Ooh la la! Get ready for a fabulously fancy afternoon at the Sawyer Free Library!
On Wednesday, October 22, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., join Robin Preiss Glasser, the bestselling illustrator of the beloved Fancy Nancy books, for a sparkling celebration of creativity, confidence, and charm.
Attendees of all ages are encouraged to dress in their fanciest outfits (costumes welcome—it’s almost Halloween!) and enjoy an afternoon full of glitter and giggles as Robin greets guests with hand-drawn butterflies, shares her inspiring journey from professional ballet dancer to celebrated illustrator, reads one of her favorite stories on the big screen, and teaches everyone the art of “banana walking.” Afterward, stick around for crafts, book signings, and plenty of fancy fun!
This free program is perfect for all ages. Registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org
About the Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser Robin Preiss Glasser wore tiaras and tutus when she danced as a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Now she happily spends her days in jeans, drawing. She has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including the now-classic Fancy Nancy series. In 2013, she won the Children’s Choice Book Award for Best Illustrator of the Year for Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet.
Step into the world of medieval and Renaissance culture at Hammond Castle Museum, where the castle itself provides a uniquely dramatic backdrop for a magical day steeped in history and fantasy in a stunning setting. This year, we are thrilled to host James B. Jones and Shelley Wolfe of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum as our Honorary King and Queen!
Experience the excitement of The Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword as they return with their high-energy armored combat demonstrations, bringing the medieval battlefield vividly to life. Enjoy captivating performances from the L.I.A.R.s, who will fill the air with sea shanties, alongside a hulahoop artist, a storyteller, a wandering harpist, a bubble faery, and other enchanting entertainers.
New this season, our kids’ tent offers little princes and princesses a craft for hands-on fun. Cosplay dress-up is encouraged, but weapons of any kind are prohibited and will not be permitted on campus. With more vendors and food trucks than ever, this year’s Faire is bigger, better, and more magical than before.
RequiredOff-Site Parking & Free Shuttle Information: Free parking will be available at Stage Fort Park (24 Hough Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930), with complimentary White Beauport Shuttles, generously sponsored by Townsend Energy, running between the park and the Museum from 8:45 AM to 5:15 PM. On-street parking on Hesperus Avenue is prohibited. On-site parking is reserved exclusively for guests with mobility needs and is not guaranteed.
Your admission includes access to explore parts of the interior of the museum, free access to all scheduled entertainment. *Vendor services are not included.)
Little ones ages 4 and under are free but do require a reserved ticket, and kids ages 5 – 12 are $10 and adults are $35. Hammond Castle Museum Member savings apply. Proceeds from this event will support the ongoing restoration of the Museum and STEAM-based programming.
The Sawyer Free Library is inviting the entire community to join in a fun-filled day of discovery, creativity, and history-making at its Community Celebration & Open House on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester.
As part of the festivities, the Library is launching a Library Card World Record Attempt — aiming to break the current record of 1,922 library card sign-ups in a single day. 🎯 New and renewing cardholders will receive a limited-edition commemorative Sawyer Free Library card as a keepsake from this exciting moment.
“A Library for Everyone” celebration marks the grand reopening of the newly renovated and expanded Sawyer Free Library, now a vibrant and inclusive center for learning, imagination, and community connection.
In addition to the record attempt, attendees can explore the library’s transformed spaces and enjoy live music including Gloucester Student Band, engaging presentations, children’s programs, tech demos, collaborative art projects, Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana, a visit from the Boston Red Sox Wally the Green Monster and much more—with activities and prizes designed for all ages.
Everyone is welcome to attend, have fun, and help make history! Details: sawyerfreelibrary.org
After nearly two years of renovation, expansion, and modernization, the Sawyer Free Library is thrilled to welcome the community back to its historic home at 2 Dale Avenue in the heart of Gloucester!
Join us for a special Ribbon Cutting Celebration on:
Friday, September 5, 2025 3:00 – 4:30 PM School Street Entrance, Sawyer Free Library
Be part of this once-in-a-generation moment as we unveil your newly reimagined 21st-century library—a vibrant, inclusive space built for learning, creativity, and connection.
Enjoy remarks, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, a performance by the Cape Ann Youth Chorus, and light refreshments.
This rain-or-shine event is free and open to all—come celebrate with neighbors, friends, and fellow library lovers as we turn the page to an exciting new chapter!
Don’t Miss the Fun! Come back the next day for our Community Open House on Saturday, September 6 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring musical performances, activities, and family-friendly fun for all ages! Stay tuned for even more details or visit sawyerfreelibrary.org!
🎉 Please join us in celebrating the grand reopening of the newly renovated and expanded Sawyer Free Library — an inspiring, inclusive space created for our whole community. 🎉
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Friday, September 5 | 3:00 PM Celebrate the official opening of your newly transformed Sawyer Free Library! Remarks | Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting | Refreshments Performance by Cape Ann Youth Chorus Open to All | Rain or Shine
Community Celebration & Open House “A Library for Everyone” Saturday, September 6 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Free and Open to All
Come tour the new library spaces at 2 Dale Avenue and enjoy music, activities for all ages, and more!
Saturday Event Highlights:
Library Card World Record Attempt Help us break the record for most sign-ups in a single day! All new and renewing cardholders receive a limited-edition commemorative library card.
Library Passport Adventure Explore the new Library and collect stamps and win prizes.
Special Guests & Giveaways • Wally the Green Monster from the Red Sox (12–1 PM) • Enter to win a signed 2025 Boston Bruins jersey
Art, History & Design Events • Artist Talk: Leslie Bartlett on the Library’s Cape Ann Quarries mural (10:30 AM) • Expert Talk: GreenScapes in Focus with landscape architect Lisa Giersbach (1:00 PM) • Timeline Cape Ann: Sawyer Free Library by Kory Curcuru of 1623 Studios documentary screening (12 & 2:30 PM) • Inaugural Art Exhibition in Matz Gallery • Zine-making and collaborative art projects
Explore & Discover • Tech demos in the Digital Learning Lab (podcast studio & more) • Local History Treasures exhibit and Gloucester Timeline Demos • “The Librarian Is In” booth (10 AM–12 PM) • Photo Booth for keepsake snapshots (11 AM–2 PM)
Live Music in the Reading Lounge • Highland Avenue Trio (10 AM–12 PM) • Steve Lacey String Duo (12–2 PM)
Family-Friendly Fun • Face painting, LEGO play, and STEM activities • Strega Mama Story Hour (11 AM) • Playful Engineers Program (2:00 PM) • “Teen Zone” Ribbon Cutting (10:30 AM) • T-shirt Dyeing (11 AM–1 PM) • Mario Kart Tournament (2–4 PM, signup required)
Food Trucks On-Site (in Library Parking Lot) • Pizza by Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana • Ice cream from SuperStar Ice Cream
Whether you’re a longtime patron or discovering the Sawyer Free Library for the first time, this celebration is for you!
Come experience YOUR new library—reimagined, renewed, and ready to inspire.
Rhiannon Hurst & Friends Music on Meetinghouse Green, July 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Cape Ann couldn’t be more proud of these rising stars who will share their exceptional talent as a quartet in an evening of unforgettable Jazz in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church 50 Middle Street.
Rhiannon Hurst earned some serious respect in the Jazz world even before she graduated high school. She was one of four graduating seniors to receive the Excellence in Music Award from the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. She was also the recipient of a prestigious 2021 National Young Arts Foundation award in Jazz voice for her caliber of artistic achievement. Her professional engagements have ranged from Boston’s Symphony Hall and the State Room to the North Shore’s favorite restaurants. Join us for this incredible performance by Rhiannon Hurst and friends!
Your free-will donations tonight will benefit Pathways for Children, who nurtures children and supports families impacted by economic and social inequity through programs that educate, enrich, empower and motivate. The evening’s food vendor will be Crepes Du Jour, offering sweet and savory crepes for all to enjoy! Please bring folding chairs, blankets and extra cash for when the donation buckets go by!
Join the Sawyer Free Library on Thursday mornings for Garden Storytime with Backyard Growerson the Saunders House lawn! Running this Thursday through August 28, the Library’s Garden Storytime is great for kids of all ages. Children will plan, plant, water, weed, maintain and harvest a garden at the library all summer, while sharing books and stories about gardening and the outdoors. Free lunch is provided for all children by The Open Door.
Thursdays at 11:00am on the Saunders House Lawn located at 88 Middle Street. This program runs from July 10th through August 28th. No reservations required to attend but the weekly program is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.
Summer is a time for discovery—and at Sawyer Free Library, the adventure is just beginning.
Sawyer Free Library invites the community to celebrate summer with the launch of its 2025 Summer Reading Program:Level Up at Your Library. This year’s theme is all about playful learning—spotlighting puzzles, games, and hands-on fun designed to spark curiosity and creativity in readers of all ages.
With a vibrant lineup of free events–from live animal visits and magic shows to garden story times and interactive challenges–Level Up encourages young readers to power up their imaginations and discover new worlds.
The Summer Reading Program is open to children and teens who can register in person at any Summer Reading Program event or online through August 1. Participants are encouraged to read (or be read to) for at least 500 minutes over the summer. With their “Level Up at the Library” reading logs, kids can earn prizes including Topsfield Fair tickets and a chance to win a signed Boston Bruins hockey jersey courtesy of the Boston Bruins Foundation.
The summer fun kicks off on Friday, July 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Gloucester City Hall with a live animal presentation by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center. Children and families will meet exotic creatures and learn about their habitats, adaptations, and roles in the ecosystem.
Beginning July 10, Thursday mornings bring gardening and story-sharing with Backyard Growers in the library’s raised beds on the Saunders House Lawn.
A summer highlight comes on Monday, July 28 at 10:00 a.m., when The Poop Museum arrives at City Hall. This interactive science program, led by “poop expert” Susie Maguire, is packed with fun facts, hands-on learning, and plenty of laughs as kids explore the surprising world of human, animal, and insect poop.
The library will also host Ed the Wizard and his Reading is Magic Alchemy Laboratory on Friday, August 8, an interactive magic show that uses storytelling and everyday objects to demonstrate the transformative power of reading. Then, on Tuesday, August 12 at 10:30 a.m., Rick Roth and the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team will introduce kids to real snakes and share fascinating facts about their habitats and behavior.
Tweens and teens have a summer program of their own to look forward to at Sawyer Free. Students entering grades 6–12 can earn a free half pint ofHoly Cow Ice Cream just by reading one book and filling out online form. They’re also invited to special events like the Teen & Tween Whale Watch on July 10 and Henna Tattoos on August 11. Youth are encouraged to get involved in the Teen/Tween Advisory Board (TAB), where they can help shape library programs, earn volunteer hours, and connect with friends and community.
Summer reading isn’t just for kids. Adults can join in by submitting book ratings, earning entries into prize draws for $25, $50, or $75 Cape Ann Gift Certificates. Submissions can be made online or at the library. In addition, the library will host a full schedule of virtual author talks throughout the summer. All adult library programming, in-person services, programs, and special events will resume in September. Library cardholders can also continue to enjoy free or discounted passes to local cultural attractions.
All summer programming is free, thanks to the support of the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council.
The Sawyer Free Library is excited to officially open its newly renovated, expanded, and modernized space this September. In the meantime, the Library’s digital resources are available 24/7 at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
The future of the Sawyer Free Libraryis rising on Dale Avenue—and it’s breathtaking. On schedule and on budget, our modernized library is nearly complete and set to open its doors to the Gloucester community this fall!
This transformation is about more than a building. It’s about what happens inside, and every floor tells a story of inclusion and innovation.
On the Ground Floor
A cutting-edge Digital Learning Lab 💻
A Local History Research Center with an 85” interactive display and digital archive
A 100-seat Community Room for performances, workshops, and forums
On the First Floor
A warm, inviting Reading Lounge and expanded collection 📚
On the Second Floor – 9,500 square feet devoted to Young Minds
A Light-Filled Children’s Room
An Early Learning Center supporting literacy from the start
A Creative Program Room for hands-on exploration
Gloucester’s only dedicated Teen Space and Creation Studio
We’re building more than a library—we’re creating a future where knowledge, equity, and opportunity can thrive. This is a library for everyone: every age, every voice, every dreamer. But we’re not quite there yet.
To everyone who has supported the Sawyer Free Library project—thank you. Your generosity has brought us this far, and we’re proud of what we’ve built together. Now, as we prepare to open the doors, we invite you to help us complete this transformational project by donating to the 2025 Sawyer Free Library 🌸 Spring Appeal.
💛 Let’s Finish This Together Your gift will help turn this shared vision into reality. It’s an investment in Gloucester’s wellbeing, culture, and future. Please consider donating today at 2025.sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Whether you’ve already contributed, are considering an additional gift, or are giving for the first time—your support matters.
The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presents Charles Tompkins and son Gregory Tompkins in concert on Saturday evening, May 17th. Charles Tompkins (organ and piano) and Gregory Tompkins (violin) will perform in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. They are a dynamic and talented father and son duo who have performed in venues such as Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, Harvard Memorial Church in Cambridge, MA, and at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC.
Dr. Charles Boyd Tompkins is the Distinguished University Organist and Professor of Music Emeritus at Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, where as a member of the music faculty he taught organ, harpsichord, church music, and music theory from 1986 until his retirement in December 2022. He currently serves as the accompanist for the University’s outstanding choral ensembles (the Furman Singers, Furman Chamber Choir, and Belle Voci Women’s Chorale), directs Furman’s Hartness Organ Recital Series, and plays for academic convocations and weddings. Charles was central to the commission of a Fisk concert organ, completed in 2003, for the Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel.
Gregory Tompkins is a versatile violinist who regularly performs in solo, chamber and orchestral settings throughout the United States. Gregory is a member of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, and serves as principal second violin Opera Theater of Connecticut and Orchestra New England. He is a member of the faculty of Gateway Community College and the Hopkins School in New Haven, CT.
The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church is located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street) where parking is available on the green. An elevator is available from the side door at 10 Church Street. Admission for the event is $30 General, $10 Students (all ages), under 12 free. For advance ticket purchases and more information please visit: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
Cape Ann Community 