New Family Resources

On behalf of the Harvard Schools PTO we are so happy to have you and your family in town. We hope you will find Harvard and Devens to be the warm, welcoming and special community that we know it to be.  Below is some information that we wish we had had when we first moved to the area that we hope will be helpful as you get to know your way around. Please feel free to contact us about anything and everything!

 

The PTO New Family Liaison Committee,

 

HES Liaison, Shannon Boeckelman &  TBS Liaison, Alissa Weiss

Town Websites:

 

Town of Harvardharvard-ma.gov/

Harvard Public Library: harvardpubliclibrary.org

Hildreth Elementary School: hildreth.psharvard.org

The Bromfield School: bromfield.psharvard.org

 

Social Media:

 

Nextdoor: nextdoor.com

A town-specific website where address-verified residents have a forum to discuss events, sell items and ask questions to the community. 

 

Community Organizations:

 

Fivesparks: fivesparks.org

A community arts collaborative offering cultural and social experiences to the greater community.


Harvard Conservation Trust: harvardconservationtrust.org

Dedicated to preserving the unique character and natural resources of Harvard


Harvard Family Association: hfa.clubexpress.com

Connects and supports families with children ages 0 – 6


Harvard Lions Club: e-clubhouse.org/sites/harvardma

Connects residents through community service by supporting community programs, running fundraisers, helping families in need and making charitable contributions

 

Harvard Schools Trust: harvardschoolstrust.org

Provides Harvard Schools with educational enrichment and supplemental support

 

Harvard Favorites:

 

Harvard General Store: harvardgeneralstore.com/

Fruitlands Museum: thetrustees.org/place/fruitlands-museum/

Harvard Conservation Trails:  harvardconservationtrust.org/trails/

Carlson Orchards: carlsonorchards.com/

Westward Orchards: westwardorchards.com/

Doe Orchards: doeorchards.com/

 

Annual Events & Holidays: 

(Note that some of these events did not take place in 2020 and/or 2021 due to the pandemic but we hope to see them again soon!) 


The 4th of July Parade:  Organized by the 4th of July Committee, the 4th of July parade takes place down Mass Ave past the town common and kicks off a day of family field events in front of the library.


4th of July Fireworks: The fireworks take place around the 4th at Fruitlands Museum.  It's a must-attend event with spectacular views!  


Fall Fest: Hosted by the Lions Club in September on the library field this event features food, music, games, beer, cider and a lot of fun!  


The Halloween Parade: Hosted by the HFA this costume parade for younger children runs from the town and ends at the town common at a family event featuring seasonal activities for the kids.


Pumpkin Palooza: Hosted by Fivesparks, this Halloween event takes place at Carlsons and features pumpkin carving, food and fun.

 

Halloween Trick or Treating:  Trick or Treating takes place on Halloween, typically from 5 - 7, at the homes around the town common.  For this annual event residents donate candy through the police station and residents around the common go all out to make the event special for kids from Harvard and nearby towns.  Traditionally the Lions also host a fabulous tent in the common with hot dogs and popcorn for all.  Don't miss this wonderful small town tradition.


Winter Fest: Hosted by the Lions Club in the Winter at Fruitlands, this mostly outdoor event features snowy cider tasting, wassailing the apple trees (google it), live music, food and fireside festivities.


Santa's Lunch: Hosted by the Congregational Church, this event features local "elves" riding into town with Santa on the town fire engine and serving up lunch upstairs in the church while children have their photos taken with the man in red.  Meanwhile downstairs the 


Family Association Egg Hunt:  Hosted by the HFA, this great family event with activities for younger children happens on the town common around the Easter Holiday.

 

End of the Year Event: Hosted by the PTO, this event had a hiatus during the pandemic but should be back this June to help families celebrate the end of the school year.


 

Interested in staying up to date with town happenings?  Don't forget to read the HES and TBS newsletters, join the PTO to get the biweekly PTO Newsflash and keep an eye on Nextdoor.com


The New Family Liaison Committee periodically sends out information about other local happenings and resources.  Check out these links to learn more about some of the happenings that have been featured in the past....