Start the Summer with a Weekend Full of Music, Events and Fun!
Saturday, June 14
9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Summer Lawn Fair at UU Church of Winchendon
126 Central Street
9:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. Strawberry Festival at IHM Church
52 Spruce Street
11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Summer Solstice Fair
Central Street and Clark YMCA
9:00 a.m.: Road Race; 11:00 a.m.: Parade
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Salsa & Sangria Sunset Social
Winchendon Community Park, 86 Ingleside Drive
Sunday, June 15
9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Strawberry Festival at IHM Church
52 Spruce Street
2:00 p.m. Winchendon Winds Concert at UU Church of Winchendon
126 Central Street
This Week's Winchendon News
Third Annual Founders Day Starts With Downpours, Ends With a Bang

Briezy Jane and the Hurricane send the storms flying
Photo by Dani Cutler

Attendees venture out into the open as the rain eases up
Photo by Dani Cutler
The 3rd Annual Founders Day celebration at the Winchendon Community Park at 86 Ingleside Drive took place on Saturday, June 7. Despite Mother Nature throwing some very wet kinks into the plans, participants had an enjoyable time, and the Atlas Fireworks show over Whitney Pond lit up the clearing skies at around 9:00 p.m.
The weather forecast over the previous week got gloomier by the day and some scheduled vendors and performers changed their plans. Early on Saturday morning, Winchendon Winds concert band, slated to be the first performers on the amphitheater stage at 12:00 noon, decided to play inside the Unitarian Universalist Church on Central Street, a very short distance from the Community Park. Announcements were made during their concert that the other Founders Day events at the Community Park were continuing "rain or shine."
At almost 12:00 noon on the dot, downpours of rain began. One Winchendon Winds player who had just driven to Winchendon from New Hampshire showed a photo he'd taken of what looked very much like an embryonic funnel cloud spiraling downwards (not unusual for southwestern New Hampshire). In the park, Founders Day performer Jared Moore picked up the open time slot at the amphitheater and played on the stage for nearly three hours, according to a volunteer who spoke with the Courier.
Vendors, volunteers, food trucks and attendees determinedly waited the weather out, including C & C Treats and Bakery, Uncle Joey's Cannolis, the Lickity Splitz ice cream truck, the Parks & Rec table selling swag, a raffle table, a table of children's activities, a vinyl crafter, and several more.

Vendors came prepared for whatever came down
Photo by Dani Cutler

Lickity Splitz and Uncle Joey's Cannolis sweetened it up
Photo by Dani Cutler
At around 9:00 p.m., the fireworks show began, fired from a barge on Whitney Pond behind the amphitheater as Anderson Daniels played to the appreciative crowd--as crowd it now was!
The weather may have done its darnedest to dampen Founders Day, but it couldn't dampen Winchendon's spirits, especially when fireworks and everyone's favorite food, drink and music are on tap! Many thanks go to the organizers at Winchendon Parks & Recreation, the volunteers who worked hard (and got wet) before, during and after, the Winchendon DPW and Police Department for their support, the musicians, vendors, and fireworks technicians.
Shaina Cunningham, Parks & Recreation Coordinator, said, "Despite early rain showers, the skies eventually cleared, and the park quickly filled with residents and visitors eager to enjoy the festivities. A wide variety of artisan vendors lined the pathways, offering handcrafted goods and local treasures. Food trucks and community favorites served up delicious fare, including crowd-pleasers from the Kiwanis Club, Lickity Splitz, Heavy's House, and Joey's Cannolis.
"Live performances brought energy and excitement to the day. Local talent Jared Moore kicked things off, followed by the soulful sounds of Briezy Jane and the Hurricane. As the evening settled in, the crowd gathered at the amphitheater for a rousing performance by country headliner Anderson Daniels, whose set concluded just as a spectacular fireworks display lit up the sky.
"The event was made possible thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Winchendon Parks and Recreation Commission, a team of volunteers, and generous community support. Their hard work transformed the park into a lively hub of entertainment and connection.
"Thank you to everyone who helped make Founders Day 2025 a memorable success--we look forward to seeing you again next year under the stars."
Founders Day 2025 was funded by the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, the Winchendon Cultural Council and many generous sponsors and donors. Dani Cutler, chair of the Winchendon Cultural Council, said, "Even with the rain coming down at the start, Winchendon didn't let that stop them from enjoying the Founders Day celebration. It was a last minute change, but people made it to the UU Church for Winchendon Winds, then the Community Park for more music, food, and fun. As the rain cleared, even more joined to celebrate our town's history and culture. An event such as Founders Day is an event the Cultural Council is proud to support. We can't wait for next year!"
A bit of history...
Founders Day started with the Grand Opening of the Winchendon Community Park and the Robinson Broadhurst Performing Arts Amphitheater on June 10, 2023. A vision of 10 years, the Community Park and amphitheater were special gifts to the town of Winchendon from the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, especially former Foundation President Charles "Lad" McKenzie. Architectural schematics were presented in 2019, but it took four years and a pandemic to see the park and amphitheater finally completed. The day-long celebration bash included a ribbon cutting, speeches from town and Robinson Broadhurst dignitaries, and performances by the Murdock High School Choir, dance troops from The Dance Center, a youth theatre group performing an original play, and local bands including Faceless Hoboes, Kilroy, Darren Bessett and Whiskey Johnson. It was capped off with Winchendon's first fireworks show since the town's 250th anniversary in 2014.
The event was such a rousing success that it was promptly made a Winchendon town holiday, with plans to repeat it every year in the second weekend of June.
For a complete report on the 2023 event, see "Amphitheater Grand Opening a Grand Slam in Town History" in the June 15-22 2023 edition of the Winchendon Courier.

Winchendon Winds plays as the rain pours down outside
Photo by Dani Cutler

Jared Moore plays in defiance of the rain at the park
Photo by Dani Cutler

The stars of the night, Anderson Daniels
Photo courtesy of Shaina Cunningham

Fireworks light up the night!
Photo courtesy of Shaina Cunningham
Winchendon Winds Marks Father's Day with a "Heroes" Concert on June 15

Photo by Inanna Arthen

Photo courtesy of Jill Nicholson Sackett
Winchendon Winds begins a three-concert series this Sunday, June 15, at 2:00 p.m. in the acoustically "live" church sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church, 126 Central Street. "Win Winds," founded by local music educator and musician Dr. Jon Nicholson, is a 40-piece, professional-level band featuring the full array of band instrumentation including brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Conductor Dr. Lindsay Bronnenkant, UMass Amherst music faculty, returns to the podium after her widely popular debut last year.
This Sunday is a musical tribute to "Heroes." Selections feature James Bond, Luke Skywalker, the Lone Ranger, John F. Kennedy, Man of La Mancha, the military and of course the "common man." Audiences will recognize the familiar strains of "Goldfinger," "Live and Let Die," "William Tell Overture," the original "Star Wars" series, "The Impossible Dream," and service songs for the military branches.
Concerts are free, thanks to generous support from nine area Local Cultural Councils, the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation, and various businesses and individuals. The concerts are family-friendly and young musicians are especially welcome. Refreshments will be sold on the lawn before the concert and at intermission.
Bring your dads out to a live concert full of recognizable tunes performed by one of the best wind ensembles in the region!
Sunset Socials Series Kicks off This Weekend with "Salsa & Sangria"

image from Sunset Socials
On Saturday, June 14, to wrap up a busy day of events in Winchendon, Sunset Socials will present the first of a series of "vibrant community events" at the Winchendon Community Park: "Salsa and Sangria", beginning at 6:00 p.m. This kickoff to summer will include a "happy hour" from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. with free admission, discounted food and non-alcoholic drinks.
The main event is ticketed, with ticket prices varying according to the entertainment offered and residency--Winchendon residents pay a lower price. Included are a Social Seminar on stage with interactive activities such as dance lessons and cocktail making at 7:00 p.m., followed by Matt Jensen & Combo Sabroso performing. The bar and food concessions close at 9:45 p.m. and the event ends at 10:00 p.m.
The cost for "Salsa & Sangria" is $10 for Winchendon residents and $15 for non-residents in advance, free for Winchendon Parks season ticket holders, and $20 at the gate. Refreshments will include Sangria, local IPAs and farm-fresh, locally sourced food.
Tickets for "Salsa & Sangria" are available at www.sunsetsocialsma.com/event/salsa-sangria-summer-kickoff-1/register.
On their website, www.sunsetsocialsma.com, Sunset Socials explains, "We are farmers, entertainers and community members who want to share this opportunity to celebrate our region's bounty of food, drinks, dancing and outdoor fun! The group of friends and professionals who bring you Sunset Socials are a group who have worked together for years bringing memorable family events and cruises. We are collaborating with Winchendon Parks and Recreation and iHeart Radio to bring this family festival once a month this summer in Winchendon." For information about volunteering or running a vendor booth, call 978-863-1010.
Future events on the schedule are:
July 12: "Neon Social"
August 9: "Summer Beach"
September 13: "Farm Harvest"
October 11: "Autumn Social"
Each event will offer a unique selection of drinks, foods, entertainment and activities. Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion! But all will feature "local treats and pastries, empanadas and farm fresh snacks. Picnic Baskets can be preordered with contents ranging from local produce, local cheeses and fresh bakery. Organic wine, Farm infused Sangria and Local Craft Beer along with regular bar favorites will be available for purchase to complement the picnic you select." Each event will also offer a "non-alcoholic botanical powerhouse drink" created to match the theme of the Social and the season.
Sunset Socials aren't just a party--they're designed to help attendees make friends, learn new skills and "journey through the best memories of our lives." And the first hour is free!
The Winchendon Community Park is located at 86 Ingleside Dr, Winchendon.
Level Up Your Summer at the Beals Memorial Library with Summer Reading

Meet some special animal friends at the Beals Memorial Library on Thursday, June 26, when Animal Adventures comes to visit for the Summer Reading Kickoff Party!
Photo courtesy of Beals Memorial Library
The Beals Memorial Library in Winchendon invites the whole community to get on board for this year's annual Summer Reading Club from June 23 to August 15! This year's theme is "Level Up at Your Library," which means its all about games! There will be fun programs, activities, stories, and more for the whole family to enjoy, including a Juggling Show & Workshop with performer Bryson Lang, a Winchendon history escape room, Giant Game Day, four game-themed Story Walks, and more! Sign ups begin on Monday, June 16, for this exciting eight-week program!
The Summer Reading Club is open to participants of all ages. Register at the library to receive your reading log and take part in the program. Read whatever you would like. Whether it's books, audiobooks, fanfiction, webtoons, newspapers, or reading to children, all types of reading counts! Log your reading and earn rewards! Those who complete the full reading log will also earn a chance to win the 2025 Summer Reading Club Grand Prize! Please note: all participants are eligible to receive only one reading log of prizes per person.
Finally, each week during the Summer Reading Club, the library's new dragon mascot, Paperback, will be playing hide and seek throughout the first floor of the library. Kids who play hide and seek with Paperback will get to earn a small prize from the dragon's treasure chest!
On Thursday, June 26, at 2:00 p.m., join the library for the Summer Reading Club Kickoff Party, featuring some furry, feathery, and scaly special guests courtesy of Animal Adventures! Celebrate the start of summer reading while getting to meet some interesting animals and hear some wild stories about them. Animal Adventures offers a unique learning experience to be enjoyed by all.
The Beals Memorial Library's Summer Reading Club's programs and events are sponsored in partnership with the Friends of the Beals Library, the Winchendon CFCE, the Winchendon Cultural Council, the Winchendon Public Schools and the See Beyond the Spectrum Initiative.
The library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. For more information, contact the library at 978-297-0300 or visit bealslibrary.org/summer.

Join yoga instructor, Chantal Froystein, this summer at the Winchendon library for some free morning yoga classes!
Photo courtesy of Beals Memorial Library
Free Yoga Classes at the Beals Memorial Library
Unwind, relax, and celebrate the beauty of yoga with instructor, Chantal Froystein, from Shadow Alchemy Wellness. Starting on June 17, this class will run on on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. All skill levels are welcomed! Mats and blocks are available, if needed. These classes are FREE and are open for adults and teens. Donations are gratefully accepted, but not required.
The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. For more information, contact the library at 978-297-0300 or visit their website at bealslibrary.org.
Woo Trucks and Winchendon Parks & Rec Are Doing It Again!
2025 Food Truck Festival and Battle of the Bands at Same Place, Different Time
The 2025 Food Truck Festival and Battle of the Bands, one of the most successful annual events at the G.A.R. Park next to the Old Murdock Senior Center, will rock out on Saturday, June 28--but at a different time this year. The festivities will begin at 12:00 noon and conclude at 7:00 p.m.
As a special feature of this year's Food Truck Festival Event, the Winchendon Community Connector plans to hold an official ribbon cutting for the town's new "microtransit" public transportation program, probably right at the beginning of the Festival at noon.
Robert Ziedelis, events manager for Woo Trucks, says, "The Winchendon Food Truck Festival is an annual community oriented, summer kick-off celebration. Easily accessible just off Rt. 12 or Rt. 202, this festival includes a multitude of your favorite food trucks, live musical performances from live bands in a 'Battle of the Bands' format, a Beer Garden pouring local craft favorites, as well as dozens of area artists and makers tables displaying their wares in a beautifully scenic, historic park setting. Bring along a folding chair or lay out a picnic blanket and enjoy the afternoon's festivities.
"WooTrucks is a food truck commissary, commercial kitchen, and base of operations for food trucks, caterers, bakers, and food entrepreneurs located at 67 Main Street, Boylston MA. Our fully permitted and approved facility to prepare food was established to foster a transparent, self-policing community of food trucks and food entrepreneurs practicing only the highest standards of customer service while maintaining strict adherence to health, sanitation and food codes. WooTrucks operates food truck festivals throughout the region and supplies food trucks to corporate clients, private businesses, breweries, academic institutions, city and town governments."
The event is sponsored by Winchendon Parks & Recreation, who say, "Join us for a day packed with delicious eats, live music, and fun for all ages! Enjoy tasty food from top food trucks, craft beer and wine, exciting games, and high-energy performances from local bands competing for the crown. You won't want to miss it!"
Anyone interested in a vendor table or volunteering for the event can get more information at www.eventeny.com/events/foodtruckfestivalandbattleofthebands-17886.
G.A.R. ("Grand Army of the Republic") Park is located at Grove Street and Murdock Avenue, next to the Old Murdock Senior Center. On GPS, search for the intersection of Grove Street and Murdock Avenue, or "Monument Park", Winchendon, MA, to make sure it finds the right park.