Pets

Barktoberfest | Sweet Paws Rescue

Sweet Paws Rescue Barktoberfest in Newbury Massachusetts helps raise funds for this unique shelterless pet matching organization

We invite the entire Sweet Paws Rescue community to enjoy this fun-filled day of music, activities, and local food & drink in celebration of our southern team’s amazing efforts and dedication. You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn more about our organization and meet some of our adoptable pets! Bring your family and enjoy lots of free kid-friendly activities! Well behaved, leashed pups are welcome! If you've adopted through us, this event is a great way to show your thanks and you may even have a chance to connect with your rescuer(s)!

When:

Saturday, October 18, 2025 12-5pm

Location:

Spencer Peirce Little Farm

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Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Parade | Salem MA

Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Parade, Haunted Halloween Salem Haunted Happenings

Salem is going to the dogs (and cats and lizards and bunnies), and we couldn’t be happier about it! Salem Main Streets is pleased to announce the return of the annual Howl-o-ween Pet Parade! The pet parade will return to Derby Wharf on Saturday, Oct. 14th at 11 am, with the usual fun, costumes, and contest with prizes.

When:

Saturday, October 11, 2025 11am

Location:

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

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Doggy Maze Daze at Marini Farm

Marini Farm in Ipswich is teaming up with the Ipswich Humane Group to host a Doggy Maze Daze Fundraiser.

The Ipswich Humane Group is teaming up with Marini Farm in Ipswich to host a Doggy Maze Daze Fundraiser to support the Ipswich animal shelter. One weekend only Marini Farm will open the corn maze for pet owners and their four legged friends! Guests can bring their canine companions and get lost in the maze!

When:

Saturday, September 6, 2025 10am-6pm

Sunday, September 7, 2025 10am-6pm

Location:

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Beverly Homecoming Dog Party

Come to a furry fun-filled morning at the Beverly Dog Park! Bring your four-legged friends for a delightful time featuring exciting raffles, adorable on-site painted pet portraits ($), and more. Don’t miss out on the chance to make new friends—both two-legged and four-legged! Please note: For safety reasons, children under the age of 10 are not permitted inside the dog park. We appreciate your understanding! Rain Date: August 10. For more information, contact Michelle Rhoades at michellemrhoades@gmail.com

When:

Saturday, August 9, 2025 9-11am

Location:

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Marblehead Street Festival

Come to the Marblehead Street Festival at Bank Square (intersection of Washington and Hooper Street). This festival is a fun tradition that's part of 4th of July celebrations! There will be something for everyone including magic, street performers, live music, face painting, sidewalk chalk art, henna tattoos, fairy houses, juggling, hula hoops and more.

When:

Friday, July 4, 2025 11am-3pm

Location:

Downtown Marblehead

Crocker Park

Marblehead

Marblehead Festival of the Arts

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Read to a Dog at SPL

Kids are invited to read to a therapy dog at the Salem Public Library in Massachusetts

Have a new or struggling reader who needs to build confidence and practice reading aloud? Come read to Hendrix, the trained therapy dog, a sweet a non-judgmental listener! Bring your own book to read, or choose one of ours.

When:

Saturday, April 12, 2025 10-11am

Location:

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Read to Keeva at HW Library

Read to Keeva a certified therapy dog at the Hamilton Wenham Public Library in Massachusetts

The Therapy Dog is In! Drop by starting at 3:30pm to get 10-minutes of one-on-one reading time with Keeva and her trainer, Ms. Fleming. Keeva provides a calm, welcoming space for emerging readers to practice their read-aloud skills. Bring a book from home or pick one out at the library - Keeva loves all stories! Open to readers in grades K-3. No registration needed; arrive early to guarantee a spot & sign-in when you arrive.

When:

Monday, April 14, 2025 3:30-4:30pm

Location:

Hamilton-Wenham Public Library

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Winter Carnival Fundraiser

Come to the Winter Carnival, a fundraiser for Sweet PAws Rescue, at Barewolf Brewing in Amesbury Masssachusetts

Sweet Paws Rescue's 2nd Annual Winter Carnival is back at BareWolf Brewing in Amesbury, Massachusetts! Try your luck at their ticketed games: Ring Toss, Nerf Shots, Snowball Baskets, Claw Machine, & more! Enjoy other activities for kids: crafts, face-painting, photo booth, raffle. ALL TICKET PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT SWEET PAWS RESCUE

When:

January 18, 2025 1-4pm

Location:

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Pet Rock Annual Animal Welfare Fundraiser

Pet Rock by the Sea benefit concert for the North Shore Animal Shelter at Winter Island Salem Massachusetts

Pet Rock by the Sea is a fun afternoon in one of Salem MA's beautiful historic parks - Winter Island. Enjoy an open air Pavillion with food from local favorites Lulu's Bakery, shop clothing and accessories, meet a local author, learn about local shelters and enjoy music from great local musicians. Plus raffles, prizes and a silent auction - all to benefit a great cause, The Northeast Animal Shelter.

When:

Saturday, September 15, 2024 12-6pm

Location:

Winter Island Maritime Park

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Read to a Dog at Danvers Library

Kids are invited to read to a therapy dog at the Danvers Public Library in Massachusetts

Canceled 4/12/24

Ages 4 - 11. Kids, read to Bentley, our therapy dog friend from B.O.N.E.S.! Bring some books with you or select them from the Children's Room to read to our friendly dog buddy. You'll have 15 minutes to read to our canine companion, who will happily enjoy your stories. This helps to build reading fluency and confidence! Great for reluctant readers! One child per time slot, please.

When:

Thursday, April 25, 2024 6-7pm

Location:

Peabody Institute Library - Danvers

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Salem's So Sweet Festival

Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to come enjoy the annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping! Now in its 24th year, Salem’s So Sweet has become...

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 10:00 pm

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Music and Movement at North Shore Children's Museum

Music and Movement with Marybeth Maes is an engaging music and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Marybeth brings her guitar and instruments for the children to use while they sing, dance, and play.

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

10:00 am to 11:00 am

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CraneExplorer: Valentine's Coastal Craft

The Trustees of Reservations invites ages 12 and up to a valentine craft making workshop! This Valentine’s Day, give a gift from the sea! From seaweed pressings to shell collages, beach treasures make beautiful greetings and keepsakes. Join this workshop to learn fun craft ideas and make marine art...

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:30 pm

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NSNP Saturday Srolls at Choate Farm

Do you and your family have what it takes to survive out in the wilderness?

Where: Choate Farm Conservation Area

10:00 am to 11:30 am

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CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Children's Maple in the Barnyard at Appleton Farms

Maple Season is here! This special program for ages 3-11 & their families will focus on the magic of maple from start to finish. We will discover this tradition by observing trees, tasting sap, learning the tools involved, and finally, tasting the sweet product. We will make sure to have time...

Where: Appleton Farms

10:45 am to 3:00 pm

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Bald Eagles in the Wild for Teens

Head to the most popular spots to search for Bald Eagles. Learn how to spot an eagle in flight, observe their behaviors, and learn how to identify Bald Eagles at different stages of life. Use binoculars, field scopes, and bird guides. Stay active and warm with group challenges about wingspan and...

Where: Joppa Flats Education Center

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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Sunday, February 8

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Salem's So Sweet Festival

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 10:00 pm

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Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Meet at the Halibut Point State Park visitors center to learn about the role Halibut Point has played in America’s military history. One day after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, U.S.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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Amesbury Winter Market

Amesbury Market Daze is your friendly local community marketplace. We take pride in curating a marketplace that showcases local art and food from talented local artisans, chefs, farmers, creators and curators of surrounding Amesbury, Massachusetts. Join us throughout the year to curate and foster a...

Where: Barewolf Brewing

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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