There are a lot of things to do in the tri-town this Memorial Day weekend. For a full itinerary of events, visit https://sippican.theweektoday.com/calendar/.

Thursday, May 23

Learn to fish.

The Buzzards Bay Coalition is hosting a free freshwater fishing lesson for prospective anglers of all ages at Mary’s Pond in Rochester from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. To register visit https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events/learn-to-fish-may-23-2019/

Repair a wall. 

The Sippican Lands Trust and Mattapoisett Land Trust will host a workshop on rebuilding walls at SLT’s Peirson Woods property at 4 p.m. Participants should email jcosta@sippicanlandstrust.org to sign up, wear appropriate clothing, boots and bring gloves. 

Celebrate ORR art. 

The high school art department will host an opening reception for its exhibit at Uncle Jon’s Cafe in Marion, which will showcase the work of 25 student artists, from 5 to 7 p.m. Can’t make it? The exhibit will be on display through June 10.

Party and paint.

The Mattapoisett Council on Aging will host a painting party at its building (17 Barstow Street) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For $15, Susan Bumpus will teach participants how to paint. 

Friday, May 24

Appreciate art.

The Marion Art Center will host an opening reception for its exhibit by Janet Gendreau and Peter Hussey from 6 to 8 p.m. Gandreau focuses on marshes in her pastels, while Hussey does architectural watercolors. 

Celebrate Town Administrators.

Marion will host a celebration of retiring Town Administrator Paul Dawson and his successor James “Jay” McGrail from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Town House conference room. Light refreshments will be served.

Hear some jazz.

The Rochester Senior Center will host the Rochester Memorial School Jazz Band for a concert and BBQ luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please sign up in advance by calling the Rochester Senior Center and provide a $5 donation for the lunch.

Saturday, May 25

Hear logging’s benefits.

The Rochester Land Trust will host a lecture by Phil Benjamin on the benefits of logging and forest management at  9 a.m. at the Church's Wildlife Preserve across from 194 Marion Rd, if using GPS). Refreshments will be served.

Make a maypole.

The Mattapoisett Free Public Library will host dance educator  Kay Hanley Alden to do a maypole activity with children. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will offer other games if time permits.

Create crafts.

The New Bedford Art Museum’s Art Mobile will visit the Mattapoisett Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to allow children to make crafts.

Learn about birds.

The Buzzards Bay Coalition will host avian expert Nate Marchessault at the Nasketucket Bay State Reservation (94 Brandt Island Rd., Mattapoisett) at 8 a.m. to lead a walk that will look for songbirds, shorebirds and raptors. RVSP at https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events/birds-of-buzzards-bay-may-25-2019/ and bring binoculars.

Eat ham and beans.

The Memorial Day Boat race will hold a ham and bean supper at the Rochester Senior Center from 5 to 7 p.m. Event tickets can be purchased at the door, and will be $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Attendees can also purchase raffle tickets for boats, paddles and an afghan.

Monday, May 27

Join a parade.

Marion will host its Memorial Day Parade at 9 a.m. at the Marion Music Hall.  The parade will feature Marion’s Andrew Bonney, as emcee, Dr. James R. Holmes of the U.S. Naval War College as speaker and the Sippican School Marching Band.

Race boats.

The Rochester Memorial Day Boat race will start at 8:30 a.m. at Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir on Snipatuit Road. Watch teams of two pair off in homemade boats. Contestants must be at the reservoir by 8 a.m.

Remember veterans. 

Mattapoisett will hold its Memorial Day ceremony at 1:30 at Center School. A parade to the library and Town Wharf will follow the ceremony at the school. 

See library renovations.

The Elizabeth Taber Library will host a celebration of its new entranceway at 11 a.m. with artifacts from the Sippican Historical Society and crafts for children.

Tuesday, May 28

Take a Tiverton trip.

The Rochester Senior Center will host a trip to the Tiverton Casino from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.  Contact the Senior Center office to reserve a seat on the bus.

Give blood.

Tabor Academy will host a blood drive for Brigham and Women’s and Dana Farber in the parking lot at 242 Front Street. The drive will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and donating will take about 45 minutes. Participants can make an appointment by emailing cmoore@taboracademy.org with two preferred times. Donors must be 17 or older, bring a photo ID, and know the last 4 digits of their social security number and should eat before donating and hydrate well the day before and after.