Family events in Worcester, MA

A special event offers no-cost adoptions for dogs older than one year at all four MSPCA adoption centers, as well as at partner shelters City of Boston Animal Care and Control, Lowell Humane Society, Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, Scituate Animal Shelter, and Worcester Animal Rescue League. From energetic adventure partners to mellow companions, many wonderful pups are ready to meet new families, and shelters are full, so this initiative helps them begin their next chapter. Adoption hours differ by location, so check each shelter’s website for current hours and information about the adoption process. Sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Discover farm-fresh goods and connect with local community organizations at the REC Farmers Market at Beaver Brook Park. This year’s vendors include Harper's Farm & Garden, Fay Mountain Farm, Juakumbah Farms, Bucket List Maple Syrup, and the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts (SEACMA) Mushroom Farm, with more vendors participating. All REC Farmers Markets accept cash and cards, SNAP and HIP benefits, and Senior and WIC Farmers Market coupons. On-site parking is available.

IndiHen brings its Indian-style fried chicken truck to Uhlman’s Ice Cream for a Friday food truck pop-up, serving punchy flavors with a distinctive spin. A newcomer this year from Framingham, the truck adds fresh energy to the local food truck scene. Enjoy savory chicken from the truck and pair it with ice cream for a simple, summery treat.

Marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, Ballet Magnificat! presents Anchored: The Pilgrim Story in Massachusetts. This original ballet traces the Pilgrims’ courage and faith, the dangers of their Atlantic passage, and the friendships that emerged with Native Americans, highlighting a legacy of religious liberty, personal responsibility, and the equality of all people that helped set the stage for independence. Ballet Magnificat! is recognized for passionate artistry, heartfelt worship, and refined technique, and its artists have performed in theaters, opera houses, concert halls, and church venues throughout America and Europe with works rooted in redemptive themes drawn from true stories. Created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims and their enduring influence on the Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence, Anchored features a libretto researched and written by a direct descendant of William Bradford, paired with choreography and music by Ballet Magnificat! The Pilgrims’ convictions about freedom and equality before God and under the law stand at the center of this dramatic retelling.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Immaculate Conception hosts the fifth annual Friends of the Poor Walk, with sponsorship from Quincy Mutual Insurance. This family friendly fundraiser builds support and awareness for neighbors experiencing homelessness, hunger, and financial hardship in the local community. Registration is available by email at svdp.icworc@gmail.com.

The library’s Storybook Garden returns with a fresh season of hands-on learning for kids. Just steps from the main entrance, this living classroom invites children to discover how food grows from seed to table through playful exploration. The Storybook Garden Club blends nature and science with topics such as botany, pollinators, nutrition, climate, and more. Each session starts with an engaging lesson indoors, then moves outside so participants can dig in, tend the beds, and put new knowledge to work among the plants. This program is designed for children ages 4 and up. Please come ready for outdoor activities, and consider bringing sunscreen, hats, aprons, and gardening gloves.