Hello, Dedham.

Grab your calendar and don't put it down — the Dedham Police and DCEI are throwing not one, but SIX nights of National Night Out fun this week, the Bike Rodeo has a new date, and there's still time to donate to the Avery Closet.

In this week's Drop:

— KB

Missed it? The Summer 2026 Guide is still your go-to for the whole season.

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🚔 National Night Out is back. Dedham doesn't do just one night; this year's lineup runs Saturday, August 1 through Thursday, August 6 with a police open house, skating with a cop, ice cream socials, lawn games, a flashlight walk, and more. Full schedule below in What's Happening.

🚲 Bike Rodeo rolls to a new date. After getting rained out/postponed, the 2026 Bike Rodeo is now set for Wednesday, August 5, 10AM–1PM at the Endicott Estate — free, family-friendly, and worth circling on the calendar.

🎖️ Hometown Heroes Banner applications close August 5. Dedham Stars & Stripes and the Veterans Services Office are still accepting applications for Phase 2 of the banner program honoring current or former Dedham residents who served honorably. Banners are $150. Apply at dedhamma.gov/hometownheroes or pick up a paper application at the Veterans Services Office, Council on Aging, VFW Post 2017, or American Legion Post 18.

👕 Last call for the Avery Closet drive. Avery Elementary's PTO is collecting new/gently used kids' clothing, shoes, and sports gear (no helmets) through Monday, August 3. Bins are by the cafeteria door and front entrance. The free shopping event is Saturday, August 29, 12–4PM.

🏗️ Campus at 128 comment window closes August 4. MEPA's public comment period on the proposed development wraps up this week. Email [email protected] if you haven't weighed in yet.

🍽️ Dine Out Boston is back, and Legacy Place is in on it. Boston's twice-yearly restaurant week runs August 1–15, with lunch at $27/$32/$36 and dinner at $38/$46/$55. Three Legacy Place spots are participating: Il Massimo ("Experience the flavors of Italy"), The Capital Grille ($55 for three steakhouse courses), and Legal Sea Foods. A bit further out, Antonio's Bacari in Hyde Park and Abby Park, Novara, and Julianne's Kitchen & Bar — all in Milton — are also taking part if you want to make a day of it.

🔖 Design Legacy Place's next bookmark. Legacy Place is inviting young creatives to design a bookmark inspired by whatever they love most — reading, animals, outer space, their dog, their favorite snack, all fair game. Pick up a blank bookmark at Legacy Place's on-site Little Free Library, design it however you'd like, and drop your entry off at Barnes & Noble by August 31. The winning design gets printed and displayed in the Little Free Library for the whole community. Open to young artists of all ages. More info here.

📚 Free summer meals for kids continue through August 21 at Avery, Dedham Middle, Dedham High, and Paul Park — no registration required.

⚖️ A $2.4 million reason to check who's driving the bus. AG Andrea Campbell's office secured a $2.4 million settlement with Beacon Mobility — the company behind Van Pool Transportation and NRT Bus — after alleging it colluded with a competitor to carve up special education transportation contracts (and drive up prices) in Dedham, Lynn, and Saugus. Most of the money goes back to the affected towns. Full release here.

➡️ TODAY! Thursday, 7/30

🎮 Roundhead Brewing Game Night. 5–9PM.

🏃 Community Run with Live Fit Army. Roundhead Brewing. 6:30–7:45PM.

Friday, 7/31

🍻 Teacher Appreciation Fridays. 20% off food for teachers & school staff. Roundhead Brewing. 3–6PM.

Saturday, 8/1 — National Night Out, Night 1

🍽️ Family Shopping at the Dedham Food Pantry. 8AM.

🚔 Police Department Open House. Tour the police station — jail cells, booking, dispatch, a Coastal Ambulance, and police motorcycles. Goody bags, child car-seat inspections, and a visit from Community Resource Dog Ruby. Dedham Public Safety Building, 26 Bryant Street. 9AM–12PM.

🧁 Baby-Sitters Club 40th Birthday Party! Ann M. Martin's BSC books are turning 40! Celebrate with crafts, snacks and, of course, cupcakes! For Grades 2+.. 10:30-11:30AM.

Sunday, 8/2 — National Night Out, Night 2

⛸️ Public Ice Skating: Skate with a Cop. Beat the heat with a twirl on the ice — no skates required to enjoy the cool air. Boch Ice Center, 1105 East Street. 2–3PM.

Monday, 8/3 — National Night Out, Night 3

🎶 Monday Morning Music with Jonah. Endicott Branch, Back Lawn. 9:30 or 10:30AM.

🍦 Oakdale Square Ice Cream Social. Free sundaes with toppings, kids' activities, and a State 911 Department rep with safety materials for grades K–4. Oakdale Square Common. 6:30–7:30PM.

Tuesday, 8/4 — National Night Out, Night 4

🌿 Lawn Games at the Endicott Estate. Cornhole, giant Jenga, tic-tac-toe, checkers, sack races, and Connect Four. All ages. Endicott Estate, 656 East Street. 6–8PM.

🎶 Picnic on the Town Green. BYO picnic or grab takeout in the Square for a free concert — live music from Izii Is Real and Elita Starr, dancing, kids' crafts, games, and a raffle. 600 High Street. 6–8PM.

Wednesday, 8/5 — National Night Out, Night 5 + Bike Rodeo!

🚲 2026 Bike Rodeo. NEW DATE. Free bike safety course and fun for kids — helmets encouraged. Endicott Estate parking lot. 10AM–1PM.

🎨 Legacy Littles: Sensory Play. A messy sensory play class with Sensory Play Labs. Legacy Place. 10:30–11:30AM.

🌽 Dedham Summer Farmers Market. Local produce, makers, and live music. First Church lawn, 670 High St. 2–6PM.

🦕 Dino Magic and Trucks. Air-dry foam dinosaurs with library staff and Dedham Police; police, fire, DPW, and Coastal Ambulance vehicles on display. Endicott Branch Library, 257 Mt. Vernon Street. 3PM.

🔦 Flashlight Manor Neighborhood Walk. An illuminated stroll through Bonham, Trenton, Holmes, Sherman, and Ardmore Roads, ending at the Trenton Road playground with light refreshments. Escorted by Dedham Police. Meet at Terri's Market, 12 Louise Road. 7:30–8:30PM.

🎬 Outdoor Cartoon Night at Condon Park. Family-friendly PBS Kids show, hot dogs and popcorn. Bring a chair, blanket, and flashlight. Condon Park, 184 Bussey Street. 7–8PM (film at dusk).

Thursday, 8/6 — National Night Out, Final Night

📖 Children's Story Time with Ms. Kiersten. Stories, music, and a craft with Ms. Kiersten and Dedham Police Officers, covering safety in a kid-friendly way. The Blue Bunny Books and Toys, 577 High Street. 10:30AM.

🎮 Roundhead Brewing Game Night. 5–9PM.

🐕 Riverdale Hot Dog and Ice Cream Social. Neighborhood cookout with games for all ages, limited free bike helmets, and a Safe Routes to School rep for e-bike questions. Marie Louise Kehoe Park, Riverside Drive. 6–7:30PM.

More at the libraries all week — check the full calendar here

📖 Summer Reading Program — Dedham Public Library. "Unearth a Story" runs through August 22. Register here.

🏑 Dedham Youth Field Hockey — Summer Clinic. One-hour clinic for K–4th graders and new players. $10, free for new players or anyone who brings a friend. Wed, 8/5, 5:30–6:30PM. Gonzalez Field. Register here.

⚽ Dedham Youth Soccer. Late registration for Town Soccer runs through August 9 (late fee, guaranteed spot); waitlist only after that.

🏈 Dedham Youth Football is still recruiting. 2nd Grade Travel Flag needs a couple more players; 3rd/4th and 5th Grade Tackle are filling up; Town Flag K-2 runs Saturdays at Memorial Field.

🌱 Endicott Community Greenhouse — Volunteers Welcome. Stop by anytime or call 781-329-9356.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

Monday, 8/3

🌳 Open Space and Recreation Subcommittee. 6PM.

Wednesday, 8/5

🏛️ Design Review Advisory Board. 7PM.

Thursday, 8/6

🌿 Conservation Commission. 7PM.

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

🥧 Walpole Farmers Market. Sat, Aug 1, 9AM–1PM. Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole.

🍅 Canton Farmers' Market. Sun, Aug 2, 10AM–2PM. Rodman Center/Canton High School lawn.

🔔 Norwood Carillon Concerts. 50-bell Memorial Carillon. Mon, Aug 3, 6–7:30PM. Washington & Nahatan Sts.

🍅 Norwood Farmers Market. Tue, Aug 4, 2–6PM. Norwood Town Common.

🌽 Newton Farmers Market. Tue, Aug 4, 1:30–6PM, Cold Spring Park.

🌽 Westwood Farmers Market. Wed, Aug 5, 2–6PM. St. Margaret Mary Church parking lot, 845 High St.

🥕 Milton Farmers Market. Thu, Aug 6, 1–6PM. Wharf Park, Milton Village.

🐦 Dedham Biodiversity Day. Saturday, August 15, 9AM–3PM, Dolan Center.

👋 Popsicles with the Principal. Oakdale Elementary's PTO meet-and-greet with new principal Michael Maresca. August 25, 4PM.

🎨 Dedham Food Pantry Logo Contest. Submissions close August 14. Full contest rules here.

Six nights of National Night Out means six chances to bump into your neighbors this week — if you only make it to one, the Endicott Estate lawn games on Tuesday might be the most low-key one to stop by.

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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