🪱 Before you dive into cider donuts and haunted hayrides, here’s a quirky Central Mass fact to chew on: Worcester is the birthplace of the smiley face 😀 (thanks to Harvey Ball in 1963). Yup, the world’s most famous grin was born right here — so when we tell you to “keep smiling through pumpkin-spice season,” we’ve got hometown authority.
Now grab your flannel, your appetite, and maybe a rake (those leaves aren’t gonna move themselves), because here’s what’s happening around town this week…
In this week’s Wormtown Weekly:
Auxilium Worcester
Worcester Memorial Auditorium Revival
Pumpkin Spice Season (really)
Check out our first Local Business Spotlight!
Keepin it Local
🚀 Worcester Wants to Be a Startup Town (Yes, Really)
Auxilium Worcester just launched its first accelerator cohort downtown, giving three health-tech startups $250K each, plus mentorship and office space. They even teamed up with Rhode Island’s startup hub to share resources. Worcester as the next Kendall Square? Hey, stranger things have happened.
👉 Read more
💸 $5,000 Grants for Diverse Small Businesses
The City of Worcester rolled out a new program handing out $5K grants to women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses that complete state diversity certification. Think of it as a little nudge to help local entrepreneurs get access to government contracts (aka the steady paycheck club).
👉 Get the details
🏗 From Saint-Gobain to GreenTech Park
The old Saint-Gobain site in Greendale is getting a massive glow-up. More than 50 acres of demo later, the land is being rebranded as GreenTech Park, with shiny new industrial/manufacturing spaces planned. Translation: jobs, investment, and maybe one fewer abandoned building to drive past.
👉 Learn more
🏢 Redevelopment at 204 Main Street Boosts Downtown
The long-vacant building at 204 Main Street in downtown Worcester is getting new life. It’s being converted into workforce housing, plus retail storefronts (including the Garden Fresh Courthouse Café). The idea: repurpose a historic space, support local commerce, and energize Main Street.
👉 Read more
💸 $25 Million State Match to Revive Worcester Memorial Auditorium
Governor Healey just committed $25 million in matching funds to resurrect the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. The plan is to reimagine the space as a multiuse venue for concerts, comedy, e-sports, and more — a cultural anchor for downtown.
👉 Read more
What’s Happening
🍂 Fun Fall Things to Do Around Worcester
🎃 Glowing Wild at Tower Hill
When: Starts Friday, Sept 26 (Fridays & Saturdays, evenings)
Where: New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, Boylston
Why go: Garden paths after dark with glowing installations and spooky-beautiful plant art. Perfect for photos and atmospheric walks.
🍻 Wachusett Mountain OktoberFest
When: Sat–Sun, Sept 27–28
Where: Wachusett Mountain, Princeton
Why go: Beer tents, German food, live music, and autumn views — an outdoorsy Oktoberfest without the international flight.
🦁 Harvest Fest at Southwick’s Zoo
When: Sat–Sun, Sept 27–28
Where: Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon
Why go: Hayrides, fall activities, and animal encounters — the classic family combo of pumpkins plus giraffes.
🍏 Tougas Family Farm — Apple & Pumpkin Picking
When: Open daily through October
Where: Tougas Family Farm, Northborough
Why go: Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, cider donuts, and all the fall-farm vibes you can shake a hay bale at.
📚 Football Party at Worcester Public Library
When: Thursday, Sept 26 • 3:30–5:00 PM
Where: Worcester Public Library — Main Branch, 3 Salem Square, Worcester
Why go: Free crafts, games, and snacks for kids — a cozy community kickoff to the fall sports season.
Have a Heart!
This comes directly from the “Millbury Site 5.0” Facebook group.
This little girl is looking for her forever home! We did get a anonymous call that her name is Lala if anyone has any other information about her or would be interested in adopting her please call 774-808-6035
If you have any issues getting in touch with someone about this sweet girl and don’t have access to the Millbury Site 5.0 on Facebook feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] and I’ll see what I can find out for you. Lets find her a home!
Upcoming Live Music Events
🎶 Local Live Music — Worcester + Nearby TownsFriday, September 26Blue Light Bandits Cold Chocolate Saturday, September 27Bone City Stefan Couture (Singer-Songwriter) Lizzy Marquis Sunday, September 28The Flock (Jazz Collective) Sunday Gravy (Acoustic Trio) |
Local Business Spotlight
🍿 The Elm Draught House, Millbury’s Quirky Gem
If you’ve never been to the Elm Draught House Cinema at 35 Elm St in Millbury, consider this your sign. It’s a one-screen theater that doubles as a bar, where you can watch movies with a beer and a basket of popcorn that costs less than your morning coffee.
Opened back in 1937, the Elm has survived the streaming wars, the multiplex takeover, and at least 47 Marvel movies. Today it still packs the house for classics, new releases, and those “beer and a movie” nights that feel like a community hangout more than a night at the movies.
It’s old-school charm meets modern fun — a local institution that’s been keeping Central Mass entertained (and hydrated) for decades. So next time you’re wondering what to do on a Friday night, skip the couch. Head to the Elm, grab a pint, and watch the big screen the way it was meant to be enjoyed: with your neighbors.
Thank you!
That’s a wrap! You officially know more about the Worcester area than most of your neighbors (but don’t let it go to your head)
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PS. Do you know a business or individual that could use a shoutout? Lemme know here! [email protected]