Hello, Dedham.

This is the big one — the Square shuts down to traffic Thursday night for Summer Stroll, with two stages of live music, a new Roundhead beer garden, and 50+ vendors. And Sunday, the World Cup wraps up for good, this time down in Jersey.

In this week's Drop:

So glad you're here!

— KB

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

Quick ask: We’re looking to learn more about who's reading and what you care about. Takes 30 seconds, right here.

📚 Our fave local bookshop got the CBS Boston treatment this week — a look at how the shop is sparking creativity in kids through its events and curated selection. Watch the segment here.

🎉 Summer Stroll is Thursday. Dedham Square Circle's street festival takes over High Street and Eastern Ave from 5:30–10:30PM for road closures, with the main event running 6–9PM — live music on two stages, a new Roundhead Brewing beer garden, food trucks, kids' activities, and 50+ vendors. Rain date is Thursday, July 23.

⚽ World Cup Final — Sunday, 7/19, 3PM. The tournament wraps up at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ — Boston's part is done, but it's still the biggest sports day of the summer.

🚧 East Street roadwork underway. The MBTA's contractor rescheduled the overnight closure to Tuesday, July 15, 8PM–4:30AM for roadway striping and painting — if you missed the notice, that's why. Daytime work (striping, painting, landscaping, sign installation) continues through July, with possible shoulder closures but no detours expected. Detour map here.

🎨 Design the Food Pantry's next logo. The Dedham Food Pantry is inviting the whole community — pros, students, hobbyists, anyone with a Dedham connection — to submit original logo designs for its first-ever public contest. Up to 3 entries per person; the winner gets a $150 local gift card, a framed copy of the logo, and an invite to the unveiling after Labor Day. Submissions close August 14. Full contest rules here.

🚉 Accessibility upgrades underway at Endicott Station. The MBTA has started its Mini High Safety Improvements project — new ADA-compliant platforms, a re-graded parking area, and rebuilt sidewalks along Depot Street. Work began in June, with the upgraded platforms expected open this winter.

💧 Riverside Drive Water Main — hearing tonight. Dedham-Westwood Water District's virtual public hearing on the Riverside Drive Water Main Replacement Project is tonight, Thursday, 7/16, 6:30PM on Zoom. More info at dwwd.org/riverside.

🌳 Last call: Open Space & Recreation Plan comments. Public comments on the draft 2026–2036 plan close Monday, July 20. beheard.dedham-ma.gov/osrc2026.

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

Have a local announcement or news item? Hit reply and let us know!

➡️ TODAY! Thursday, 7/16

🎉 Summer Stroll. Dedham Square Circle's street festival — live music, food, shopping, and a new Roundhead beer garden. 6–9PM (street closures from 5:30PM). Dedham Square / Town Green. Rain date 7/23.

💧 Riverside Drive Water Main Replacement — Public Hearing. Virtual, on Zoom. 6:30PM.

📚 Migrant Heart: Healing Through Storytelling with Reyna Grande. Virtual Author Talk. 2PM.

📚 LGBTQ+ Book Group. Main Library. 7PM.

Friday, 7/17

🍻 Teacher Appreciation Fridays. 20% off food for teachers and school staff. 3–6PM. Roundhead Brewing, Hyde Park.

📚 Dino Club. Water play for kids. Main Library. 10:45AM.

📚 Senior Center Book Group. Ames Senior Center. 11:30AM.

Saturday, 7/18

🎨 Not Your Average Cardboard Recycling Day. Monthly flattened-cardboard drop-off for residents. 9AM–Noon.

🛒 Family food shopping at Dedham Food Pantry. 8AM.

Monday, 7/20

🌳 Open Space & Recreation Plan — comments close today. beheard.dedham-ma.gov/osrc2026.

🎨 Summer Youth Arts Program. Mother Brook Arts & Community Center. 9AM.

📚 Dinosaur Trackways. Fred Venne of the Beneski Museum brings ancient dinosaur footprints to life. Main Library. 6PM.

📚 The Black Experience of the Revolution — with Herstorian Gracia Collins Rich. Zoom. 7PM.

Tuesday, 7/21

🎵 Concerts on the Green. Free live music presented by Dedham Square Circle. Bring dinner from the Square and a lawn chair. 6–8PM. Town Green.

📚 Baby & Toddler Time. Dedham Public Library. 9:30AM.

📚 Preschool Storytime. Main Library. 10:30AM.

📚 Learn with Laughter. A high-energy circus show with Étienne. Main Library. 6PM.

Wednesday, 7/22

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

👑 Legacy Littles: Princess Storytime & Tea Party. Storytelling, sing-alongs, and photos with the princesses; proceeds benefit Boston Children's Needham. Ages 3–8. 10:30–11:30AM. Legacy Place.

🎶 Arts at Endicott: Summer Concert Series. 6:30PM opening act, 7PM main performance. Endicott Estate lawn.

📚 Baby & Me Storytime. Endicott Branch. 9:30AM.

📚 Sing-Along Storytime. Endicott Branch. 10:30AM.

📚 Pokémon Club. Endicott Branch. 3:30PM.

Thursday, 7/23

🎉 Summer Stroll — Rain Date. Only happens if 7/16 gets rained out. 6–9PM.

📚 Adult Coloring with Museums from Around the World. Summer Reading-themed coloring with snacks and lemonade. Main Library. 6:30PM.

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

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🎉 Summer Stroll. The A-Beez — 6:30–9PM, Main Stage. Jonny Goes To Boston — 6–6:30PM & 7:30–8PM, 2nd Stage (3 Eastern Ave). Thu 7/16.

🎵 Concerts on the Green — Dedham. Tue 7/21, 6–8PM. Town Green. Free.

🎶 Arts at Endicott. Wed 7/22, 7PM. Endicott Estate lawn. Free.

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

🥕 Farmers Market POP Club. Free Power of Produce program for kids 4-10 — $5 weekly tokens for produce, plus crafts. Runs through July 29.

🎒 DYC Zip Trippers. Free summer trips and activities for grades 7–10. Join the waitlist.

⚽ Dedham Youth Soccer. Two things to know: late registration for Town Soccer runs through August 9 with a late fee (guaranteed spot); after that it's waitlist-only. And Preschool Kickers (age 4+ by 9/1) is filling on a first-come basis for Saturday sessions Sept. 12–Nov. 14 — new families get a ball and jersey. Kindergarteners should sign up for Town Soccer instead.

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

🌳 Open Space & Recreation Plan — Comments Close July 20. Your last chance to weigh in on how Dedham protects its parks and open spaces for the next decade. beheard.dedham-ma.gov/osrc2026.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

🏛️ Council on Aging Board — Thu, July 16, 5:15PM.

💧 Riverside Drive Water Main Replacement — Public Hearing — Thu, July 16, 6:30PM, virtual.

🏫 School Committee — Thu, July 16, 6:30PM.

🏛️ Planning Board — Wed, July 22, 6PM.

🏛️ Select Board — Thu, July 23, 6:30PM.

🌿 Conservation Commission — Thu, July 23, 7PM.

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

🥕 Milton Farmers Market. Weekly market at Wharf Park. Thu, July 16 & 23, 1–6PM. Milton Village.

🍅 Norwood Farmers Market. Local farm stands, bakeries, artisans, plus games and music for kids. Tue, July 21, 2–6PM. Norwood Town Common.

🌽 Needham Farmers Market — taking 2026 off. After 13 seasons, organizers are regrouping and hope to return in 2027.

🎵 Newton Performances in the Park. Free weekly outdoor concert. Sun, July 19, 6–7:30PM. Newton Centre Bowl.

🌽 Newton Farmers Market. Sat, July 18, 9:30AM–12:30PM, Newton North High School; Tue, July 21, 1:30–6PM, Cold Spring Park.

🎶 Canton Summer Concerts: "Back in Time." Wed, July 22, 6:30PM. Canton High School front lawn.

🥕 Canton Farmers' Market. Local produce and goods on the front lawn of the Rodman Center/Canton High School. Sun, July 19, 10AM–2PM.

🌽 Westwood Farmers Market. Weekly market, free to attend. Wed, July 22, 2–6PM. St. Margaret Mary Church parking lot, 845 High St., Westwood.

🥧 Walpole Farmers Market. Local farmers, bakers, artisans, and live entertainment throughout the season. Sat, July 18, 9AM–1PM. Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole.

🎪 National Night Out. Monday, August 4, Endicott Estate.

🐦 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.

🍉 One sweet update: MEZŌ Mediterranean just launched Krasi Pops — fruit pops paired with Greek wine, $5 extra with any glass. Watermelon with rosé, mango with sauvignon blanc, pineapple with chardonnay. Cheers!

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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