Around Town

Herring Festival 2026: A Fish Migration Celebration

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The migration of herring and other fish up the Charles River will be celebrated at the Charles River Watershed Association’s Herring Festival. The event will take place near the Watertown Dam at 64 Pleasant St. on Sunday, May 17 from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. See more details at in the announcement from the CRWA, below. Each spring, the Charles River becomes a vital spawning ground for diadromous fish species such as the Alewife, Blueback Herring, American Shad, and Rainbow Smelt. These fish are key players in the local ecosystem and are a historical representation of Indigenous food sovereignty and cultural ways of life. Join us for our annual celebration of fish migration to honor the herring with an afternoon of free, family fun! 

This year, we are also premiering a community artwork titled “River Run”, developed in collaboration with muralist Sophy Tuttle.

Around Town

Residents of Assisted Living Facility Get Access to The RIDE, Learn Details from Local Legislators

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger discusses the MBTA’s The RIDE with a gathering at The Residence at Watertown Square. (Contributed Photo)

The following piece was provided by The Residence at Watertown Square:

Residents at The Residence at Watertown Square recently gained direct access to transportation resources during an on-site event featuring Sen. William Brownsberger, State Rep. Steven Owens, and representatives from the MBTA and its “The RIDE” program. The Residence at Watertown Square offers a variety of transportation services to its residents, but is always striving to promote greater independence and mobility. For many older adults, navigating public transit options and application requirements can present a significant barrier to mobility and independence. To help address this challenge, Sen. Brownsberger’s team, Rep. Owens, and The RIDE partnered with The Residence at Watertown Square to bring additional transportation resources directly into the community, making it easier for residents to learn about and enroll in available programs.

State Rep. Steve Owens tells residents of the Watertown assisted living facility about The RIDE.

Around Town

Sidewalks & Curbs Will be Under Construction in East Watertown This Week

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Sidwalk removal will take place at a major intersection in Coolidge Square this week, and curbs will be removed and replaced on the far eastern end of Mt. Auburn Street. See how the road and sidewalk work this week will impact road and pedestrian traffic in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Sidewalk Removal

Excavation of the eastbound sidewalk on the corner of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street, and on Arlington Street and Grove Street. This work will start on Monday, May 11, 2026 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn about travel and parking impacts below.

Food

Watertown Has a New Beer Garden, Restaurant Moving to Bigger Digs, Another Makes Globe

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Mighty Squirrel Brewing opened its new biergarten at Gore Place. (Photo from Mighty Squirrel)

There’s plenty going on in Watertown’s food and drink scene, with a new beer garden, a restaurant headed to a bigger space, and a newish restaurant getting the attention of regional media. Beer Garden

Attendees of the Sheepshearing Festival had the chance to enjoy a beverage from Mighty Squirrel Brewing. Now the brewery has teamed up with Gore Place for an ongoing partnership. The biergarten officially opened on Friday, May 8, and will be open Thursdays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays-Sundays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. though October.

Business

Nine Watertown Organizations Named Winners in WSB Annual Customer Choice Awards

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All the 2026 winners of Watertown Savings Bank’s Customer Choice Awards. (Photo from Watertown Savings Bank)

Watertown Savings Bank hosted the winners of the 2026 Customer Choice Awards, and handed out $100,000 to non-profits from Watertown, Belmont, Waltham, Newton, Arlington, and beyond. See details in the announcement from WSB, below. On Tuesday, May 5, Watertown Savings Bank distributed $100,000 amongst 34 local non-profit organizations chosen by its banking customers and local residents, at their 27th Annual Customer Choice Awards Night held at the Sons of Italy Hall in Watertown. St.

Around Town

THE DISH: Ritcey East’s Max Ritcey Talks About Fish Taco, Lending a Helping Hand & More

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Ritcey East owner Max Ritcey presents a fan favorite: fish tacos. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Dish is a new collaboration between Watertown News and the Little Local Conversations podcast which takes a deep dive into a favorite dish from a local restaurant and beyond. Watertown’s Ritcey East has become a favorite place for people looking for comfort food, a cocktail, and enjoy it in a laid back, fun atmosphere. One of the most popular menu items, the fish tacos, also harkens back to owner Max Ritcey’s culinary roots, and has strong family ties. Ritcey’s fish tacos are simple, but burst with complex flavors.

Around Town

Town Wide Yard Sale Coming in June, See How to Participate

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The 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale is Saturday, June 13 and Sunday June 14, 2026! See details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown, below. For one fee of $10, you can schedule your yard sale on Saturday, June 13, Sunday, June 14, or both days! We’ll do the advertising, provide a list of addresses to buyers and make it a community event for all to enjoy!!! 

See the 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale Flyer. and the 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale Registration Form.

Obituaries

OBIT: Henrietta Parrott Light, Cared for Greenhouses at Lyman Estate, Helped Start Chemical-Free Garden Tours

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Henrietta Parrott Light

Henrietta Parrott Light of Watertown, MA, died peacefully at her home on May 2, 2026. Henrietta (Penny) was born in Dayton, Ohio on Oct. 8, 1930, to Robert Ferguson Light and Henrietta Clunet Light, who raised her with a lifelong love of gardening and the natural world, literature, music, and friendship. She graduated from Smith College with a degree in early childhood education, which she applied to a year of teaching at Ruggles Street Nursery School in Roxbury before dedicating her energies to raising her four children and cultivating her interests in music and horticulture. Later, she attended the Horticulture Program at Mass.