The Taste of Somerville is an event that happens every May to benefit Respond, which is a great…read morelocal organization that works to end domestic violence. Taste of Somerville raises money by us buying tickets and eating (and drinking) until we can eat no more delicious somerville foods! This is our second year attending, and everything was amazing. There was a great oyster bar from Island Creek Oysters, a make your own s'mores bar and chocolate station from the Holiday Inn (which is also where the event is held), delicious treats from Lyndell's, delicious shrimp tacos from Old Magoon's Saloon, and delicious gazpacho from Casa B. And grilled delicious kielbasa from Bronwyn! And that's just to name a few. We ended up with some delicious bread to bring home from Piantedosi Bread Shoppe, and we sampled some there, and it was amazing. Also there for 2013: Eat at Jumbos (love those guys!), Daddy Jones, The Independent, Redbones, El Potro, the soon to be at Assembly Row in 2014: JP Licks, and many, MANY more awesome restaurants. Go next year in 2014-it supports such a great cause, and it's an awesome way to spend a May evening! Read more about Respond here: http://www.respondinc.org/Home.aspx

I look forward to Japan festival Boston every year: fabulous food; Japanese, cultural…read moreentertainment; local Japanese exhibitors, and vendors. Only downside (not the festival's fault): for the first time this year, the college crowd has taken over with pushy, rude entitlement... The exact opposite of Japanese culture. THE DEAL: if you want to experience Japanese culture, right here at home, Boston's Japan festival is free and fabulous!

I volunteered at Japan Festival Boston. As a volunteer you can get T-shirt and quick pass. T-shirt…read morewas only large size: a bit disappointing. Most volunteers are Japanese, why is the T-shirt American large (equivalent to extra large in Japan) size? For food concession stands: there are many good stuff, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, ramen, udon, coffee, desert. A little expensive and very long line. There is room to improve. Probably to experience Japanese culture for non-Japanese people, it is a great opportunity.

Great event! The lines were huge though. Please just take my money and give me food sooner! Perhaps…read morethe event numbers could have been calculated better. The line for what looked like the most popular stall- for street food, including lots of grilled meat on sticks, papaya salad, and tons of other yummy looking options stretched beyond the food designated area and into the carnival games area. A couple of lines were like that, and I just had to live with not getting food or drink from those stalls. I remember the egg roll cafe truck from a past year. Their fusion egg rolls do not disappoint! So crisp. Got the Buffalo chicken one. Also got Japanese curry fries, which definitely worked flavor wise- the curry had kind of a gravy quality, and there was a creamy sauce, seaweed, and scallions. Also tried Nigerian food for the first time, which I was surprised to find there. I appreciated the way all the flavors came together- the special rice, plantains, and spice encrusted thin piece of beef on a stick. I was stuffed, but I wish I could have kept eating. Also saw some awesome drinks in the drink section- including one AAPI owned brand, and boozy boba that had an awesome presentation (it lit up!) The carnival games were also a hit. I secretly would have loved to win a snorlax or a two sided octopus. I was one bean bag away from winning! I guess it just wasn't my day, because at the MUJI tent I also only won a gel pen- they had a wheel that you spun. I preferred a past year, where they gave everyone notebooks. Loved those notebooks- sadness. Will just have to buy them at the store, lol.

Visiting from California and this was a great treat! At the end we snacked on Apple cider and…read moretoasted almonds!

This was a great event for $5 that went to charity. My b and I got there around 6:20 and the line…read morewas already pretty long, out the door and down the sidewalk. We got in earlier than expected, a little before 7, and they only let people in as others came out. There were probably 20+ vendors amateur and professional. I will post pictures later. A majority of the cupcakes were bite size so they were perfect to try! The bar sold wine, beer, milk and water. I sampled plenty of red velvet, chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter confections. The most unique included the cereal aisle, the chocolate affair, strawberry margarita, a sweet and sour lemon vanilla cake, and soda pop. If you're a cupcake fanatic this is a great event to go to to get some new ideas, sample some businesses, and perhaps even hire if you're looking for someone to cater. Nevertheless, get there early, try all the cupcakes you want, but always remember, do not take any out so others can have some too!

Cupcake Camp was one of the most phenomenal things I have experienced! Not only is it FREE, but it…read moreshowcases the cupcakes of both professional bakers and also amateur bakers (read: ME!). I watched demonstrations by King Arthur Flour...I ate cupcakes from Sweet, Fratelli's, Fiore's, Mix, Babycakes, Sadie's and even Whole Foods!! Aside from my bomb Cookies'n'Cream cupcakes...I found Anthony Tata (eleven years old...owns his own business...not joking) of Tata Treat's to have a very delectable Boston Cream Cupcake...and tasted an incredible peanut butter banana cupcake with Nutella frosting (they had me at Nutella...) What an incredible event...and I will most definitely be there again next year!!

This is a great open air market. There are so many vendors here ranging from groceries, crafts, and…read morefoods to eat right in the moment. They had so many artisan vendors lined up on the other side of the market too. There truly is something for everyone here. We ended up getting some fruits and veggies from one of the farms, chicken breasts, and some artwork to bring back. We also grabbed a couple of snacks and the fresh squeezed lemonade here was incredible. They had the Wimbledon match on the big screen and a live music act the whole time we were there. There was plenty of shade from the sun and picnic tables to sit and relax. This is a fun place to check out when you live or visit Boston.

Cute market to go to check out different vendors. Also had art exhibits open and a vintage market…read moreopen. I loved checking out the different artists in their spaces. Browsed the vendors outside which had a variety of food, items, clothing, etc. Had lunch from the trucks. Got a bowl from the Mediterranean place which was not good, compared it to chipotle-style (but in my opinion, chipotle is actually yummier) Also got a falafel wrap which was okay, nothing to write home about. Would probably opt to eat elsewhere or opt for different stalls. The empanadas stall looked more delicious (and more popular)

I've gone to the Ahts festival in Christopher Columbus park for the past 2 years and had a great…read moretime. (If you're not from here - the name is a joke on our accent. It's an arts festival.) There are lots of local artists selling their works in tents on the park. There are also glass blowing demonstrations from Diablo glass and music performances on a main stage. It's a wicked fun event to visit! This year Prince pasta was even there giving away free 1 pound boxes of pasta!

I LOVE the sheep shearing festival…read more I kind of wish they could have it every weekend. Of course, to have enough sheep to shear, we would probably all be knee deep in sheep everywhere in the Boston area. But that would be fine by me also! Then, maybe I wouldn't nearly be run over in crosswalks so often. You know, because traffic would have to stop for sheep also. But, I digress.... While the focus of this festival is purportedly sheep, other animals abound. There are also alpacas and goats and sheep-herding dogs (demonstrating their skills) and a barn full of bunnies. And fowl, I think. And for shoppers and gluttons like myself, be wary of the pretty sizeable craft fair and lots of decadent carnival-ish food. If you've never been, I hope you catch it next spring.

This festival is figuratively all over the place, so here is a stream of consciousness outline…read morereview to coincide with that fact: * Not sure how I haven't heard about this until this year. * Free parking. * Bring sun tan lotion and a hat. * Not many sheep being sheered. * Sheep herding dog demonstration was weak, organized chaos. Random ducks in the herding area. Dogs wanted to eat them. So did I. * Crafts. Wares. Food from Q's Nuts, Christina's Ice Cream, lots of etc. No booze. * Babies everywhere. * Chickens (multiple breeds), mini ponies, medium ponies, horses, goats, llamas, and sheep. * Some goats make funny noises when you pet them. * Some mini ponies pretend they are tough guys. * I bought syrup. * I wish there was a beef jerky booth.

Beautiful park in the middle of Boston! We almost skipped coming here but very glad we didn't…read more There are well-maintained walking paths and we came across a community garden where apparently people can rent plots of land to grow their own fruits and vegetables. We also saw turtles and lot of ducks/geese. Very peaceful park - I would come here often if I lived in Boston

" Like a movie scene" Walking the Fenway victory gardens is…read morelike walking a movie scene. A great ending to my walk around Fenway . It's such an honor to live so close to be able to walk this area on the regular. Thank you to all that keep this together. It's the little things that matter . Can't wait to cone again !