Category Archives: Free Stuff

The 29th Boston Freedom Rally is the largest annual gathering of pro-marijuana supporters on the East Coast and the second largest festival of it’s kind in the world, surpassed only by Seattle’s Hempfest. So if you find yourself near the Boston Common this weekend that hazy cloud hanging over the Common isn’t a weather pattern and is likely to make your head spin if you walk through the park. The rally officially kicks off this afternoon but is typically attended by most over the weekend from 12-8PM on Saturday and Sunday.

The rally is organized by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (MassCANN), the state affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) also known as MassCann/NORML.

This The annual World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is this Saturday. If you would like to participate or want to learn more about the event visit their website, wnbrboston.com. If you’re unfamiliar with this annual ride, the WNBR is a clothing optional global protest to call for more bike-friendly streets that appeals to bike-lovers, exhibitionists, naturalists and curious onlookers.

For more details about the ride visit their website, wnbrboston.com, and let me know if you plan on participating. I’d love to hear more about the ride.

Source: Boston.com Calendar

Boston hosts a very large 4th of July celebration that is free and open to the public.  The Spectacular is held at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston, and the gates have already opened – with tens of thousands squatting small spaces along the thin line of grass that hugs the Charles River. However there is still plenty of time to get down there if interested because the actual concert doesn’t start until 8 p.m., and the fireworks show begins at 10:30 p.m.

Where to watch the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
This year the program will be broadcast live on both Bloomberg TV and WHDH-TV, beginning at 8:00 PM. The entire concert and fireworks display will also be available to live stream at Bloomberg.com, Boston.com, and the local gay bar, Cathedral Station, will be showing the event live from their bar if you want to watch with friends but not have to deal with the crowds.

This year’s line up
Massachusetts-native Rachel Platten will headline the show this year. She will be joined by the Indigo Girls, as will Broadway star and EGOT-winner Rita Moreno and Broadway star Natlie Cortez, who will be starring in the world premiere of Moulin Rouge The Musical which will start its pre-Broadway run at the Emerson Colonial starting July 10th. The Boston Pops will also pay tribute to Leonard Bernstein, a Lawrence native, Harvard alumnus, and former music director of the New York Philharmonic.

More information
The Boston Globe has a list of items you cannot bring past security check points. To read that full list link here (and scroll down). And for any other details you might want to know, check out the event’s official webpage,  bostonpopsjuly4th.org.

The annual World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is one month from today and for those who would like to participate, check out the World Naked Bike Ride Boston Facebook page and the official event website, wnbrboston.com. For those of you unfamiliar with this annual ride, the WNBR is a clothing optional global protest to call for more bike-friendly streets.

The starting location of this year’s ride won’t be announced until Thursday, July 19th. A pre-party (date TBA) will begin at 6PM and the ride will start at 8PM on Saturday, July 21. Let me know if you plan on participating in this year’s ride. I’d love to hear more about this year’s ride.

第7回日本ボストン祭

In 2012, the first Japan Festival Boston was hosted, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the friendship gift of cherry blossom trees from Kyoto (the sister city of Boston) to Washington D.C. This year marks the seventh annual Japan Festival in Boston on the Boston Common (April 28-29).

For those of you who enjoy Japanese food note that Saturday (1PM – 6PM) there will be nearly a dozen vendors selling some of the best ramen noodle you can find in Boston. On Sunday (11AM – 5PM), additional booths will be open, workshops will be ongoing as well as stage performances, a cosplay contest and more. For more information about this year’s festival, visit their website, www.japanfestivalboston.org, and if you are fascinated by Japanese culture be sure to check out The Japan Society of Boston.