Westborough Connects understands that digital devices are necessary for navigating many parts of life and relationships today. Westborough Unplugs, part of National Screen Free Week, encourages us to "unplug" as we are able - to nurture our in-person social connections and discover the incredible local opportunities beyond our screens. We work with community partners to host and promote some local events, culminating in the annual Unplug and Explore Nourse Farm.

9am

Community Bike Ride, hosted by Westborough Active Transportation and Safety Committee and Westborough Police

Join this fun morning ride around Westborough. The route is about 5-8 miles. Riders will have an opportunity to shorten their ride, if they wish.

Meeting spot: Meet at the Westborough High School upper parking lot, outside the auditorium doors, 90 West Main Street.

This event is appropriate for people with experience riding on two-wheel bicycles. Children must be accompanied by an adult to participate. No pre-registration required

1-2:30pm

Plug Into the Outdoors - An all ages/ family-friendly nature walk, hosted by Westborough Community Land Trust

Turn off the devices and turn on your powers of observation and curiosity, as we look for wildflowers, birds, insects, and more! This will be a 2 ½ mile walk on relatively level woodland trails with uneven terrain and some inclines. Check the website for cancellations due to weather.

Meeting spot: MacCallum Wildlife Management Area north of Lake Chauncy. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Go straight up the hill, past the soccer fields on your left. Then take the last left turn before the parking lot for the condo building. Go toward the lake, and where that road meets the lakeshore, park in the lot near the yellow gate.

All ages welcome. No pre-registration required.

Monday, May 6th

3-5pm

Family Friendly Festival: A Trip Through Time, hosted by Westborough Public Library WAVE teen volunteer group

Join Westborough Public Library (WPL) WAVE for an awesome trip through time as we celebrate Westborough Unplugs Week. There will be tons of screen-free activities like.....trivia, scavenger hunts, music challenges, a "cake" walk, face painting and of course...cotton candy. It promises to be a fun event for ALL Ages!

Location: Westborough Public Library, 55 West Main Street

All ages welcome. No pre-registration required.

6:30-7:45pm

YOU Can Write and Publish a Book!, hosted by Westborough Historical Society and WPL

Learn the tricks of writing and getting your book published from local published authors. They include children's book authors: former Hastings teacher Tom Salvemini with "Band of Gorillas" and Wednesday Boateng of the "Little Kofi" series; Philip Kittredge with a photographic history of Westborough; Jillian Hensley with the historical fiction "In This Strange Soil" about the 1704 capture of the Rice boys; and memoir writer and instructor Mary Bottecelli Christensen, who will host the panel.

Location: Westborough Public Library

This program is geared towards adults. No pre-registration required.

4-5:30pm

Family Game Day at WPL, hosted by Westborough Youth & Family Services and WPL Children's Room

Celebrate "Westborough Unplugs" Week with the kids by playing some good old fashioned board games! Drop by the library to enjoy an afternoon of games with family and friends. We'll have a craft and some light snacks too!

Location: Westborough Public Library

Open to kids of all ages with a caregiver but designed for ages 4-11. No pre-registration required. 

5:30-6:15pm

Outdoor Group Workout, hosted by MidStrong

Take advantage of our exciting outdoor workout led by the MidStrong coaches at Bay State Commons on Tuesday, May 7th, at 5:15 p.m. This session will focus on body weight movements and promise a fun and challenging experience for all fitness levels. Bring a towel or yoga mat and a water bottle.

Location: Westborough's Bay State Green

This program is for adults. Registration required. Click HERE to register.

4-7pm

Ice Cream Wednesday, hosted by Scoop on Real Estate & Scoop Enjoyment Officer (SEO) Amy Dwyer

Visit Amy outside of Uhlman's Ice Cream to learn about Ice Cream Wednesday. The first 50 people to register will win a gift card to enjoy some ice cream of their own. Registration begins week of April 29th.

Click HERE to watch a video about Ice Cream Wednesday.

6:30-7:45pm

Puzzle Speed Contest, hosted by Westborough Public Library

Unplug from screens and connect with your community by teaming up for this puzzle challenge! Four identical puzzles will be on the tables in the Main Floor Reading Room. Put together a team of up to four members, and race to see which group can put the pieces together first. Winning team members will receive a prize! Arrive early--puzzling begins at 6:30pm sharp.

Location: Westborough Public Library

This event is for adults and teens 16+ participating as teams. Registration required. Click HERE to register.

4-8pm

Panera Bread Fundraiser to Benefit Westborough Connects!

Purchase food from Panera Bread in Westborough and 20% of the sale will be donated to Westborough Connects. This is a great way to support initiatives such as Westborough Unplugs! IMPORTANT: Must show a digital copy or print out of the flyer when ordering. Dine in or take your order to go!

Location: Panera Bread in Westborough, 600 Union Street

All ages welcome. No pre-registration required (but you must show the flyer).

5:30-7:30pm

Turquoise Table Meetup at Bookin' It to Bay State, hosted by Realtor Stephanie Stuchlik

Come to Bay State Green to speak with Stephanie and learn about this simple concept of placing a turquoise table in the front yard to foster connection among neighbors and communities.

Location: Westborough's Bay State Green

All ages welcome. No pre-registration required.

10-11:30am

Connect Over Coffee, hosted by Westborough Connects

Drop by for a free cup of coffee and a pastry. Connect Over Coffee meet ups are informal opportunities for social connection and a great time to learn more about Westborough Connects.

Location: Red Barn Coffee Roasters in Westborough

All ages welcome. No pre-registration required.

3:15-4pm

Family Workout, hosted by Prototype Training Systems

Attention families: Put down the phones and put on the sneakers for an afternoon workout to end the week. Join Prototype trainers for this family-friendly workout in their gym.

Location: Prototype Training Systems, 50 East Main Street, Unit 1

This event is for kids and families (ages 10+). This is not a drop-off event. Registration & Waiver required. Click HERE for registration/waiver.

3:30-5pm

Reading Buddies, hosted by WPL Children's Room

Here's a chance for kids to unplug from screens and connect with a new friend by teaming up with a teenager to practice their reading! Reading Buddies is a teen-run program designed to give emerging or reluctant readers additional reading practice. Participants will be paired with a buddy from the high school that will listen to them read and provide encouragement along the way. Children can bring their own books or can choose one with their buddy. This program will take place in the Children's Room. 

Location: Westborough Public Library

This event is for children in grades K-4. Registration required. Click HERE to register.

9-10am

Walk for Wellness, hosted by Wholistic Health Alliance and WHS Youth Brigade

Join us for 'Walk for Wellness' with family and friends around the beautiful Chauncy Lake. Take some strides towards your physical and mental well-being in this beautiful nature trail, while also supporting the community initiatives and Youth Empowerment projects of the Wholistic Health Alliance, a 501c3 National non-profit. We will have other fun arts activities, positive affirmations poster board and more. We look forward to welcoming you

Location: Lake Chauncy trailhead.

All ages welcome. No pre-registration required.

12-4pm

Unplug and Explore Nourse Farm, hosted by Nourse Farm and Westborough Connects

Cap off Westborough Unplugs 2024 with this much enjoyed annual event at Nourse Farm. From its rolling green hills, varied berry bushes and even its Hereford cattle, Nourse Farm offers the Westborough community a chance to unplug and reconnect with the natural beauty around us. Today's local food movement has created a surge of interest in buying local, fresh fruit and vegetables, and the farm is proud to showcase its greens, as well as its animals and green space. There is something for everyone!

As part of Westborough Unplugs, Westborough Connects also promotes resources and tips for restoring balance of screen use in our everyday lives.

HERE is a link to a printable 2023 Westborough Unplugs Resources Guide.

Enjoy this 2023 re-cap video produced by Westborough TV!