The Splash, Mash and Dash, Lincoln’s triathlon for kids ages 5-14 on Saturday, June 24 from 8–11:30 a.m. is the perfect race for a first-time triathlete. The swim/bike/run event takes place at the Codman Pool; the older you are, the farther you go! Information about the race can be found at www.kidstri.net. There are T-shirts, goody bags and medals for every participant plus awards and raffle prizes. Entry fees are $30 per person (maximum $90 per family) before race day and $40/$120 maximum on race day. For maximum family discount, please contact ldumont@lincnet.org. Packet pickup is Friday, June 23 from 12:30–6 p.m. in Hartwell B Pod. Click here to register.
See this Parks and Recreation page for details.
Always wanted to learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube? Now’s your chance! Learn about “speed cubing” and how to solve a 3×3 cube at workshops hosted by the Lincoln Public Library on Mondays, July 10, 17, and 24 from 6–8 p.m. Best for ages 8+. Participants are encouraged to sign up for all three sessions. Registration required as space is limited; email dshaver@minlib.net to register. Made possible by the Friends of the Lincoln Library.
The Food Project invites everyone to its annual Farm Lunch on Wednesday, July 12 at the intersection of Baker Bridge Road and Route 126. Learn informally about TFP’s mission and programming, including through conversations with teenage members of Root Crew, professional farmers, and regional directors. Arrive by noon for a walking tour of the farm. A complimentary buffet lunch including vegetarian options featuring items from the farm will be provided at 12:30 p.m. as everyone gathers at picnic tables or under the pavilion. While philanthropic support of The Food Project is always welcomed, there is no expectation of a donation associated with these community building events. Due to limited capacity, RSVP is required; email jsoto@thefoodproject.org.
The Tour de Codman will start at Codman Farm on Sunday, Sept. 10 and will take cyclists on a nearly 12-mile loop through Lincoln along roads and paths, featuring stops at three remote pastures where farm staff and volunteers will give a short talk on the farm’s sustainable, pasture-based agriculture before returning to the farm for coffee, cider and donuts. We welcome all ages but cyclists must be comfortable maintaining a 10-12 mph pace along Lincoln’s roads. The route will spend as much time as possible on bike paths and quiet roads. Any bike in good working order should suffice. Bring your own water and snacks for the route, and don’t forget your helmet (required). The ride leader will have basic tools but riders should plan to be self-sufficient. The total time for the ride, with stops, should be under two hours. Click here for more information and registration.
The Lincoln Garden Club invites anyone interested in joining the club to come to a wine and cheese party on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. to meet members and socialize. Committee chairs will be there to answer questions about what the club does. Please email belinda.gingrich@gmail.com to RSVP and get the location. To learn more about the club’s activities, visit www.lincolngardenclub.org.
This fall, it couldn’t be easier to support pollinators, provide overwinter shelter for amphibians, nurture the soil, improve water retention, and drawdown carbon. Join us on the first day of fall for “Leave the Leaves: A Zoom Introduction & Conversation on Soil & Climate Benefits” by Lincoln soil microbial ecologist Dr. Rachel Neurath to learn about the benefits of leaving the leaves on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. And save the date for the Lincoln Garden Club’s public meeting on November 7. Kathy Connolly will give a presentation entitled “Leave the Leaves, Save the Stems.” Organized by Lincoln Common Ground and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust in collaboration with the Lincoln Garden Club and Codman Community Farms. Click here to register.
The 11th annual Scarecrow Classic 5K kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. at Lincoln Station. This community road and trail run, which supports LLCT’s conservation mission, wind through scenic fields and forests, ending the morning with a cider donut. This year, LLCT is hosting magician Cedric Purcell to entertain guests before the awards ceremony. LLCT strongly encourages pre-registration by October 1 to guarantee participants get their desired shirt size. Click here for more information and registration. Same-day registration opens at 8:00 a.m. on race day.
LincFam welcomes new and expecting parents to a meetup for families with children under 2 or expecting a child (both parents and children are welcome) on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 3:30 p.m. Meet at the commuter parking lot next to Donelan’s to walk the Codman trails. No RSVP required. If you’d like to join the list for information on future events and meetups, click here.
Celebrate the freedom to read with a conversation between young people and their caregivers at two discussion groups during Banned Books Week at the Lincoln Public Library. On Monday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., children’s librarian Debbie Leopold will facilitate a talk for kids age 4+ about Answers in the Pages by David Levithan. Email dleopold@minlib.net to register.
Lincoln author Ray Shepard (A Long Time Coming) will host a session with middle schoolers and caregivers on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. to talk about Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Email sfeather@minlib.net to register.
Codman Community Farms’ annual Harvest Feast returns with a classic pig roast, bluegrass music from The New Grownups, and fun on the farm on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 5–9 p.m. There will be pulled pork family meals and apple crisp hot out of the Codman kitchen, plates and cutlery, plus a tent over the front pasture, table seating and Solo stoves to keep warm. Bring a picnic blanket, other side dishes your family might like to eat (not potluck), and drinks. Family meals include Codman pasture-raised pork, cornbread and coleslaw, plus apple crisp and vanilla ice cream. Family meals start at $60; click here to order.
Join in the fun with old-fashioned family and children’s games at Codman’s Harvest Fair on Sunday, Oct. 1 from noon–4 p.m. Activities include bingo in the sugar shack, a pie-eating contest, rooster run, lots of games, (mostly) Codman-grown food, music, and more. Children’s admission bracelets are $20, which includes ice cream. Kids under 3 are free. Click here to skip the line and order in advance.
The Lincoln Public Library presents a music performance for children and families by Sulinha’s Trio on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 10:30–11:15 a.m. in the Tarbell Room. Originally from Brazil, Sulinha Boucher’s trio plays bossa nova, baiao, and other styles on Brazilian instruments like berimbau and bandolin as well as acoustic guitar and percussion. No registration necessary. For all ages.
The fifth annual Brain Games cornhole tournament and family fun day on Sunday, Oct. 15 from noon–5 p.m. in Pierce Park. Live music, local beer, magician Ed Popielarczyk, raffle prizes, and the Clover food truck! There is no cost to attend the event. Food and beverages are available for purchase — everything else is simply whatever you would like to donate. Please spread the word, and invite your friends and family.
Brain Games is the Doo family’s annual fundraiser benefiting moyamoya research at Boston Children’s Hospital in honor of the care received by their daughter, who was diagnosed with the rare brain disease moyamoya in June 2019 and has had three surgeries since. Their goal this year is to raise $100,000 to continue funding her surgeon’s research, where 100% of the event’s proceeds go.
Tales of the Night, the annual family-friendly, nature-oriented spooktacular at Drumlin Farm, returns on Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27 from 6:30–9 p.m. Activities range from “not so spooky” to “very spooky,” making Tales of the Night great for all ages. The wildlife sanctuary’s pathways will be candlelit to set the mood, so attendees will be able to spot the illuminated jack-o-lantern display. And don’t be surprised to wander into a story along the Nursery Rhyme Trail! Haunted Hayrides will explore Boyce Field. A variety of wildlife “ambassadors” will also be joining the party, including tarantulas and scorpions as special Halloween guests. Snacks will be available, as will secret “Witches Brew” for the (blood)thirsty. (This concoction may taste like apple cider to young attendees.)
Proceeds from the event ($17 members/$20 nonmembers) provide critical support for Mass Audubon’s nature education and conservation programs. Admission is free for children 2 and younger — and coming dressed in costumes is encouraged! Register and learn more here, or visit massaudubon.org/tales.
Tales of the Night, the annual family-friendly, nature-oriented spooktacular at Drumlin Farm, returns on Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27 from 6:30–9 p.m. Activities range from “not so spooky” to “very spooky,” making Tales of the Night great for all ages. The wildlife sanctuary’s pathways will be candlelit to set the mood, so attendees will be able to spot the illuminated jack-o-lantern display. And don’t be surprised to wander into a story along the Nursery Rhyme Trail! Haunted Hayrides will explore Boyce Field. A variety of wildlife “ambassadors” will also be joining the party, including tarantulas and scorpions as special Halloween guests. Snacks will be available, as will secret “Witches Brew” for the (blood)thirsty. (This concoction may taste like apple cider to young attendees.)
Proceeds from the event ($17 members/$20 nonmembers) provide critical support for Mass Audubon’s nature education and conservation programs. Admission is free for children 2 and younger — and coming dressed in costumes is encouraged! Register and learn more here, or visit massaudubon.org/tales.
Come to the fourth annual Sinister Spectacular at Lincoln-Sudbury High School on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 1-3 p.m. Halloween-themed games and crafts will be hosted by our students (outside if weather permits; in the cafeteria if it doesn’t). This event is best for preschool through elementary kids. Costumes not required but encouraged. $5 entry and refreshments for sale. Email danielle_weisse@lsrhs.net with any questions.
Spend a crisp fall morning with your family in the Sculpture Park and complete a series of gently ghoulish activities designed for preschoolers and toddlers and their caregivers. Explore in the morning mist, create a creepy crawly park creature, and work with educators to explore spiders through a collaborative rope web installation and sculptures inspired by the eight-legged arachnids. Costumes encouraged and all ages welcome. Preregistration is required — click here for details.