Hello, Dedham.
The Fourth is here, and so is the week that somehow always feels both the shortest and the fullest. Between the fireworks, farmers markets, and a World Cup Quarterfinal at Gillette, there's a lot going on. And somewhere in there, your kids are supposed to read a book.
In this week's Drop:
What to do (and what to skip) for the long weekend
Summer Reading is open and prizes are real
Your chance to help shape The Dedham Drop
Happy Fourth!
— KB
Quick ask: We’re looking to learn more about who's reading and what you care about. Takes 30 seconds, right here.
📰 Digest
🌞 ICYMI: Summer 2026 Guide is out! If you missed Tuesday's special edition, it has everything you need to plan your summer — outdoor concerts, festivals, pool days, sky events, and more. Bookmark it. Read the Summer 2026 Guide →
📜 Words that still land. On the morning of July 4th, the Dedham Museum & Archive is bringing the Declaration back to the Town Green — the same way Dedham residents heard it 250 years ago. Seven community speakers will read the full text, guided by a narrator who'll walk through the history and context of that original 1776 reading right here in town. Free and open to all, 8–11AM on the Town Green. The Museum will also be open afterward for its exhibit, Dedham in Revolutionary Times.
⚽️ World Cup Quarterfinal at Gillette — Thursday, July 9. Boston's final World Cup match is a big one: a Quarterfinal on Thursday, July 9 at 4PM at Gillette Stadium. On that matchday, the Franklin Line will not run between Readville and Windsor Gardens — which means no commuter rail service at Endicott or Dedham Corporate Center stations. Plan ahead at mbta.com.
🚰 Water restrictions remain in effect. The Dedham-Westwood Water District's Level 2 Mandatory Water Restrictions are still in place. Outdoor watering is prohibited, with limited exceptions. Full details at dwwd.org.
🦟 Heads up, Dedham. The Mass. Dept. of Public Health confirmed on June 30 that West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected in Dedham. Risk level remains low, but it's a good reminder to use insect repellent with DEET or picaridin when heading outside, especially around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Drain any standing water around your yard, and make sure your window screens are in good shape. More info at mass.gov/dph/mosquito.
❄️ Beat the heat this week. The Town has cooling locations open through the holiday weekend:
Town Hall / Ames Senior Center (450 Washington St) — 8:30AM–4:30PM, June 30–July 2; closed July 3
Main Library (43 Church St) — 9AM–8PM, June 30–July 2; closed July 3–5
Endicott Branch (257 Mt. Vernon St) — 12–8PM June 30 & July 2; 9AM–5PM July 1; closed July 3–4
Condon Park Splash Pad (Bussey St) — 8AM–8PM daily, all ages welcome
🌳 Weigh in on Dedham's green future. Public comments on the draft 2026 Open Space & Recreation Plan are open through July 20. Have a park, trail, or open space you care about? Say something. Online form available in multiple languages at beheard.dedham-ma.gov/osrc2026.
📚 Free meals for kids, all summer. The Dedham Public Schools Summer Meals Program runs through August 21 — free meals for all kids 18 and under, no registration required. Locations include Avery, Dedham Middle, Dedham High, and Paul Park.
Have a local announcement or news item? Hit reply and let us know.
📚 Did You Know?
Dedham was incorporated in 1636, making it one of the oldest towns in the country and already 140 years old when the Declaration of Independence was signed. The town that helped invent public education in America was there for the whole American story, from the very beginning.
📆 What’s Happening
➡️ TODAY! Thursday, 7/2
🎮 Game Night at Roundhead. Board games, arcade games, and local brews in the taproom. 21+. 5–9PM. Roundhead Brewing, Hyde Park.
Friday, 7/3
🎆 Town offices & library closed.
Saturday, 7/4 — Independence Day
🌞 For more 4th of July activities, check out the Summer 2026 Guide →
📜 Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Seven community speakers read the full text of the Declaration on the Town Green — the same way Dedham heard it 250 years ago, guided by a narrator walking through the history. Free and open to all. 8–11AM. Town Green. The Dedham Museum & Archive opens afterward for its exhibit, Dedham in Revolutionary Times. Sponsored by Legacy Place.
Sunday, 7/5
🎷 Portrait in Jazz — Norwood Concerts on the Common. Kicks off the 2026 season at the Walter J. Dempsey Memorial Bandstand. Free — bring a blanket. 6:30PM. Norwood Town Common.
Tuesday, 7/7
🦕 Dinosaurs & Desserts. A read-aloud program for 1st–3rd graders, part of the Summer Reading Program. 5–6PM. Main Library, Children's Room.
🎵 Concerts on the Green. Free live music on the Town Green, presented by Dedham Square Circle. Bring dinner from the Square and a lawn chair. 6–8PM. Town Green.
Wednesday, 7/8
👶 Baby & Me Storytime. Stories, songs, and fingerplays for the youngest readers and their caregivers. 9:30AM. Endicott Branch, Children's Area.
🎤 Sing-Along Storytime. Sing, dance, shake, and move with Miss Annabelle. 10:30AM. Endicott Branch, Children's Area.
🌽 Dedham Summer Farmers Market. Local produce, specialty foods, makers, and live music on the First Church lawn. 2–5PM. 670 High St.
🚒 Touch-A-Truck. Get up close with the town vehicles that keep Dedham running — part of the Summer Reading Program. No registration required. 3–4:30PM. Endicott Branch, Back Lawn.
🎶 Arts at Endicott: Summer Concert Series. Another evening on the lawn of the Endicott Estate. Free and family-friendly. 6:30PM opening act, 7PM main performance.
Get the word out, Dedham!
If you have a business, event, open house, or opportunity to share with our neighbors, a guaranteed spot in their inbox starts at $25.
🎤 Live Music
🎸 Ward Hayden & The Outliers — The Springsteen Sessions. Thu 7/2, 7PM. The Fallout Shelter, Norwood. Tickets required.
🎵 Concerts on the Green — Dedham. Mon 7/7, 6–8PM. Town Green. Free.
🎷 Portrait in Jazz — Norwood Concerts on the Common. Sat 7/5, 6:30PM. Norwood Town Common. Free.
🎶 Arts at Endicott. Wed 7/8, 7PM. Endicott Estate lawn. Free.
🏃 Activities & Sports
📖 Summer Reading Program — Dedham Public Library. "Unearth a Story" runs now through August 22. All ages can read, log their books, and earn prizes — Pre-Reader through Adult. Pick up a reading log at either library location or download one here. Register here.
⚽ Dedham Youth Soccer Summer Camp. Two week-long sessions at Memorial Park in August (Aug 10–14 or Aug 17–21), 5:30–7:45PM. Ages 7–18. Resident pricing: $170/week or $270/both weeks. Register online. Contact [email protected] or 617-281-0542.
🥕 Farmers Market POP Club. The Power of Produce Club is at the Dedham Farmers Market this summer — a free program for kids ages 4–10. Registered kids get $5 weekly tokens to spend on produce, plus crafts and activities. Runs July 8–29, capped at 30 kids/week. Sign up fast: [email protected].
🌱 Endicott Community Greenhouse — Volunteers Welcome. Stop by anytime or call 781-329-9356.
🏛️ Civics class
🌳 Open Space & Recreation Plan — Comments Close July 20. This is your chance to weigh in on how Dedham protects and invests in its parks and open spaces for the next decade. Comment online at beheard.dedham-ma.gov/osrc2026. Printed forms available on request.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
💰 Commissioners of Trust Funds — Wed, July 8, 7PM. Regular meeting. Open to the public.
♻️ Sustainability Advisory Committee — Wed, July 8, 6:30PM. Regular meeting. Open to the public.
🌊 Stormwater Public Hearing — Thu, July 9, 3PM. Open to the public. Check dedham-ma.gov for location and agenda details.
🌿 Conservation Commission — Thu, July 9, 7PM. Regular meeting. Open to the public.
📺 Missed a meeting or event? Catch replays at DedhamTV.com.
💭 Closing thoughts
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.
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