Happenings

Governor awards Marion Institute with solar power grant

MARION – The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded the Marion Institute $135,700 for a 17.5 kW AC solar system. It is estimated the system will save an estimated $5,000 each year. The Marion Institute based in Marion is a non-profit that works to...

Buzzards Bay Music Festival to return to Marion

Various musicians will fill the Fireman Performing Arts Center for the Buzzards Bay Music Festival. File photo

MARION — World-class musicians will grace the stage at this year’s Buzzards Bay Musicfest. The free five-concert series will be held July 15-19 in the Fireman Performing Arts Center in Hoyt Hall on the Tabor Academy campus. Before the concerts...

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club to host Taste of Mattapoisett

MATTAPOISETT — Get a taste of the town with the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club on Tuesday, July 14. Taste of Mattapoisett will run rain or shine from 5-7 p.m. under the Lions Club tent in Shipyard Park. There will be food from local restaurants and...

July events at Rochester Historical Society

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Historical Society will host multiple events in July. The first event is a members only preview of a new exhibit called "Rochester and the Revolution". The exhibit will open on July 15 at 5:30 p.m. after a short...

Marion Concert Band to hold Interactive children’s concert

MARION — The Marion Concert Band will continue its Friday concert series with a special interactive show for kids. The band will hold a young people’s concert Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m. Children in the audience will have an opportunity to play...

Art show on American 250th anniversary opens soon at Marion Art Center

MARION — The Marion Art Center will soon open its newest exhibition, “Declaration and Dialogue: Reflections on 250 years”. The show, which opens Friday, July 10, features work from over 20 artists inspired by the milestone. Artists were invited to...

Sippican Lands Trust to host poker paddle fundraiser

MARION — Poker players can paddle for prizes at the Sippican Lands Trust’s Tuesday, July 28 event. From 4-6 p.m., boaters will visit stations across the water to pick up poker cards, with a bring-your-own picnic to follow. There will be prizes for...

Mattapoisett Lions to host annual Harbor Days Celebration

Harbor Days will bring plenty of food and fun to Mattapoisett. File photo

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Lions Club will celebrate the community and raise money for charitable causes during its annual Harbor Days festival. Harbor Days is a multi-day event featuring painting classes, a triathlon, a band concert,...

Vacation Bible School to be hosted at Rochester Congregational Church

ROCHESTER — The Rochester First Congregational Church will be hosting Vacation Bible School from Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24. All children from ages 3-years-old to 12-years-old are invited to participate. School will take place from 8:30...

Mattapoisett to honor 250th anniversary of reading of Declaration of Independence

MATTAPOISETT — The Declaration of Independence was first read in Massachusetts on July 18, 1776. Now, 250 years later, the Mattapoisett Library will celebrate the event’s anniversary with a public reading on the same day as part of Harbor Days....

Marion Town Clerk receives Honor Roll

MARION — Cathy Barker has been named to the Municipal Clerk Honor Roll, earning the distinction with the highest number of nominations in Massachusetts. The honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding service and dedication to the...

The Sippican Woman’s Club awards $15,600 in scholarships to students

MARION — The Sippican Woman’s Club announced they awarded $11,100 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors who reside in Marion. In addition, the group has awarded $4,500 in renewal or continuing education scholarships to residents of...

Rochester Land Trust receives grant for accessible trails

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Land Trust received a $44,000 MassTrails grant to make one of its trails more accessible. The funds will be used to install a gravel path with several benches and a picnic table on the Church’s Wildlife trail on Marion...

Marion Natural History to host childrens' programs

MARION — The Marion Natural History Museum will host two programs in August for children and families. Birds of the World. Bethany Boucher of Amazing Animal Ambassadors will present a live animal program featuring birds from around the world Monday,...

Marion Natural History Museum to present the Secret World of Fireflies

MARION — The Marion Natural History Museum will host a program on fireflies Wednesday, July 15, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fireflies have existed for an estimated 75 to 130 million years, sharing the Earth with dinosaurs long before artificial light...

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club to host storytime in memory of past club president

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club invites local children and their families to a special storytime at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Wednesday, July 8 at 10:30 a.m. in memory of former MWC president and children’s librarian, Kate...

Three singer-songwriters to perform at Mattapoisett Museum

MATTAPOISETT - The Mattapoisett Museum located at 5 Church St., will present a special concert Thursday, July 16, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. featuring singer-songwriter Moe Dixon, joined by local favorites Seth Asser and Gary Brown for an evening of song...

Mattapoisett Museum opens exhibition celebrating historic swordfish weathervane

MATTAPOISETT - The Mattapoisett Museum, 5 Church St., will open a new two-year exhibition celebrating the town's iconic swordfish weathervane Thursday, July 9, at 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend the opening celebration. The swordfish...

Marion Concert Band opens season with Independence Day Concert

MARION - The Marion Concert Band will open its 2026 concert season Friday, July 3, with a program of patriotic music celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. The concert, under the direction of Tobias Monte, will be held at...

Buzzards Bay Musicfest Offers Free Shuttle Service for July Concerts

MARION - The Buzzards Bay Musicfest will provide free shuttle service for its upcoming concerts on Wednesday, July 15, Friday, July 17, and Sunday, July 19 at the Fireman Performing Arts Center. Parking will be available at the Benjamin D. Cushing...

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with 4th of July events all weekend

The week of July 4 is packed with events and celebrations dedicated to honoring the 250th anniversary of America. The towns of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester will host a variety of events. On Friday, July 3 fireworks and beach celebrations kick...

Town of Marion Seeks Input to Help Shape Future of Harbor and Waterways

MARION — The Town of Marion is inviting residents, boaters, waterfront property owners, business owners, fishermen and visitors to help shape the future of the community's harbor and waterways by participating in a public survey as part of the...

St. Philip’s summer season begins

MATTAPOISETT — St. Philip’s Begins its 142nd Summer Season on Sunday, June 28. St. Philp’s Episcopal Church, located next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett, opens for their 142nd year with clergy visiting each week through Sunday, Sept. 6....

Kids' programs through the summer with the Mattapoisett library

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett library will host a variety of programs for kids all summer. Summer reading. The Kids' Summer Reading Program officially starts on June 23. All of the library’s summer reading events are free and open to the public,...

Swindlers and stories for teens and adults at the Mattapoisett library

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Library will be hosting many summer events. Picnic book club. The first Picnic Book Club will be Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m. on the library lawn. Bring any book you have read or are currently reading to discuss. Enjoy...

Unplugged Concert Rescheduled at the Marion Art Center

MARION — The Unplugged: show featuring Matt Richard and Paul Del Nero, originally scheduled for May, has now been rescheduled for July 24. There will be two separate performances during the night, and each set will last about an hour. Find a spot...

Read iconic Frederick Douglass speech together

MARION — The Marion Art Center will present a public reading of Frederick Douglass’s 1852 speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” A diverse group of readers from the SouthCoast region will read an abridged version of Douglass’s famous...

Arts in the Park to return

MARION — Arts in the Park returns on Saturday, July 11 from 10 to 4 p.m. at Bicentennial Park, located at the corners of Spring and Main streets in Marion. The event sees a select group of artists and artisans who apply for review by the MAC’s...

Mattapoisett Town Band summer series begins

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Town Band will begin the 2026 season on July 1 with a Fourth of July patriotic spectacular concert, celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. This will be the first concert in an eight-week...

Tinkhamtown chapel tours this July

MATTAPOISETT — On Sunday, July 5 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., the Tinkhamtown Chapel will be holding an Open House. Drop by to learn the history of the Chapel, see the recent repainting and stenciling of the interior and talk to members of the Chapel...

Mattapoisett Yacht club race results

MATTAPOISETT — Winds were strong on Tuesday, June 16 at the Mattapoisett Yacht Club race. The winds were too strong for the Ensign fleet to race. On Wednesday, June 17 the wind was perfect for the bigger Performance Handicap Racing Fleet boats to...

Old Rochester art student wins sticker contest

MATTAPOISETT — The winner of the Mattapoisett Land Trust Sticker Design Contest is visual arts student Grace Victoria from Old Rochester Regional High School. The design for the new Mattapoisett Land Trust sticker is a circular collage with four...

Traffic and parking plans for Marion’s July 3 Fireworks Celebration at Silvershell Beach

MARION - Town officials are urging residents to celebrate safely this upcoming Fourth of July weekend and ask motorists to follow traffic and parking guidelines for the July 3 Fireworks Celebration at Silvershell Beach. The Marion Fireworks...

Soup-er appreciation

MARION — Over the past seven months, Meg Albert and Patty Nicholson have prepared close to 2500 quarts of soup to Damien's Food Pantry thanks to the time and donations of community members. The duo raised over $10,000 for their culinary project,...

Filmmakers to document legacy of Nolan Gibbons at 6th annual NolanFest

MARION — For the sixth iteration of NolanFest, documentary filmmakers from Los Angeles, California will travel to Marion to attend and film the festival. Held Saturday, June 27 from 4-9 p.m. at Silvershell Beach, the free event will honor the life...

Heroes Cup to bring back tennis for a cause

MARION — The 2026 Heroes Cup will return to the Sippican Tennis Club on Saturday, June 27 to Monday, June 29 with a bigger prize and expanded competition. The tennis tournament combines athletics with supporting area veterans and military families,...

Summer is on! Mattapoisett library children's events

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Library will be hosting summer events for children. Summer reading. The Kids' Summer Reading Program officially starts on June 23. All of the library’s summer reading events are free and open to the public, so...

Summer programs with the Mattapoisett library

MATTAPOISETT — The library is hosting multiple programs and author talks this summer. Quill and ink. Register for a Quill & Ink Program with Martha Washington on June 23at 2 p.m. and try quill and ink writing. Abigail Adams. Residents can also see...

Hear the bells ring with the Rochester Historical Society

ROCHESTER — In preparation for Freedom Bells on July 4, Russ Keeler and Wendy Keeler climbed into the attic of the museum formerly known as the East Rochester Congregational Church and oiled and greased the bell cast in 1872. The Historical Society...

Summer lobster roll and bake sale

MARION — The First Congregational Church of Marion is hosting a Summer Lobster Roll and Bake Sale. This fundraising event takes place on Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Penny Pinchers Exchange at 39 Main Street. Lobster Rolls,...

Summer events, author talks at the Elizabeth Taber Library

MARION — The Elizabeth Taber Library will be hosting multiple events for all ages through the summer. Whisper in the Waves. Kids and adults can enjoy conversations with local authors as part of summer reading On Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m., Dianne...

Summer reading kickoff at the Elizabeth Taber library

MARION — Summer Reading at the Elizabeth Taber Library begins on Monday, June 22 with our Summer Kickoff event between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Kids of all ages can sign up for summer reading, enjoy a sweet treat, and participate in activities from the...

Deadline extended for entry for America’s 250th anniversary show

MARION – The deadline for entry to the Marion Art Center’s juried show Declaration snd Dialogue has been extended to June 22. The show will soft open on July 10, with an artists’ reception on Friday, July 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. Early submissions...

Grace Pond All Access Path to be dedicated to Steven Bowman

MATTAPOISETT — The public is invited to join the Mattapoisett Land Trust in celebrating its new “All Access Path” at Grace Pond on Saturday June 20 at 10 a.m. The Council on Aging will be providing a van to the event. The Mattapoisett Land Trust...

Donation Days at The Elizabeth Taber Library

MARION — The Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library are seeking donations on the following days for its annual upcoming summer book sale. The sale will take place on Saturday, June 20, Saturday June 27, Saturday July 11, Saturday July 25 and...

Mattapoisett Yacht Club Race Results for June 10

MATTAPOISETT — The Tuesday Night Ensign Races were cancelled due to high winds. On Wednesday the winds were strong but fine for the bigger PHRF fleet. In Class A Kindred Spirits took first place over Restless. In third place was Surprise followed...

Silvershell beach to reopen

MARION — Silvershell Beach officially opens for the summer season on Saturday, June 20, with seasonal lifeguards on duty through late August. Parking Stickers are required and are available for Marion and Rochester residents. Marion residents must...

Mattapoisett Land Trust Awards Blanche B. Perry Scholarship to Linden White

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Land Trust announced that Linden White has been awarded its 2026 Blanche B. Perry Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a Mattapoisett senior planning to pursue environmental studies in a four-year university...

Hear the bells ring with the Rochester Historical Society

Marion to hold Independence Day parade

MARION — The Independence Day Parade will roll into Marion on Saturday, July 4 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Marion Town House. Participants should be at the field behind the Town House beginning...