Let’s celebrate another successful season growing food in our community! Join us at Oak to Ember in downtown Gloucester for a farm-fresh dinner, libations, and fun. We’ll be sharing stories of impact to highlight all we’ve achieved together, with a live fund-a-need auction where you can help power our work into 2026 and beyond.

Proceeds from this fun (and delicious!) evening support Backyard Growers’ school and community programs. Backyard Growers has been connecting people and communities with the resources, knowledge, and space they need to grow their own food for 15 years, most recently with the launch of the Backyard Growcery, a new farmers market in downtown Gloucester.

THANK YOU for making an impact. Our work is your work and we couldn’t do it without you.

The Gloucester Rotary will hold its annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Saturday, August 16, 2025, 7:30 am to 11:00 am in Stage Fort Park, located on Hough Avenue in Gloucester, MA.  This popular event takes place concurrently with the Gloucester Waterfront Festival, which is sponsored by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and is held in Stage Fort Park on Saturday-Sunday, August 16-17.

A special free parking area is available for Pancake Breakfast attendees.

Tickets will be available on the morning of the breakfast.   

Proceeds from the Pancake Breakfast will benefit local and international projects of the Gloucester Rotary.

World-Class Recognition in Your Own Backyard – Have you visited lately?

Earlier this month, Hammond Castle Museum was honored with three BONS Reader’s Choice awards, including Reader’s Choice for Best Museum. And just last week, we were named among the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide by TripAdvisor, based entirely on guest reviews.

Our August special events lineup includes something for everyone and as always, we’re open daily from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (last entrance at 2:45 PM).

And don’t forget about Gloucester Gratis Days, our free admission program for Gloucester residents. It’s our way of giving back to the community that has supported us for nearly a century, and it makes visiting the Museum easier than ever.

Have you explored our new website yet or dropped by to see what’s happening in your own backyard? There’s real momentum at the Museum right now. Whether it’s your first time visiting or your first time in years, we invite you to take a look at all the exciting programs underway.

Please join us on Friday, August 29th at 6pm on the stage overlooking Meetinghouse Green in front of the Unitarian Universalist Church, Gloucester, for Jim ‘n’ Tonic, a loud and wildly eclectic five piece band featuring a saxophonist and upright bass player. They are a cool and beloved group on Cape Ann and beyond who love to have a great time interacting with their audience as they crank out some great tunes!

Our non-profit receiving free-will donations for the evening will be HAWC, Healing Abuse/Working for Change, which provides an essential lifeline of safety and support to women and children at risk from domestic abuse, related injustice and economic peril.  Please consider giving generously when the donation box goes around! Meat & Sweet will be the food service for the evening serving up delicious and savory smoked meats and baked goods for all to enjoy!

Music on Meetinghouse Green presents ‘What Time is it, Mr. Fox?’ at 6:00pm on Friday, August 22nd performing on the stage overlooking Meetinghouse Green in front of the UU Church.  Well known in Boston’s underground cabaret scene, ‘What Time Is It Mr. Fox?’ has earned a loyal following with frequent performances in New York City and tours across the United States. Their original songs feature rich lyrical imagery that explore love, spirituality, sexuality, and identity, and their performances are infused with energy, honesty, and emotional authenticity.

Their unique brand of music and performance art has been adopted by popular singers, filmmakers, and repertory theaters. Band members include: Brian King, voice, piano, and acoustic guitar; Nathan Cohen, violin, trumpet, voice; Dennis Monagle, drums; Renee Dupuis, voice, keys, and melodica; and Joe Cardoza, upright bass.

Your free-will donations will benefit Action, Inc. Action, Inc. is a safety net for our community, offering a broad range of supportive services, including: fuel assistance and energy efficiency programs, case management, housing assistance and homelessness prevention, job training and education, and affordable housing. They are always ready to provide support when people need it most.  Please bring extra cash for when the buckets are passed around!  Crepes du Jour will be the food service for the evening serving up delicious sweet and savory crepes for all to enjoy!

On August 15, Hye Fusion will return to perform on the stage overlooking Meetinghouse Green in front of the UU Church.  Hye Fusion is a trio of classically trained musicians blending Western jazz favorites with the irresistible rhythms and melodies of their Middle Eastern backgrounds for a thrilling evening of East-meets-West fusion. Get ready for an unforgettable evening as these three virtuoso musicians take you on a unique musical journey that will get you up and line-dancing in a flash!

This evenings non-profit will be the Grace Center. The Grace Center offers essential services to those in need of a safe environment providing meals, case management, and referrals to partner agencies for behavioral health services, substance abuse treatment, medical care, job training, and housing. Founded on principles of acceptance, hospitality, and opportunity, it serves as a day resource center that connects individuals to the support they need to thrive in the community.  Crepes Du Jour will be our food vendor for the evening offering delicious sweet and savory crepes! Don’t forget to bring your folding chair to enjoy the music from the green! 

Please join us on Friday, August 8^th in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church 50 Middle Street for Gloucester’s Willie ‘Loco’ Alexander as he shares his legendary talent as a singer, songwriter and keyboardist. With his roots in Boston’s punk rock scene of the 70’s and 80’s, Willie’s musical career has flourished for more than 50 years. Whether as a band member with the Lost, Bagatelle, Grass Menagerie and the post-Lou Reed Velvet Underground, or as front man for his own series of bands, Willie’s enduring popularity is a reflection of his unique musical voice and artistic vision. A true artist, Willie has expanded his work to other mediums including soundtracks for local filmmaker Henry Ferrini, collage and painting.

The non-profit for this event is The Open Door, who works directly in the Cape Ann community and who alleviates the impact of hunger in our community by connecting people to good food, advocating on behalf of those in need, and engaging others in the work of building food security.    Our food vendor for the night will be the Lobster Roller, serving up delicious lobster rolls and seafood for all to enjoy.

Friday, August 1st at 6:00pm marks the return of our fantastic local band, Goddesses in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church 50 Middle Street!  Tony and Samantha Goddess, with their great band, always rock the Meetinghouse outdoor stage with popular favorites. Goddesses repertoire spans the roots of rock to its pinnacle and beyond to deliver a non-stop performance that will have you on your feet, singing along, and wanting more. Headlined by powerhouse couple Tony and Samantha Goddess on vocals and electric guitar, the Goddesses features Dave Sag on bass, Steve Chaggaris on drums, and John Cameron on keys.

This will be a perfect evening for you to enjoy Goddesses delivering a non-stop performance that will have you on your feet, singing along, and wanting more.

Tonight your free-will donations will go to support The Gloucester Education Foundation. GEF drives innovation, encourages creativity, expands student opportunities and empowers educators to strengthen teaching and learning in the Gloucester Public School District.                                           

Meat & Sweet returns with delicious treats for your picnicking delight so bring a folding chair, blanket and some extra cash for when the buckets go around to raise money for GEF.