HopNews

Lake Maspenock Annual Clean-Up
2026-04-25 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Sandy Beach on Lake Masepenock, 4 Lakeshore Drive, Hopkinton, 01748, United States
Annual Lake Clean-Up at Sandy Beach
SATURDAY, APRIL 25th
9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Rain date: Sunday, April 26th
Bring your family and neighbors to lend a helping hand as we clean up our neighborhood streets (including Oakhurst, Pine Island, and Crockett) and around the lake’s waterfront.
Stop in at the Sandy Beach parking lot to grab supplies and be assigned an area.
We will have:
*trash bags, gloves, and trash pickers
*coffee, juice boxes, and donuts
An LMPA community member has graciously donated his dump truck, so all trash bags and items collected during our cleanup will be brought back to Sandy Beach for disposal.

Adaptive Open Mic Night
2026-04-17 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-27 18:00 - 19:30 | HCA: Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 99 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748, United States
Decades Night Theme (April 17 and May 22 will be a Different Theme! Check with HCA for the latest details)
Supportive and inclusive space for individuals of all abilities to share their creativity through music with a ‘Decades Night’ theme.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with artist Amy Lee in this botanical watercolor workshop. Perfect for beginners, you’ll learn loose, expressive techniques to create ethereal floral paintings. Craft a handmade gift or join together for a creative bonding experience (ages 12+). Relax, flow with the paint, and take home a beautiful, matted masterpiece.
Instructor: Amy Lee
Age: 12+ (accompanied by an adult)
Date: Sunday, May 10, 2026
Time: 2 to 3:30 P.M.
Materials: Tuition includes all materials.
RSVP HERE!
HCA Policies: Please review the HCA Student Policies and Procedures on our website.
Injury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes.

Photo Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA’s Photo Release Agreement during registration.
Waiting List: If this class is sold out, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so, please add your name to our waitlist here.

Scholarships:
The HCA believes the arts are for everyone. Thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund, we can assist children, teens, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need, motivation, and potential benefit to the student. Apply for a scholarship here.
MEMBERS SAVE ON CLASSES:
Your membership helps the HCA change the lives of artists and art lovers through its nurturing faculty, state-of-the-art facility, and need-based scholarship program. We are pleased to offer 5% off class costs to HCA Members from the Insider–Plus LEVEL and up.
To apply your membership discount to your order, please log in to your account at the top of this page. Once logged in, your membership level discounts will be reflected in your cart at checkout.

Lions Club Meat Raffle at Cornell's on April 11
2026-04-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Cornell’s Irish Pub, 229 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748, United States
Beef, Pork, Chicken & more!
Tickets: $5 for 10 or $10 for 25
50/50 raffle $5
WHAT IS A MEAT RAFFLE?​
The Hopkinton Lions Club Meat Raffle, held at Cornell’s Pub, is a chance for you to buy tickets to enable you to win portions of meat. The proceeds from the raffle support the Hopkinton Lions Club and its charitable activities. The meat raffle will proceed as follows:
There will be three separate raffles throughout the day, each containing a variety of meat products displayed on a table at the restaurant.
Before the first game, anyone interested in participating can purchase tickets from one of the Lions Club members who will be walking throughout the restaurant. The tickets will be sold in packs of 10 for $5 and 25 for $10.
All tickets will be placed in a box to be drawn later to determine the winners. The prize table will be set up so participants can see the items they are competing for.
When the first game is ready to start, no more tickets will be sold, the box of tickets will be shaken, and the first winning ticket will be drawn. The winner can choose any of the items of meat that have been displayed on the table of prizes.
After the winner is selected, tickets will continue to be drawn. As a result, the winners will continue to select any of the remaining meat prizes until the table is empty.
After the first table has been emptied, the first round of tickets will be discarded. A second (and then third) table will be set up. Afterward, new tickets will be purchased, placed, and the game will be played again.
Thank you for your sponsorship of the Hopkinton Lions Club, and thanks to Cornell’s for hosting the event.
All proceeds will support local charities and eye research funds.

Monthly Veterans Breakfast at Senior Center
2026-04-03 09:00 - 10:00 | Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew St Hopkinton, United States
The Senior Center hosts a Veterans Breakfast on the first Friday of every month at 9:00 AM. Veterans and community members are welcome to attend for a warm meal and friendly conversation.
All events are open to the public.

A Play, A Pint and A Pie: Call for Scripts 2026
2026-03-31 | HCA: Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 99 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748, United States
A call for script submissions for HCA’s annual one-act play festival
Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) is excited to announce the call for scripts for our sixth annual one-act play festival, A Play, A Pint & A Pie. We invite all playwrights to submit their original works in a PDF format via email to esltheater@hopartscenter.org between 12/10/25–3/31/26. Please ensure your script includes your name, email address, and contact phone number.
To submit your script, you must purchase “tickets” corresponding to the number of scripts you submit. Please note that you may submit up to 3 scripts. This festival provides a unique opportunity for playwrights to showcase their talent, and we encourage all aspiring writers to submit their work.
We charge a modest $20 script fee to help sustain the festival and respect the time of our volunteer reading committee, who carefully review more than 100 plays each season. This fee allows us to focus on serious submissions while also helping fund the production costs for the 5–6 finalists whose work will be staged. Every dollar goes back into presenting the selected plays.
At HCA, we are committed to promoting the arts and providing a platform for emerging artists. We look forward to receiving your submissions and wish you the best of luck!
COMPETITION RULES

Length of play: No more than 20 minutes (approx. 20 pages)
Subject matter: Open (must be appropriate for a PG-13 audience). May be comedy, drama, etc. (Please consider whether your play can be performed outdoors with modest technical requirements)
Status of play: The one-act plays should be unpublished. It is acceptable to submit one act that has been previously produced by a non-professional group (i.e., community theater).
Number of entries: Up to three entries per playwright
Submissions & Fees: Submissions will be accepted up until 11:59 P.M. on March 31, 2026. There is a $20 fee per script submission. Scripts should be in PDF form and emailed upon payment of the script submission fee to esltheater@hopartscenter.org
Competition Announcement: Finalists (between 4-6) will be determined by the end of April 2026. All entries are final; no revisions will be accepted. Plays will not be returned or critiqued. The finalists’ plays will be performed on August 22-23, 2026
Prize: The juried winner will receive $200.

Children Will Listen
2026-03-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-20 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-14 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-13 19:30 - 21:30 | HCA: Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 99 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748, United States
Join us for Children Will Listen
It’s a brand-new musical theater revue directed by Mark DiCampo, celebrating the magic of storytelling through song. This enchanting production features beloved selections from musical adaptations of fairy tales and classic children’s literature, including Into the Woods, The Secret Garden, The Lord of the Rings, Cinderella, and many more. Thoughtful, whimsical, and full of heart, Children Will Listen reminds us that the stories we share—and the lessons within them—shape us all.
Four Performances: March 13 and 14, March 20 and 21

Hopkinton Night of Fun: Live Music and Entertainment
2026-03-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Hopkinton Town Common 6 Hayden Rowe Street, United States
Hosted by Friends of Hopkinton and Hopkinton Lions. Join us for a night of fun, live music, LED entertainment, s’mores, and hot chocolate on The Town Common! Pizza for purchase will be offered.

Ashland Library Young Artists Comics Fest
2026-03-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Ashland Public Library, 66 Front St, Ashland, 01721, United States
ALYAC Fest is a free event celebrating comics and graphic novels, featuring local professional creators and young artists ages 8-18! This year’s headliners are cartoonists Kayla Miller (author of the CLICK and BESTIES series) and Lincoln Peirce (author of BIG NATE and MAX & THE MIDKNIGHTS). We’ll have workshops throughout the day led by comics creators so kids can learn how to create comics of their own!
Kids can showcase and sell their comics, too! We are looking for young artists aged 8-18 to apply for a spot at our Young Artists Tables. Please see https://tinyurl.com/apl-alyac2026-YAT for more details.
The Trolley Dogs food truck will be on site for lunch. We’ll also have a quiet drawing area and Calmer Space for kids who need to rest and regulate. Free parking is available across the street from the library.
Visit https://www.bostoncomicarts.org/alyac for more details and to register.

Create and Sip at the Center
2026-03-20 18:30 - 21:00 | HCA: Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 99 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748, United States
Celebrate Spring Landscapes in Watercolor
A creative night out focused on watercolor painting of spring landscapes.
Grab a friend—or a special someone—and treat yourself to a fun, creative night at HCA! Under the guidance of Mrs. Judy Smith, you’ll paint a stunning watercolor landscape while sipping a delicious drink (alcoholic or not).
No experience? No problem! This is all about relaxation, laughter, and letting your creativity flow. Share the joy of painting with others, enjoy good company, and leave with a piece of art you’ll be proud of.
Whether you’re looking for a memorable date night, a fun outing with friends, or just a chance to unwind and try something new, this is the perfect escape.
Details
Instructor: Judy Smith
Ms. Judy earned her Master of Education degree and teaching certification in Special Education for moderate disabilities from BSU. In addition, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University with a B.A. in art with minors in music, education, and theater, and earned teaching certificates in Art K-12 and General Music K-12.
Age: 16+
Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
Time: 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Materials: All materials and the first drink are provided at no cost. Additional drinks available for purchase for those 21+.
REGISTER HERE!
HCA Policies: Please review the HCA Student Policies and Procedures on our website.

Injury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes.
Photo Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA’s Photo Release Agreement during registration.
Waiting List: If this class is sold out, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so, please add your name to our waitlist here.

Scholarships:
The HCA believes the arts are for everyone. Thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund, we can assist children, teens, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need, motivation, and potential benefit to the student. Apply for a scholarship here.
MEMBERS SAVE ON CLASSES:
Your membership helps the HCA change the lives of artists and art lovers through its nurturing faculty, state-of-the-art facility, and need-based scholarship program. We are pleased to offer 5% off class costs to HCA Members from the Insider–Plus LEVEL and up.
To apply your membership discount to your order, please log into your account at the top of this page. Once logged in, your membership level discounts will be reflected in your cart at checkout.

Artful Connections: With Charusmitha Ram and Betsy Johnson
2026-03-17 18:30 - 20:30 | HCA: Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 99 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748, United States
ARTFUL CONNECTIONS is a social justice-lensed event where artists offer music, poetry, readings, and spoken word.
RSVP HERE!

Each evening features a host who kicks off with a presentation, performance, and discussion relevant to that evening’s theme and the host’s work. Then, guests can add their words, music, and art to the conversation. We welcome all to RSVP, whether or not they will be performing. Refreshments are available.
This series is a collaboration between the Hopkinton Freedom Team and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, with support from Riverside Properties, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Hopkinton Cultural Council, and Hopkinton Youth and Family Services. Through the arts and conversations, we aim to build and promote love, inclusion, and trust within the surrounding communities and help create a more beautiful and just world.
This month, our co-hosts will be Charusmitha Ram and Betsy Johnson
Charusmitha is a passionate traveler, hiker, backpacker, artist, designer, day-dreamer, and a full-time mom. She used to be a regular working professional doing the everyday grind of driving to work, working late hours in a typical corporate job, and juggling other life commitments. All of that changed in November of 2023, when she decided to pause and listen to what the universe really wanted her to do. And so…the wanderlust adventures began. She started navigating the world at a more human pace, remembering to smell the flowers and taking new pathways to places that would only take her on foot, slowly, one step at a time.
Over the years, she’s hiked and backpacked quite a bit in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and is very close to completing 48 of the 4000-footers in NH. Her artistic focus over the past year has been printmaking, and she runs workshops at the HCA for adults and children. She’s also an Assistant Scout master at Troop 4, Hopkinton, and in 2024 went backpacking to Philmont, New Mexico, with a crew of 12 for two weeks.
In April of 2025, she hiked Everest Base Camp and Chola Pass, one of the three mountain passes in the region. Her next adventure is to hike Mt. Elbert, Colorado’s highest mountain.
Betsy is a poet and storyteller whose work draws on the wisdom of the natural world and a deep commitment to disability justice. As the parent of an autistic young adult (her greatest teacher), she finds daily inspiration and insight that shape both her advocacy and her art.
Betsy’s poetry moves between witness and wonder, tracing moments of beauty and struggle, and giving voice to what so often goes unsaid. Her piece, “Mathematics of Mercy,” which explores the realities and impact of Medicaid cuts, was recently read aloud on the floor of the House of Representatives. As an advocate, she supports autistic adults and families, trains educators, and consults with organizations on building more inclusive workplaces. Betsy also teaches future healthcare professionals in compassionate, person-centered care through the Operation House Call program at the Arc of Massachusetts, reaching students at UMass Chan Medical School and Tufts Dental School.
Her writing has appeared in journals such as Mamalode and in the anthology Flat Earth Diary. Across every page and project, Betsy’s work calls us to see more clearly, connect more deeply, and honor our shared humanity.

Hopkinton Winter Farmers Market 2025-2026
2026-03-15 11:00 - 14:00 | Weston Nurseries, 94 E. Main Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748, United States
Our Winter Market will be held at Weston Nurseries, located at 93 East Main St.

Every Sunday, Nov 16 – Mar 15, 11am-2pm.
Set up begins at 9:30am.

Please note that we will be outdoors from November 16 to early December, then move indoors for the remainder of the season.

Create and Sip at the Center
2026-03-13 19:00 - 21:00 | HCA: Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 99 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748, United States
The Power of Color in Abstract Painting
TWO FRIDAY’s, the cost covers both days
Grab a friend—or a special someone—and treat yourself to two fun, creative nights at HCA! In the relaxed and inspiring setting of the Lotvin Family Gallery, featuring rotating exhibits, we’ll explore the world of abstract art and color theory by creating a painting inspired by groundbreaking artists.
Abstract art relies on the power of color to evoke a response in the viewer. We’ll use cool tones, monochrome colors, and black-and-white imagery to create fluid forms, patterns, and movement.
No experience? No problem! Everyone will receive step-by-step instructions for creating a piece of art you’ll be proud of while sipping your favorite drink (alcoholic or not).
REGISTER HERE!
Instructor: Lee Collilouri
Age: 16+
Dates: 2 Fridays, March 6 and 13, 2026
Time: 7 to 9 P.M.
Materials: All materials and the first drink are included in the cost. Additional drinks available for purchase for those 21+.
HCA Policies: Please review the HCA Student Policies and Procedures on our website.

Injury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes.
Photo Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA’s Photo Release Agreement during registration.
Waiting List: If this class is sold out, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so, please add your name to our waitlist here.

Scholarships:
The HCA believes the arts are for everyone. Thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund, we can assist children, teens, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need, motivation, and potential benefit to the student. Apply for a scholarship here.
MEMBERS SAVE ON CLASSES:
Your membership helps the HCA change the lives of artists and art lovers through its nurturing faculty, state-of-the-art facility, and need-based scholarship program. We are pleased to offer 5% off class costs to HCA Members from the Insider–Plus LEVEL and up.
To apply your membership discount to your order, please log in to your account at the top of this page. Once logged in, your membership level discounts will be reflected in your cart at checkout.
