Natick Days 2025 preview: Community’s ready to gather on the Common

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend Natick Days this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Natick Common. Featuring food vendors, bounce houses, carnival games and more, the annual event raises money for local charities and celebrates the work of community organizations and volunteers. If it rains, the festival will be pushed to Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

“It is the premier opportunity for nonprofit and other community groups to connect with people who live in Natick,” said Joshua Ostroff, president of Friends of Natick Trails, a non-profit group focused on the preservation and enhancement of local trails. “We’ve attracted a lot of interest and support over the years at Natick Days and so we would never miss it.”

The community festival debuted in 1998 as an effort to consolidate fundraising, inform the public about local resources, and increase the safety of groups attempting to raise money. Before then, according to the town’s website, sports teams and others would frequently solicit funds at the busy intersection of Massachusetts Routes 135 and 27.

Natick’s Recreation & Parks Department Director Lauren Meurer reported several changes to Saturday’s event. While the festival itself is free to enter, ticket prices for vendor goods increased from 25 cents to $1. “It felt like it was a little bit overdue,” Meurer said. “Not a lot of things cost 25 cents anymore.” In addition, the event’s shuttle will now solely operate out of Wilson Middle School.

Keefe Regional Technical School, the festival’s headlining sponsor, is bringing its culinary arts program to sell food at Natick Days for the first time. Town Communications Director, Jay Poropatich said street tacos and other dishes will be available. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is sponsoring free, portable drinking fountains.

This story was produced in partnership with the Boston University Department of Journalism.