Fall is here in all its glory, with plenty of outdoor festivals, Halloween activities, and even a planting party to plant a micro forest outside the Lowell School. First, on Friday, head to the library for a children’s clothing swap. You may need some fun clothes for your kids’ Halloween costumes, or a new winter coat to cover their costumes, as the temperature turns downward. Saturday afternoon, you can catch the Fall Festival at Grace Chapel in the early afternoon and then head to the Commander’s Mansion to wander through the inflatable corn maze and get spooked in the mansion. (I’m dying to see what the corn maze is like!) If you are more in the gardening frame of mind, and this is a great time to plant, head over to the Lowell School to watch or help out in the planting of the Miyawaki or micro forest. It should be quite a sight to see, so many plants going in a relatively small space in just one day. Then Sunday afternoon, at the library, check out the locally made documentary about the best spooky house in town! Watertown does fall well!
WICKED WATERTOWN
Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-8 p.m.
Commander’s Mansion, 440 Talcott Ave.
Wicked Watertown will take place outdoors and indoors on the Commander’s Mansion property. The outdoor guest experiences will be free and open to the public, including: an inflatable corn maze, games with Watertown Recreation staff, photo station with Natalie Nigito Photography, and a pumpkin carving contest.
There will be guided Haunted House tours inside the mansion! Entry will be $5 per person. The first 45 minutes of tours (before sunset) from 5-5:45 p.m. will be aimed for younger children without a “scare” factor. Beginning at 5:45 p.m., the Haunted House will feature scarier elements, such as jump scares and other surprises. Enter if you dare!
For more information: Click here
BEST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
Sunday, Oct. 27, 2-3:30 p.m.
Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St.
Join director Briana Chalker for a screening of her documentary about the best haunted house in Watertown! For over a decade, Watertown residents Chuck and Natasha have created an annual haunted house in their 600 square foot basement. This labor of love has become a spooky sensation throughout their neighborhood and beyond. This is Briana Chalker’s first documentary film. She has always had a passion for film and is intrigued in the ways in which the documentary milieu can enrich a story. She loves all things spooky and Halloween-themed, which made this project a serendipitous endeavor.
For more information: Click here
FALL FEST at Grace Church
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2-5 p.m.
Grace Chapel, 525 Main St.
It’s a family carnival experience with animals from Curious Creatures, face painting, crafts, balloon art, karate lessons, and bouncy castles for the kids! There’s endless fun (and food) to be enjoyed – and it’s all FREE!
For more information: Click here
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING SWAP at the Library
Friday, Oct. 25, 5-6:30 p.m.
Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St.
Drop off and sorting of clothes from 4-5 p.m., picking clothes from 5-6:30 p.m. Please come early to help sort. Then you can pick first! This event is hosted by Watertown, MA Parents group
For more information: Click here
COMMUNITY PLANTING OF A MIYAWAKI FOREST
Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Lowell Elementary School, on the corner of Orchard and George Streets
The City of Watertown is partnering with Trees for Watertown, Watertown Public Schools, and Watertown Community Gardens on a “Miyawaki” Forest (Microforest) Project. This demonstration project proposes to plant a microforest — a dense stand of tree and shrub species totaling about 3,000 square feet — to help mitigate urban heat island effect and increase local plant biodiversity. The microforest, as well as proposed community garden beds, will be located at the southeast corner of the Lowell Elementary School grounds
For more information and to register to volunteer: Click here