Cape Cod Part II: Hyannis

This is the second part in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod Series.

Hyannis has so much to see and do, including art, rich cultural and historical experiences as well as culinary wonders and shopping excursions, making it an ideal locale to visit on your next Cape Cod adventure.

If traveling from Boston the Capeflyer offers trains Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from South Station. Hop on board and avoid sitting in traffic! Snacks and drinks are available on board and you can even bring your bike. Insider tip: If bringing your bike you will need to place it in the very last car where all of the bicycles are stored.

First stop on the trip, once you have arrived, be sure to check out the artist shanties, which are conveniently located walking distance from Main Street, at Hyannis Harbor. In addition, you will find more artists and their craftsmanship directly across the street. The shanties are a venue in which local painters, sculptors, and photographers can showcase their best art. Artists who work in a wide variety of mediums can all be found here. The Hyannis Harbor is also the spot for people watching and catching a boat out to the islands of Nantucket and/or Martha's Vineyard.

For history buffs, the Hyannis Kennedy Legacy Trail is a must. The legacy trail is self-guided so you can continue at whatever pace you need to. The trail will bring you to the "Church of the Kennedy's" which is St. Francis Xiaver, located one block from Main Street. Also on South Street, you will find the Armory where on the day of November 9, 1960, JFK gave his Presidential acceptance speech. You could find yourself walking literally in the footsteps of a former President! 

While on the Legacy Trail you will find that Hyannis is a place with a past. Right on Main Street is a statue and plaque in tribute to the Wampanoag Chieftain, Sachem Iyanough who befriended and aided the early settlers. Fun fact: Hyannis bears a derivative of his name (something to impress your friends with when you return from Cape Cod.) In the photo below, you will see the statue of Wampanoag Chieftain. Behind the statue lies Hyannis Village Green where events are happening nightly. Recently the Boston Pops performed and there was a live performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Insider tip: Be sure to arrive early for events to get the best spot. 

 Conveniently located on Main Street is the JFK Museum. Be sure to devote some time to explore all the museum to its fullest extent. Insider tip: The museum closes at 4 pm each day and does not open until noon on Sunday. Be mindful of this when arranging this stop within your travel itinerary.

Stop #10 on the Hyannis Legacy Trail is Veterans Beach which is a must-see. Best to visit the beach in the morning or late afternoon as the beach does tend to become crowded during the peak season.

Insider tip: If you are without a bike, take the free trolley from the Hyannis Transportation Center. Although Hyannis is extremely walkable, the trolley will stop at all of the hot spots including Veterans Beach!

If you find yourself looking to travel to the beach, Kalmus beach is conveniently located close to Veterans Beach and is much quieter. To arrive at Kalmus beach simply go past the Hyannis Yacht Club which is at the end of Veterans Beach.

Looking for a quick lunch spot? Look no further than Palio Pizza at 435 Main Street. For a more formal lunch or dinner, you can travel one block from Main Street to 72 North Street where the Portside Tavern is a family-owned restaurant offering a variety of foods including seafood caught daily.

No trip to Hyannis is complete without a trip to Ben and Jerry's at 352 Main Street. A great place to have a sweet treat after shopping and seeing the sights on Main Street.

For now it is time to say "Good Night Cape Cod" but this isn't good bye for The Red Balloon's Cape Cod series continues so stay tuned for the next locale complete with insider tips coming soon!

Happy Trails from Hyannis!

King Richard's Faire: Insider Info

If you haven't yet been to King Richard's Faire, what are you waiting for? Only two weekends remain: this one and the next as the Faire will come to a close after October 21st.

Hailed as New England's largest and longest running Renaissance Faire, King Richard's offers entertainment for all ages: rides, games, unique artistry, food and drink, and endless characters.

Upon entering the enchanted forests you will enter a whole new world. The faire welcomes those who enter to dress up and if you don't have a particular outfit to suit the Renaissance era, never fear for the faire boasts a costume shoppe with an extensive collection of pieces from the period. Once you have your wardrobe, you will be set to explore the forest more in-depth. Within its wooded surroundings, all things of beauty abound for there is a show at the faire for all. Acrobats, magicians, singers, dancers, stilt walkers, and even knights joust on horseback. The faire will take you back in time!

The faire offers special events/themed weekends on particular dates so be sure to check out the official website, listed below. On the weekend of The Red Balloon's visit, there was the HIGHly anticipated Highland Hunks/Men in Kilts Competition. For those who have never before attended a Men in Kilts Competition, it is recommended that you place the date on your calendar for 2019. This year's competition brought so many onlookers that it was standing room only by the time the contest began! Keep in mind that none of those in the competition yet knew what was in store for them, nor did they know what the prize would be, but all gave their renaissance best in order to be crowned this year's Highland Hunk!

For all the details on special events/themed weekends or to purchase tickets: https://kingrichardsfaire.net/

Insider tip: The faire offers extensive free parking, just be sure to check which colored flag you are parked closest too in order to find your car on the way out!

King Richard's Faire!

ESCAPE YOUR REALITY, COME TO KING RICHARD’S FAIRE –
THE NEW ENGLAND RENAISSANCE FAIRE IN CARVER, MASS. NOW IN FULL SWING

The Faire Runs Weekends and Monday Holidays From September 1 Through October 21, 2018

CARVER, Mass. (September 14, 2018) -- King Richard's Faire, New England's largest and longest-running Renaissance Faire, is now underway for its 37th season, running weekends from September 1 through October 21, 2018 including Monday holidays (Labor Day, Columbus Day). Tucked away on an 80-acre, wooded site just off Rt. 58 in Carver, Mass., King Richard's Faire is one of the region’s premiere fall events.

Guests are treated to a bevy of delights, from high-flying aerial artists to food fit for a King. The Faire is home to eight stages, a mud show, and a tournament field all packed with interactive entertainment, from musicians and magicians to actors and acrobats. All day, performers engage their audiences and guests stroll the “lanes” of Carvershire exploring all the event has to offer – there’s plenty to do at King Richard’s Faire, from cheering on daring knights jousting on horseback to shopping for handmade wares and games of skill.

This year, King Richard’s Faire welcomes a benevolent and beautiful new Queen Anne with King Richard XI to the royal cast, along with musical acts 3 Pints Shy, Music the Gathering, and Meraki Caravan alongside fan favorites The Washing Well Wenches, Great Cats of the World exotic cat show, the Sturdy Beggars Mud Show, The Torture Show, and world record-setting Jacques Ze Whipper. King Richard, Queen Anne and their royal court are up to some crazy antics in this season’s all new musical comedy “Torn Between Two Villans” featured twice daily on the King’s Stage. Brave knights, competing on horseback, hold jousting tournaments three times daily in challenges of bravery and daring feats of athleticism. New performer Kevin Armour of “Up In Arms” showcases his juggling prowess; Tom Frost performs as “Akordeon by Tomas” accordion show, and for the first four weekends only, Snorkle the Wonder Pig makes guests laugh and smile with his stunts, with the magicians of The Wonder Show delighting guests for the remaining four weekends.

For foodies, the royal kitchens offer oversized bakery delectables, giant turkey legs, bread boules of chowder and stew, seasonal beverages and of course champagne, wine, and brew. In addition to the world famous giant turkey legs, the royal kitchens prepare pulled pork mac and cheese, blooming onions and sweet cinnamon buns.

Special events and contests are free with paid admission, and are held each Saturday at 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted, and add extra excitement to fun-filled Faire days. Visit the website (kingrichardsfaire.net) for registration guidelines and restrictions.

2018 Special Event Schedule:

·         9/1: Carver Resident Day - free admission for Carver residents with proper ID

·         9/2: Salute to Safety - free admission to military persons active/retired/veteran as well as police, fire and EMS personnel with proper ID

·         9/3: Labor Day - Open

·         9/8: Cleavage Contest (18+)

·         9/15: Romance is in the Faire - Vow Renewal Ceremony

·         9/22 & 9/23: Game of Thrones Costume and Trivia contest; costume contest at 2:30 p.m. and trivia contest at 4:00 p.m. (18+)

·         9/29 & 9/30:  Harry Potter Costume and Trivia contest; costume contest at 2:30 p.m.; trivia contest at 4:00 p.m. (12+)

·         10/6: Clash of the Tartans: Highland Hunks, Men in Kilts contest (18+)

·         10/8: Columbus Day - Open

·         10/13: Wee Ones’ Costume Parade (11+)

·         10/20: Fantasy Finale - Adult Costume/cosplay/time travelers Contest

·         10/21: Final Drum Jam – 6 p.m. outside the front gate

Faire hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday holidays. Tickets are $32 adults (12+), $16 children ages 4-11, and children under 4 are free. Parking is free.

Discounts given to groups of 25 adults or more and private parties can be accommodated (birthdays, vow renewal ceremonies, weddings). Groups may make reservations by emailing info@kingrichardsfaire.net.

The Faire is located at 235 Main Street (Rt. 58) in Carver, Mass. 02330, phone is 508-866-5391, email info@kingrichardsfaire.net. Visit King Richard’s Faire on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TheKingRichardsFaire) and on Twitter and Instagram @KRFaire

The Humans

The Humans took home the 2016 Tony Award for best play. Stephen Karam's The Humans examines a family as they return home for Thanksgiving. See The Humans's at the Shubert Theatre from March 13th to the 25th. For more information and tickets: http://www.bochcenter.org/thehumans


Stay tuned to The Red Balloon for all the information on more upcoming shows at the Boch Center!

Esmeralda: Inside Look

The Red Balloon was recently invited to a special inside look at Esmeralda's in Cambridge. The shop Esmeralda is the hidden gem of Harvard Square. Conveniently located at 54 Church St., the store offers an array of jewelry, accessories, and more.

The talented designer and owner of the Harvard Square shop is Esmeralda Lambert. Esmeralda hails from a family of entrepreneurs and knew that she too wanted to follow in her family's footsteps. Esmeralda grew up in the Dominican Republic. Esmeralda's first step toward entrepreneurship began when she enrolled at Babson College to complete her MBA. It was there that she met her husband, who is also a major part of the business. Esmeralda's business is very family focused and she credits her family for being supportive and enabling her dream to become a reality. However, making her own dream a reality was not enough for Esmeralda, for she also wanted to help women back in her home country of the Dominican Republic.

Esmeralda employs women from the Dominican Republic to create all of her designs. She provides opportunity for these women to be employed from the comfort of their own home and earn an income. See below one design which Esmeralda calls her, "Oscar piece." This beautiful necklace is one that Esmeralda hopes Sofia Vergara may one day wear to an award ceremony.

Esmeralda's store has a wide array of designs, including more casual pieces. Whether looking for jewelry for a glamorous night out of the town or a piece for daytime wear, Esmeralda's is the place to find it. See more of Esmeralda's designs below.

Esmeralda also features artists, some of which are new and others who have been designing jewelry for many years. She showcases many artists and provides them with opportunities within her shop. In addition, she provides new artists with mentoring and knows first hand that starting out in business is not easy. She shares many of the tips and tools that she has learned first-hand, having been there herself. 

Esmeralda's shop is a unique and beautiful store. Below is one more photo from another artist featured in Esmeralda's in Cambridge. See Esmeralda's first-hand for yourself at 54 Church St. in the heart of Harvard Square.