All Ages

Join us for an amazing summer evening at Appleton Farms as we explore the oldest method of cookery…..fire! Inspired by the farm’s very own wood-fired Earth Oven, this special workshop celebrates the season with signature recipes featuring the freshest farm ingredients along with all the skills needed to enjoy your own backyard grilling all summer long. Class begins in the farm kitchen with menu preparation, culinary tips, and instruction before heading outdoors to the kitchen patio for fun grilling, dining, and local beer!

In this fun program, kids will explore how magic tricks really work. This program investigates the science behind the “magic” of several classic magic tricks. You might learn how to snatch a tablecloth without disturbing the items on top, make a balloon fireproof, and use electromagnetism to defy gravity. For the grand finale, our educator demonstrates how science can make it safe to lie down on a real bed of nails.

Chill with the coolest guys in town in the heat of Summer! Enjoy a cool visit to Cape Pond Ice Company, icing Gloucester's fleet since 1848. We were featured in Sebastian Junger's account of The Perfect Storm. This tour highlights the history of the ice industry, with vintage film of natural ice harvests. See first hand 300-pound block ice being made (up to 350 tons per day), fishing vessels taking on ice and ice sculptures being carved in the historic icehouse on Gloucester's working waterfront. Wear warm clothing and shoes!  Signup with the library! 

Chris Plante is a Newburyport native who spent his early career as lead singer and writer of popular nationally touring act, The Brew. Career highlights have included having a hit in the Top 100 AAA Radio Charts with his song “When Darkness Comes” and sharing the stage with The Allman Brothers, Michael McDonald, Bruce Hornsby, The Black Keys and many others. Since stepping away from The Brew in 2013, Chris continues to grow musically, developing a body of up-tempo and groove-oriented songs that extend his indie pop sensibilities into fresh lyrical and melodic terrain. Today he leads a six-piece band featuring Kelly Kane, The Brew’s original drummer, co-producer Alex Sandman, Trumpeter Steve Faria and top-level talent from Berklee College of Music including multi-instrumentalist Daniel Alvarez De Toledo and British guitarist Elliott Marchent. Chris Plante is an officially endorsed Yamaha Contemporary Pianist. He is currently in the studio working towards the release of a new full-length album.