Hello, Dedham.

May is finally knocking. The Town Green is getting busy, the Farmers Market is in full swing, and there are more things to do this weekend than any of us have excuses to stay home. Let's get into it.

This week in the Drop:

— KB

🎷 Jazz on the Green — tonight. It's International Jazz Day, and Dedham is celebrating properly. The DMS Jazz Band, DHS Jazz Band, and local group Bill O'Connor and Friends take the stage at the Town Green. Free, all-ages, bring a lawn chair. 6–9PM.

🍦 Ron's is almost back. The beloved Dedham ice cream spot posted a Dedham update this week — construction has hit a few minor snags ("construction keeps you humble"), but owner Jay says they're aiming for a May opening with a proper grand reopening. Stay tuned and keep an eye on their socials.

🍽️ Something's brewing on Providence Highway. A whole lineup of new spots is headed to Dedham. Pressed Café — known for paninis, fresh-pressed juices, soups, and bowls — is moving into the former TGI Friday's. First Watch, the award-winning breakfast-and-brunch chain, has confirmed a Dedham location is on the way. And Just Salad has a Dedham page live on their website.

🏋️ A new gym is coming to Dedham. The Little Gym — a movement-based program for kids ages 4 months to 12 years — is coming soon. Be among the first 100 to lock in their Founding Member Rate at thelittlegym-dedham.com.

⛪ A Dedham landmark needs our help. The 150-year-old Episcopal church on Cedar Street was built in 1876 and the church is in dire need of crucial renovations. Worth a watch, and worth knowing about if you're looking for a local cause to support. Contact the church at (781) 326-3052 or goodshepherd-dedham.org.

🏛️ Spring Town Meeting: Monday, May 18, 7PM at DHS. Warrant articles are posted at dedham-ma.gov. Now's the time to read up.

✳️ Have a local announcement or news item? Hit reply & let me know. Want to reach Dedham neighbors every week? Learn about sponsoring the Drop.

🏃The first-ever Greenlodge 5K Run/Walk honors beloved teacher Mark Carney, who taught at both Greenlodge and DHS. All paces welcome! Register at runsignup.com.

➡️ TODAY! Thursday, 4/30

📚 Dedham Reads Together 2026 Author Talk — The library's community read series brings in an author for a live talk. Dedham Public Library. 6:30PM.

🏋️ Sweatin' to the Oldies — A fun fitness program at the library. 6:30PM.

✍️ On Writing Characters and Powerful Portrayals of Resilience — A writing-focused program at the library. 7PM.

🀄 Mahjong 101 at Roundhead Brewing — New to the tiles? This is your chance to learn. 21+. 6:30PM.

🌕 Full Moon (May 1) The month kicks off with a full moon Thursday night — the Flower Moon. See it on Thursday and again on Friday after sunset.

Friday 5/1:

🍎 Family Shopping at the Dedham Food Pantry — 8AM.

🔍 Monthly Scavenger Hunt at the Library — All day. dedhamlibrary.com

Saturday 4/25:

🌱 Dedham Farmers Market — Open and weekly through June 6. Local produce, artisans, live music, and a free kids' craft each week. First Parish, 670 High St. 10AM–1PM.

🌸 Dedham Town Green Spring Fling — Hosted by Friends of the Town Green, this free event kicks off the Green's second season with live music from Dedham's own Sector 7G, seasonal treats, and lawn games. Rain date: Sunday 5/3. Dedham Town Green. 2PM.

🌶️ Boston Sauce Party 2026 at Trillium Canton — Dozens of hot sauce vendors, eating challenges, great beer, and food. Free admission but limited capacity — grab your ticket in advance. Trillium Canton. 11AM–6PM.

Sunday 5/3:

📚 Book Swap & Fair at Trillium Canton — Hosted by Books and Brews Boston & An Unlikely Story. Browse, swap, and find your next read over a great beer. Two sessions: Session 1: 11AM–1PM and Session 2: 1–3PM. Tickets required. Trillium Canton.

🧱 LEGO Star Wars Make & Take at Legacy Place — Head to the LEGO store to build a Star Wars N-1 Starfighter Mini and take it home — free while supplies last. Legacy Place. 12–2PM.

🎶 Notes of Generosity V — Dedham School of Music Faculty Concert — Performances from Tommy Chiu, Walter Yee, Katie Jillson, Jon Catler, Spencer Lee, and Linnea Bardarson. First Church Dedham. 5PM.

Monday 5/4:

🎶 Monday Morning Music at Endicott Branch — Live music with librarian Jonah, great for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. Register at the library. 9:30AM and 10:30AM.

🎨 Mini & Me Paint Night at Trillium Canton — Mother's Day themed paint night for you and your little one. $40/pair. Email [email protected] to register. Trillium Canton. 5–6:30PM.

Tuesday 5/5:

✍️ Mother's Day Cursive Cards at the Library — Make a handwritten card for mom. 5PM.

🌮 Cinco de Mayo at Legacy Place — with your dog — Polkadog Bakery is throwing a tail-waggin' fiesta outside Anna's Taqueria. Free BARKaritas for all four-legged guests. Complimentary chips, guac & salsa available exclusively for Legacy Place Insider members. 4–7PM.

Wednesday 5/6

📖 Elementary Book Group at Endicott Branch — Grades 2–5. A casual book group for young readers. Endicott Branch. 3:30PM.

🌀 Pulse of Becoming at the Library — 6:30PM. dedhamlibrary.com

🧠 Wednesday Trivia: Geeks Who Drink at Trillium Canton — Free to play. Teams up to 6. Prizes for bonus questions and gift cards for top teams. Trillium Canton. 6:30–8:30PM.

Thursday 5/7

🎨 Watercolor Class — Finally...Spring! at the Main Library — Renew and refresh your watercolor skills, or build new ones. For adults 18+ and seniors 55+. Main Library, Media Tables. Join the waitlist at the library. 10:30AM–12PM.

🎵 Music with Friends at the Library — 10:30AM. dedhamlibrary.com

🧬 Genealogy Talk at the Library — 6:30PM. dedhamlibrary.com

🎲 Game Night at Roundhead — Board games, arcade, local brews. 21+. 5PM.

THU 4/30 🎷 International Jazz Day — Dedham Town Green. DMS Jazz Band, DHS Jazz Band, Bill O'Connor and Friends. Free. 6–9PM.

😂 Comedy Show — Trillium Canton. Hosted by Next Stop Comedy. 7–8:30PM.

FRI 5/1 🎸 Live Music — Trillium Canton. Featuring Fil Pacino. 6–9PM.

SUN 5/3 🎵 Notes of Generosity V — Dedham School of Music. Faculty concert at First Church Dedham. 5PM.

🏃 Trillium Run Club. Every Monday at Trillium Canton. 6:30–8PM.

⚾🥎🥍🎾 DHS Spring Sports — Home Games This Week:

📆 For full schedules: DHS Athletics | Nobles & Greenough | Ursuline Academy

🌟 2026 Dedham Inclusive Sports Open House — Sunday, May 3, 10AM–Noon at DHS Track & Field Complex. Open to all — with and without disabilities. Sports stations, Special Olympics info, snacks, and giveaways. Free, registration encouraged. Questions: [email protected]

🏐 DHS Youth Volleyball Clinic — 6/19. Grades 4–8, no experience needed. DHS Gym. $40 pre-register / $45 walk-in. Contact [email protected]. 9AM–1PM.

📅 Upcoming Meetings

🗳️ Town Meeting season is here. Mark your calendars: the Warrant Review Meeting (Mini-Town Meeting) is May 11, and the Spring Annual Town Meeting is Monday, May 18 at 7PM. Warrant articles and materials are posted now at dedham-ma.gov/your-government/town-meeting.

📺 Missed a meeting? Catch replays at DedhamTV.com.

🦅 Get to Know the Blue Hills — Blue Hills Trailside Museum — A guided outdoor experience for families: tour the wildlife exhibits (river otter! snowy owls! red fox!), then hike the Red Dot Trail up toward the observatory. Kids ages 5–17, led by a Mass Audubon educator. $10–18. Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 5/3. 12–1:30PM.

🌠 Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower — peak the morning of May 5. Every year around this time, Earth passes through the debris trail left by Halley's Comet, and the result is the Eta Aquariids. This year the shower peaks in the hours before dawn on May 5, with the mornings of May 4 and 6 also being good bets. Fair warning: a nearly-full waning gibbous moon will be competing for the sky, washing out fainter meteors. Your best strategy is to find a spot where you can block the moon — the Blue Hills summit or Houghton's Pond area are excellent options — and watch in the hour before sunrise.

🎻 Eileen Ivers with the Great Hall Concert Series at Needham Town Hall — Saturday, May 2, 7:30PM. World-renowned Irish fiddler.

🔭 Blue Hill Observatory — Open weekends 10AM–4PM through May 24. One of the oldest weather observation stations in the country, sitting atop Great Blue Hill at 635 feet. Gift shop is free; summit tours available. Worth the climb for the Boston skyline views alone.

🏃 Looking ahead — Trillium Spring 5K, May 17. Supports Girls on the Run Greater Boston. Kids Fun Run + adult 5K + post-race party with beer. Registration open now.

As always, double-check links before heading out — times and details can change. If you see an error or have something to add, hit reply.

Need a little mealtime backup this week? I lean on Feast & Fettle when things get busy — chef-prepared meals delivered to your door. Use that link for 50% off your first week.*

*I’ll always call out when a brand has sponsored the Dedham Drop. Occasionally, I’ll include affiliate links. If you click, I may receive a tiny commission. Most of the time, you’ll receive an offer. Win/Win! These products/services mentioned are ones I believe in.