Festivals & Events

2009 Castle Hill Summer Picnic Concerts

courtesy photo Melissa Ferrick kicks off Crane concert series Date: Thursday, July 2, 2009 Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Location: Castle Hill Spend an unforgettable evening of picnicking, dancing, and music at Castle Hill overlooking magnificent Crane Beach. It’s an outing the whole family will love! July 2 Melissa Ferrick (Folk rock) July 9  Spiritual Rez (Reggae horn funk dance party) July 16 Jah Spirit (Reggae) July 23 Squeezebox Stompers (Cajun zydeco) July 30 Beantown Swing Orchestra* (Big band swing) August 6 Digger Dawg (Country) August 13 Jake Armerding (Folk rock and bluegrass) August 20 HELP! (Beatles tribute band) August 27 Entrain (Rock funk jam band) September 3 Orville Giddings Band (Boogie blues) *Come at 6PM to learn Swing dance steps from professionals!   Admission at the gate only. Member $20/car. Nonmember $25/car. Please note: if a car has more than 6 passengers, each additional passenger will be charged $5. Special member season pass $160 (20% discount!) available now through July 2 over the phone or in person at the July 2 concert.   Castle Hill offers the following picnic concert vendors for your convenience: Picnic suppers by Good Tastes Kitchen. Order one at www.Good-Tastes.com and they will deliver to Castle Hill. Ice cream by White Farms Ice Cream. Popcorn, nuts, candy, and soda by Q’s Nuts.   Please help us keep Castle Hill clean by carrying out what you carry in. Fees: Member $20/car. Nonmember $25/car. Please note: if a car has more than 6 passengers, each additional passenger will be charged $5. Special member season pass $160 (20% discount!) available now through July 2 over the phone or in person at the July 2 concert. Notes: Telephone: 978-356-4351 x4015 E-mail: needucation@ttor.org

ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO IN IPSWICH, MA

Ipswich Visitor Center located in the Hall-Haskell House at 36 South Main St. (SoCho District), is open on weekends during the month of May. Hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, noon to 5 pm. The center will open seven days a week after Memorial Day weekend. The center offers maps, brochures, a walking audio tour and information on the town's 375th anniversary celebration.For more info, call (978)356-3580.

Audio Walking Tour of Ipswich The Ipswich Visitors Center is offering a self guided audio walking tour of Ipswich. The tour recounts many of the historic events that occurred in Ipswich, as well as a host of other information such as famous Ipswich artists, agriculture, wildlife, and activities available throughout the town. Enjoy fascinating stories about some of the 50+ First Period houses— more than any other town in America—and discover for yourself why Ipswich is named the“Birthplace of American Independence!”

A Visitor's Guide to the Crane Estate is a self-guided landscape tour booklet introducing visitors to Castle Hill, Crane Beach, and the Crane Wildlife Refuge. It is available from the Castle Hill gatehouse and may be mail ordered in advance of your visit.

Paine House Tours The historic Paine House at Greenwood Farm on Jeffrey's Neck Road in Ipswich is open for tours the first Sat. & Sun. of each month through Oct. One hour tours run 1-3 pm. the Last tour starts at 3 pm.

Tours are free to all on Saturdays. On Sundays, Trustees of Reservations members enter free, non-members pay $8 for adults and $5 for children. Recommended for children 8 and older. For info, call 978-356-4351 or visit www.thetrustees.org