Guide To Weekend Events in Greater Newburyport, September 24th – 26th

September 23, 2010

Each week we are continually amazed at how many activities and events occur throughout the Greater Newburyport and surrounding North Shore, Seacoast and Cape Ann regions. Weekends offer even more choices and selections to consider. If only we could find a way to clone ourselves so that we could attend more of these events!

Here is our guide to some of the featured events to explore this weekend, Friday, September 24th through Sunday, September 26th.

1. Ipswich Lions Chowderfest 2010, Ipswich Riverwalk, Saturday, September 25th from 12:00 pm (Noon) to 3:00 pm

Don’t know about you, but we can never turn away from an opportunity to attend a local chowderfest. On Saturday, September 25th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. crowds will once again gather at the historic Riverwalk in Ipswich (EBSCO parking lot) for the 2010 Ipswich Lions Chowderfest.

If you’re always looking forward to regional food, wine, and beer & ale tastings, make sure that you add the annual Ipswich Chowderfest to your calendar and sample some of the best local chowders made with local Ipswich and Essex shellfish!

Folks on the North Shore and beyond flock to Ipswich for its famous fried clams, seafood and of course delectable clam chowder. What better way to enter the Fall season than with an opportunity to, not only sample some of the best chowder around, but also become judge for a day?

Those attending pay a small fee to taste chowders from local restaurants and then vote for their favorites. About a dozen local restaurants serve up their best chowder to hundreds of hungry participants at an event that has become a North Shore tradition.

Sponsored by the Ipswich Lions Club, all proceeds are donated to local charities such as high school scholarships, programs for seniors, and the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Foundation.

2. The 7th Annual Newburyport Documentary Film Festival, Friday through Sunday, September 24th -26th.

The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival has quietly built up a strong and growing following for its diverse and wide-ranging offerings. Now in its seventh year, this unique festival has drawn critical praise from both industry professionals and local audiences. Preview some of the most intriguing new films from around the world, and hear from the artists who created them.

The three day film festival, which is presented by the Newburyport Film Society, occurs in downtown Newburyport with films being shown at the Firehouse Center For The Arts in Market Square and the Newburyport Screening Room on State Street.

This year’s film festival begins on Friday, September 24th and continues through Sunday, September 26th.

Enjoy a wide range of full length feature films and a collection of shorts.

The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival is presented by the Newburyport Film Society.

3. Amesbury Brew Fest At Amesbury Sorts Park, Saturday, September 25th, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Where: Amesbury Sports Park, 12 South Hunt Road, Amesbury, MA Tickets: $10.00

With over 100 different beers and plenty of delicious barbecue food, you can see how Amesbury Sport Park’s annual Brew Fest has been steadily increasing in popularity year to year.

This year Amesbury Sports Park will be hosting the 4th Annual Brew Fest on Saturday, September 25, from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Brew Fest, sponsored by WXGR and Bud Light, will feature up to 100 beers (just $10 for 10 samples), barbecue, OGO (Outdoor Gravity Orb) and summer tubing rides, and music by 6 live bands on an outdoor stage.

Last year the Brew Fest attracted nearly 1,400 people, and upwards of 2,000 people are expected to attend the all day event this year.

The Brew Fest will feature such crowd favorites as: Sweaty Betty, Lobster Ale, Pig’s Ear Brown Ale and Jack’s Pumpkin.

Entertainment:

Enjoy live music from the following bands: Michael Bernier and The Uprising (the headlining band), the Scott Barnett Band, the Dejas, 7 Mile Drive, McAlister Drive, and Beyond Reason.

OGO rides and Summer Tubing:

Aside from beer, BBQ and bands, the Brew Fest will feature OGO rides and summer tubing. The OGO (Outdoor Gravity Orb) is an 11- foot inflatable transparent sphere with another inflated sphere suspended inside it. Riders enter the orb and strap themselves into a harness, or enter the H2OGO with up to 3 people and 5 gallons of water and are pushed over the edge of an 800 foot grassy slope.

All rides will be operating from 12 pm to 5 pm, as weather permits.

Guests must be 21 or older unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian.

4. Visit Lowell’s Boat Shop, The Birthplace Of The American Dory, In Amesbury, MA.

When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 24th, 25th and 26th, 2010, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Lowell’s Boat Shop, 459 Main Street, Amesbury, MA

Come visit the birthplace of the legendary fishing Dory, Lowell’s Boat Shop, in Amesbury, MA and the oldest continuously working boat shop in America.

Founded by Simeon Lowell in 1793, the boat shop designed and produced some of the finest small fishing vessels used by American mariners. The shop is a “working museum” where visitors can see boats under construction. Located on the banks of the Merrimack River in the Point Shore section of Amesbury, Lowell’s Boat Shop is situated in a beautiful and classic New England riverfront setting.

Lowell’s Boat Shop is open for tours this weekend as part of TRAILS & SAILS 2010. Coordinated by the Essex National Heritage Commision, Trails & Sails raises regional awareness of Essex County’s resources, encourages visitation, and fosters stewardship and preservation of its heritage sites. It’s a great way to explore the many cultural, historic, and natural sites of Essex County during two weekends of FREE events featuring a variety of walks, guided hikes, sails, historical tours, and adventures

For more information about Lowell’s Boat Shop, call (978) 834-0050 or send an e-mail to: info@lowellsboatshop.com.

5. Stargazing – Explore The Night Sky With The North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club At Veasey Memorial Park, Groveland, Friday and Saturday, September 24th and 25th, from 9:00-10:00 pm; 10:00-11:00 pml 11:00-12:00 pm

This has been a great week for star and moon and planet gazing. Last night’s Harvest Full Moon and the closeness of the planet Jupiter to earth this year have led to some spectacular viewing opportunities.

If you always wanted to know how to read the night sky or just have the opportunity to look at stars and planets and the moon through a telescope, come and join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club at Veasey Memorial Park for an evening of Stargazing and outdoor night sky observation.

Telescopes will be provided on site. Of course this is a weather permitting event and requires relatively clear skies.

Location: 201 Washington St., Groveland. Take Rte 95 to Exit 54B (Rte 133) to Georgetown. Go straight through the lights at Georgetown center, (turns into Rte 97). Left on Salem St (Tea Garden Restaurant @ intersection). Turn left onto Washington St. Park entrance is on right. Park in Veasey Memorial parking lot. Telephone: 978-887-6082

6. Watch A Civil War-era Base Ball Game At Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, 5 Littles Lane, Newbury, Sunday September 26th, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Witness the game of “base ball” (two words in the 19th century) as it was played in 1861. Base ball in this period was a respectable game so the umpire may impose a fine for any inappropriate language or gambling. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and shout out HUZZAH for the home team.

Want another reason to watch the base ball game? Ipswich Ale (Mercury Brewing) will be providing free samples of their beer. Sponsored by the Essex Base Ball Organization and Spencer Peirce Little Farm.

7. Coast Guard Station Merrimack River Open House, Saturday, September 25th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The mouth of the Merrimack River has a well deserved and notorious reputation for bad water and treacherous seas. The river does its best to keep the US Coast Guard busy over the course of a year helping boaters out of harm’s way both inside and outside the river’s mouth.

On Saturday, September 25th, you can tour Motor Lifeboat Station Merrimack River, located at 65B Water Street, Newburyport. The station will host an open house event for the public o to come down and get a guided tour of the station, including the docks and a look at the Coast Guard’s state of the art boats.

If you haven’t toured the Merrimack River Station before, this is your chance. Many people don’t even realize that there is a Coast Guard Station just a short walk outside of downtown Newburyport as it is easy to miss when driving out to Plum Island from downtown Newburyport.

8. Ipswich Mills, Saturday, September 26th, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, EBSCO Publishing, 10 Estes Street, Ipswich MA

Nestled within downtown Ipswich are the mill buildings from the largest hosiery manufacturer of the 19th century. In 1828 the Heard family built a mill in Ipswich that has stood the test of time. From textiles in the 19th century to hosiery in the 20th century, when it was the Ipswich Hosiery Mill, the largest hosiery manufacturer in America.

Today it is the home to EBSCO Publishing, and you are invited to go inside this historic site along the banks of the Ipswich River. Visit their museum and view a mural of Ipswich history.