our exhibits and discover the stories that shaped this community.
- Art in Bloom – (12:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Northborough Historical Building, 52 Main St: Artwork from local artists, accompanied by stunning floral arrangements, showcase the creativity of Northborough’s artistic community. Sponsored by Northborough Garden Club and Art Guild.
- Applefest BBQ, Fireworks, Concert and Family Fun – (5:00 – 9:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School Athletic Fields: $20 per car. BBQ dinner, music by Hit the Bus, ARHS Robotics Show, Moonwalks, and Monkey Bridge. Sponsored by Applefest Committee.
Sunday, September 10, 2023
- Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast – (7:00 am – 11:00 am) @ Lincoln Street School cafeteria, 76 Lincoln St. Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 1.
- Northborough Historical Society’s Ice Cream Social – (1:00 – 3:00 pm) @ Northborough Historical Building, 52 Main St: Featuring ice cream sundaes, our homemade root beer, and root beer floats.
The following events have been cancelled due to the forecast:
- Cancelled — Classic Car Show – (11:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ the Northboro Shopping Plaza, 255 West Main St: Classic Cars, Food Truck, Mortar & Pestle, Music by Jack’s Guitar and Craftworks Sidewalk Sale. Sponsored by Applefest Committee.
- Cancelled — Trinity Church BBQ – (12:00 – 3:00 pm) @ Trinity Church, 23 Main St: Craft Fair, Café, and Thrift Shop. LIve music beginning at noon. Sponsored by Trinity Church.
- Cancelled — Applefest Parade – (2:00 pm) @ Lincoln Street, down Main Street to School Street: Celebrating Applefest Weekend.
- Cancelled — Taste of Northborough – (4:00 – 6:00 pm) @ Robert E. Melican Middle School: Sponsored by Algonquin DECA Group and Applefest Committee. Enjoy tastings from local restaurants.
Updated (9/9/23 8:59 am): Due to Sunday’s forecast, several of the Applefest events on Sunday, September, 10th are cancelled.
