Workshop to Focus on Future of Downtown Village

It is Thursday, Oct. 3. Here are five things you need to know in Hamilton and Wenham:

1. Sun: Thursday’s weather is expected to be just as beautiful as Wednesday, just a little bit cooler. The sky will be sunny with temperatures into the mid-70s.

2. Downtown: The future of the downtown Hamilton-Wenham village will be the focus of a session Thursday night at Hamilton-Wenham Library. The workshop from 6-8 p.m. hopes to involve the public in coming up with a vision about the future of the downtown area using a grant from the Barr Foundation for Sustainable Development. At the end, the study will result in a draft plan for the future of the Hamilton-Wenham village.

3. Fair: The biggest event of the fall here on the North Shore each fall is the Topsfield Fair. It opens on Friday night, and Thursday is the last chance to get discount tickets. Daily admission tickets are available at the fairground box office for $9, a discount from the $11 weekday and $15 weekend and holiday rate. Three day tickets are also available for $25. Discounted ride tickets and food vouchers are also available through Thursday.

4. Parade: The Halloween season kicks off in earnest on Thursday evening with the Grand Parade in Salem. The parade marks the start of the city’s Haunted Happenings festivities. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. with the theme "Books Come Alive," making its way through the downtown from Shetland Park and to Salem Common.

5. Farm and Fiber: Green Meadows Farms’ first Farm and Fiber night is Thursday evening, where participants will experience “a fun night of knitting, crocheting, sewing, felting or whatever fiber project you desire.” It is free and open to the public and starts at 6 p.m. in the farmstand greenhouse. Anyone who attends is encouraged to bring their own needles and yarn and a snack. There will be informal instruction available.

To find out what is going on today in Hamilton and Wenham, check out our events listings.