By Abington Celebrates
Abington Celebrates, an all-volunteer committee that brings free, fun events to the community, is hosting its 8th Annual Oktoberfest from Friday, October 13, to Sunday, October 15, 2023.
While the family events are free, a “Stein & Wine Paint Night” fundraiser kicks off the festivities on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. Held at the Abington American Legion, Post #112, participants can paint their own stein or wine glass using provided Green Wave or fall motif stencils. A $40 fee includes all supplies. Food and drinks and raffle tickets for a selection of prizes are available for purchase. All proceeds will benefit the Founders’ Day Fireworks in June.
Saturday’s events begin with the Oktoberfest Marketplace featuring vendors, crafters, raffles, music, food and fun at Abington’s first church, United Church of Christ at 10 Bedford Street, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Thrift Shop will be open for additional bargains. Anyone interested in the history of Island Grove can participate in a free guided Walking Tour by the Historical Society of Old Abington from 11 a.m. to noon. The tour meeting place is under the arch on the Lake Street side of the bridge. The Dyer Memorial Library will be open to visitors from noon-3 p.m. Located at 28 Center Ave, the library’s special exhibit is entitled Clubs: Past and Present in Abington, Rockland and Whitman.
Young children will enjoy the Abington Lions Club’s “Not-So-Scary-Woods” from 3-6 p.m. Children are encouraged to wear a costume for the costume parade. Held in Island Grove Park at 200 Park Avenue, the free event also features other fun activities, Touch-a-Truck, music, face painting, and food for purchase. Saturday’s events close out with “Pumpkin Point and Movie Night,” co-sponsored by Abington Celebrates and Abington’s Park & Recreation. Also held at Island Grove Park, “Coco” is the free featured movie beginning at 6:15 p.m., preceded by a pumpkin display and Carved Pumpkin Contest with prizes. Anyone can drop off their carved pumpkins for judging between 3-5 p.m. at the Island Grove Snack Shack.
The fun-filled weekend wraps up with a full day of events on Sunday, beginning with the 2nd Annual Freaky Flea Market in front of Beaver Brook Elementary School on Ralph Hamlin Lane. The Flea Market runs from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.. DJ “Back in the Day” will be spinning tunes.
Mostly free activities for the whole family will be the feature of Oktoberfest Family Celebration from noon-3 p.m. Held in front of the Frolio Middle School and Memorial Field (behind the Frolio), the event is co-sponsored by Abington Celebrates and the Jeff Coombs Memorial Foundation. Activities include several large inflatables, games, face painting, balloon artist, a hay ride, Joe’s Crazzy Critters, a Farmers’ Market featuring more than 15 vendors, Corn Hole Tournament, a flu shot clinic, Beer Garden and food for sale by the American Legion, and raffles. Participants can try to win a Halloween display donated by Seoanes.
There will be demonstrations by Boston Tae Kwon Do Academy of Abington, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Dept K-9 Unit, and Dance Dimension. Friends of Abington’s Dog Park will host a Dog Costume Contest at 2 p.m. for a $3 entry fee, a best-dressed stuffed animal contest for children 12 and under at 1 p.m. for a $1 fee, and raffles.
The Abington Summer Concerts Committee is sponsoring the Double Eagle Oktoberfest German Band from 1-3 p.m. Culminating the Oktoberfest weekend will be the announcement of the Seoane’s Garden Center Scarecrow Contest winner at 2:45.
Abington Celebrates is not supported by tax dollars and rely wholly on private fundraising and donations held in a gift account administered by the town of Abington.
Tax-deductible donations may be sent to: Abington Celebrates (c/o Town Offices), 500 Gliniewicz Way, Abington, MA 02351. Please make checks payable to: Town of Abington (note: “Abington Celebrates fireworks on the memo line).
For information on Oktoberfest changes due to weather, visit Abington Celebrates on Facebook and Instagram.
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