CALENDAR

It's Getting Hot! Hot! Hot! at Annual Chili Fest The Fifth Annual Chili Fest will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Mountain Road, Princeton. Bring your appetite and sample the best chili prepared by professional chili cooks, local restaurants, and individuals. Pros stir up their best chili recipes to qualify for the World Championship Chili Cook-off, while local restaurants and individuals compete for bragging rights. The event will also feature Insane Hot Pepper, Chili Dog Eating & Hormel Chili Eating Contests, live music, and children's entertainment to round out the day. This year's Chilifest will benefit the American Red Cross. For information, visit www.wachusett.com. Pictured are local country music favorites, The Bees Knees, who will perform at the event.

27 FRIDAY

Friday Night Movies presents "Nanny McPhee" at dusk at Riverfront Park, Fitchburg. Rated PG; 97 minutes. Sonic DJ will entertain movie-goers beforehand with fun and games at 7 p.m. Free. Visit www.discoverfitchburg. com

28 SATURDAY

A hike will be held at Crow Hill State Park today. Hikers should meet at the K-Mart parking lot Leominster at 8 a.m. Sponsored by the Montachusett Regional YMCA. For information, contact Jenn Gordon at (978) 343-4847, Ext. 214.

There will be a giveaway of clothes, books, music, baby items, toys and other items - at no cost - from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Peoples Church, 56 S. Main St., Ashburnham. For information, call (978) 827-4010.

A Baby Sign Language class will be held at 2:30 p.m. at All About You Studio, 23 Village Inn Road, Westminster. This is a free introductory sign-a-long class for children up to age 24 months. A parent or caregiver must be present. Registration is required. For information, or to register, call (978) 874-6200.

The Fifth Annual Chili Fest will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Mountain Road, Princeton. Tons of chili to sample, live music, children's entertainment and more will be featured. For information, visit www.wachusett. com or call (978) 464-2300. Proceeds to benefit the American Red Cross.

The St. Joseph's monthly dance will be held from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. in St. Joseph's Parish Hall, 49 Woodland St., Fitchburg. Music by MO-CO. Admission is $10.

29 SUNDAY

The Lake Shirley Improvement Corporation Annual Chicken BBQ & Car Show will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Camp David, Reservoir Road, Lunenburg. A Coffee & Bake Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the barbecue from noon to 2 p.m. Enjoy a day of family fun with music, swimming, boating, fishing, games, raffles and prizes. All are welcome. The Hot Rod Club will display their vintage autos in the ball field across from Camp David. Tickets are $9 in advance; $11 day of event. For information, or to purchase tickets, call Joanna Bilotta at (978) 582- 9090 or any LSIC director at www.lakeshirley. com.

Classic cars, classic tractors, and a classic apple orchard are available for viewing at "Memories of Yester Years" from 3 to 7 p.m. at Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant St.,

Leominster. Classic American fare such as hot dogs and hamburgers will also be available along with music and hayrides. For more information, call (978) 840-FARM or go to www.sholanfarms.com.

Elm Street Congregational Church, 264 Elm St., Fitchburg, will host its Sunday Family Celebration service at 6 p.m. Preceding this service, there will be fun activities for the children at 4:45 p.m. and a dinner for everyone at 5:15 p.m. All are welcome to attend this free monthly event. Call Pastor Steve at (978) 342-4257 for information.

Ashburnham Community Church will host a Classic Rock concert by Al Girouard and Ruff Cut at 5 p.m. at Winchester Park, Ashburnham. Sausages, burgers, hot dogs, salads, popcorn, home-baked goods, ice cream and beverages will be for sale. There will be attendance prizes for adults and children.

Dance2Swing Studios presents Kid Pinky and His Restless Knights at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A beginner friendly group dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Admission is $12. For information, visit www.dance2swing.com

30 MONDAY

The Monday Night Book Club will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Forbush Memorial Library, 118 Main St., Westminster. The group will discuss "Tropic of Night" by Michael Gruber. For information, call (978) 874-7416. A Summer Reading Ending Celebration will be held at 2 p.m. at Stevens Memorial Library, 20 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Ice-cream, crafts and prizes will be featured. For information on library events, call (978) 827-4115.

Musicians Davis Bates and Roger Tincknell present "Rhythms of the World" at 3 p.m. at the Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. Enjoy their exciting music and storytelling program that celebrates reading and cultural diversity with lively songs and stories from Zimbabwe, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, Cuba, and France. For information, call (978) 534- 7522.

Sarah Wright, PT, DPT and Chad Zannotti, PT, MSPT will present information on the "Treatment of Lower Back Pain" at Ramsey Rehab's next Medical Lecture Series from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ramsey Rehab, 39 Cinema Boulevard (near the Fallon Clinic on Mill Street), Leominster. Free; open to the public.

The "Birds of Prey" will be demonstrated at 6 p.m. at Meetinghouse School, 8 South St., Westminster. Registration is required. For information, or to register, call (978) 874-7416.

31 TUESDAY

The Ashburnham COA will host their monthly Pizza and Bingo For a Buck at noon at the center, 1 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. One dollar buys your lunch, dessert and bingo card. All seniors welcome. Call (978) 827-5000 for reservations and transportation.

Craft time will be held at 1 p.m. at Forbush Memorial Library, 118 Main St., Westminster. Children ages 5 and over are invited to make a drum. Registration required. For information, call (978) 874-7416. A Harry Potter Birthday Party will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Townsend Public Library. Enjoy games, food, activities and more. Come dressed in a costume if you like and be ready for fun. For students entering grades 4 through 9. Space is limited; registration required. For information, call the (979) 597-1714.

2 THURSDAY

Dick Partridge will present "Songs from the Big Band Era" at 1:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Ave. Dick is a radio and television personality who uses his wonderful speaking voice to blend narrative with the recorded music from those great Big Bands. Everyone welcome. For information, call (978) 345- 9598.

A String Instrument Workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of Memorial Hall, Townsend. Ages 4 to adult welcome. For information, call the Townsend Public Library at (978) 597-1714.

The Ashby Band, under the musical direction of Robert Healy, will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Ashby Common. Refreshments provided.

3 FRIDAY

Visit with a local pony and enjoy a ponythemed story and craft at 11 a.m. on the lawn at Memorial Hall, Townsend. For information, call the Townsend Public Library at (978) 597-1714.

An open house will be held at 1 p.m. at Applewild School, 120 Prospect St., Fitchburg. Information and tours of the school will be available as well as entertainment and performances by summer camp participants. For information, call (978) 342- 6053, Ext. 110

Friday Night Movies presents "Flushed Away" at dusk at Riverfront Park, Fitchburg. Rated PG; 90 minutes. Sonic DJ will entertain movie-goers beforehand with fun and games at 7 p.m. Free. Visit www.discoverfitchburg. com

4 SATURDAY

The Annual Massachusetts State Chili Cook-Off will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bentley Field, Winchendon. Music, concessions, contests and more will be featured. For information, call (978) 297- 1815.

Sterling Gymnastics, 15 Industrial Road, Sterling will host a Cartwheel-A-Thon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in honor of National Gymnastics Day. This fund-raising event is part of the Tyson Fitness Challenge and will benefit the Children's Miracle Network, the alliance of premier hospitals for children. All boys and girls ages 18 and under are invited to register by Aug.1, with prizes to be awarded to all participants, as well as grand prizes to the top cartwheeler in each age division. Pledge sheets and information are available at Sterling Gymnastics or by calling (978) 422-7655.

Enjoy juggling, balloon twisting and magic with Flippo the Jugglin' Clown at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Davis' Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Road, Sterling. For information, call (978) 422-MOOO.

Miss Emma's Tea will host a Royal Princess Gala, featuring Cinderella, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Best Western Royal Plaza,

Fitchburg. Tea sandwiches, fruit, and tiara cookies will be served, along with musical games, dancing, picture opportunities with Cinderella, and Princess Favors. For ages 3 and up. Tickets are $17.50. For information, or to make reservations, call Debbie at (978) 537-6945.

5  SUNDAY

Enjoy juggling, balloon twisting and magic with Flippo the Jugglin' Clown at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Davis' Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Road, Sterling. For information, call (978) 422-MOOO.