A doggone great day of stories, brews, & wagging tails!

A joyful orchard festival celebrating dogs, local craft beer, and New England storytelling.

Tales, Tails & Ales is a one-of-a-kind fall celebration set among the apple trees at Bolton Spring Farm. This lively, heartwarming festival blends three irresistible things: dogs, craft beer, and great stories, creating an experience that feels equal parts community gathering, tasting festival, and literary pop-up.

We’re proud to partner with Brew Biscuits, a Massachusetts-based maker of sustainable, brewery-crafted dog treats, bringing the “tails” and the “ales” together in the most delicious way possible for your favorite pup!

Spend the day sipping thoughtfully curated local brews, tasting wines, strolling the orchard with your dog by your side, discovering pet-focused makers, and settling in for short, lively readings that bring laughter, warmth, and surprise.

With acoustic music, cozy seating, picnic blankets, and plenty of dog-friendly fun, Tales, Tails & Ales is designed to feel relaxed, social, and delightfully memorable.

Sat., Sept. 19 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Bolton Spring Farm | Bolton, Massachusetts

General Admission is $5.00. Click the link below for craft brew tasting ticket options.

Click Here for the Event Map & Vendor List

Prologue

What to Expect

  • Live readings from award winning New England authors.

  • A curated tasting experience featuring local New England breweries

  • Wine tasting from Hardwick Vineyard & Winery

  • A vibrant, dog-friendly outdoor festival set in the orchard

  • A juried selection of pet treat makers, dog-focused boutiques, and pet artists, and other incredible artisans

  • A featured partnership with Brew Biscuits, handcrafted, sustainable dog treats made from up-cycled local brewery grains

  • Meet-and-greets with regional dog rescues (TBD)

  • Acoustic live music throughout the day

  • A thoughtfully designed literary “Tales” area with short readings woven into the festival

  • Craft food vendors and beer from Bolton Spring Farm

  • Bolton Spring Farm will be in full swing offering Pick-Your-Own apples during the event and a farm stand of delicious local produce.

Event includes:

Chapter One

The Tales: Author Readings

Throughout the afternoon, enjoy live readings from New England authors sharing stories inspired by craft beer, adventure, beloved dogs, mystery, history, and life.

Grab a drink, find a seat, and spend a little time with the people behind the pages.

Featured Reading | Jean M. Grant

Join award-winning author Jean Grant for a reading from her latest novel, Silent Creek. Blending rich storytelling with unforgettable characters, Jean's novels draw inspiration from history, science, nature, and the landscapes she loves. Settle in to the orchard and enjoy an engaging reading from one of New England's most accomplished contemporary authors, followed by an opportunity to meet Jean and have your books signed at her booth.

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Silent Creek

Charlie Cummings

Go behind the scenes of New England's craft beer revolution with author and brewer Charlie Cummings as he shares stories from his memoir, Craft Brewing May Not Be for You!. Drawing from decades in the brewing industry, Charlie offers an honest, humorous, and deeply personal look at the passion, challenges, and realities of life behind the brewhouse. Whether you're a devoted craft beer enthusiast or simply love a great story, this engaging reading is a fascinating glimpse into one brewer's remarkable journey.

Website | Instagram

Craft Brewing May Not Be For You

A Moment After Dark

Janet Raye Stevens

Step into the suspenseful world of award-winning author Janet Raye Stevens as she reads from her historical mystery, A Moment After Dark. Set in coastal Massachusetts during the opening days of World War II, the novel follows a young woman burdened with an extraordinary gift that reveals glimpses of the future. Rich in atmosphere, mystery, and unforgettable characters, Janet's reading offers a captivating introduction to one of her most compelling stories.

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Stephen R. Balzac, PhD

Join author Stephen R. Balzac, PhD, for a reading from his science fiction mystery, The Sound of Crickets. Blending sharp wit, imaginative world-building, and interstellar intrigue, Steve's story follows a reluctant investigator as he unravels the mysterious death of an ambassador in a future where diplomacy, politics, and alien cultures collide. Equal parts mystery, humor, and science fiction, this lively reading offers a glimpse into a wonderfully inventive universe.

Website

Sound of Crickets

Children’s Story Reading | Wendy Darcy

Bring the whole family for a delightful reading with local author Wendy Darcy as she shares her charming picture book, Sophie at the Fall Festival. Follow Sophie, an adventurous Norwegian Forest Cat, as she explores an autumn day filled with apple orchards, hayrides, cider donuts, pumpkins, and playful surprises. Perfect for young readers and families, this heartwarming story celebrates the simple joys of fall and the magic of spending time together.

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Sophie at the Fall Festival

Join poet Zac Smith for a reading from his delightfully offbeat collections, including The Poodle Poems and 50 Barn Poems. Blending humor, warmth, and keen observation, Zac's poetry finds extraordinary moments in everyday life, from loyal dogs and quiet companionship to barns, landscapes, and unexpected wonder. Whether you're a longtime poetry lover or simply curious, this engaging reading is sure to leave you smiling.

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Poetry Reading | Zac Smith

The Poodle Poems

Jeanine Boulay

Join author Jeanine Boulay for a reading from her debut novel, What Keeps Us, a sweeping novel in stories that brings the voices of women across generations of New York City history to life. Moving between the nineteenth century and the present day, Jeanine’s interconnected stories explore survival, reinvention, memory, and the lives that history too often overlooks. Settle in for a compelling glimpse into this beautifully layered story of women, place, and the enduring power of what we choose to remember.

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What Keeps Us

The Friends of Bolton Public Library

Bringing stories, and a little local personality, to Tales, Tails & Ales

We’re delighted to welcome the Friends of the Bolton Public Library as hosts of our Author Reading Series. Throughout the afternoon, the Friends will help bring our literary lineup to life, moderating author readings, conversations and audience Q&As.

They’ll also be hosting a Friends Book Sale and managing our Take a Book, Leave a Book Table, so be sure to browse, discover something new, or bring along a book you’ve loved to pass on to another reader.

Founded in 1994, the Friends of the Bolton Public Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing the library and its services to the community. Stop by their booth at the event and learn more about the programs they offer to enrich the community.

Meet Our Host: Carolyn Mitchell

Bolton resident and longtime member of the Friends, Carolyn Mitchell will serve as host of the Author Reading Series, interviewing our featured authors and moderating audience Q&As.

And she knows a thing or two about keeping a conversation interesting.

A lawyer turned playwright and improv actor with Offbrand Improv, she brings a wonderful mix of curiosity, humor and hometown warmth to the stage, and we can’t think of anyone better to help us get to know the writers behind the stories.

Chapter Two

The Tails

Story One

Marchela’s Orchard Run for the MSPCA

While the rest of us are enjoying Tales, Tails & Ales, Marchela will be logging a 16-mile training run through the Bolton Spring Farm orchard as she prepares for the Honolulu Marathon this December, all while raising money for the MSPCA-Angell.

And for Marchela, the cause is personal.

After college, a new job brought her to a new city where she found herself struggling with the loneliness of starting over. Then came Vivian and Delilah, two cats who, in Marchela’s words, “softened the edges” and gave her a sense of purpose. One of them came into her life through the MSPCA.

A year later, wanting to pay some of that good fortune forward, Marchela asked the MSPCA a simple question: Can I run for you?

The answer was yes. ❤️

So on September 19, we’re going to help her make some noise.

Make a donation, grab a cowbell and decorate it. Then every time Marchela completes another lap through the orchard, 𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐓 𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃. 🔔

Cheer her on. Help her get one mile closer to Honolulu. And help raise money for the animals still waiting to find their Vivian-and-Delilah kind of home.

𝟏𝟔 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐬.🖤💛🧡🤎🤍🩶

Phoenix Rising: Service Dogs Saving Lives

Lee Atherton, founder of Phoenix Rising, joins us at Tales, Tails & Ales to help guests better understand the extraordinary work of service dogs.

Inspired by her own life-changing partnership with her service dog, Shadow, Lee founded Phoenix Rising to help connect people living with PTSD and other mental-health disabilities with highly trained service dogs, while building greater awareness and understanding of the important role these dogs play.

Throughout the day, Lee will offer engaging educational sessions exploring what service dogs do, how they differ from therapy dogs and emotional support animals, proper etiquette around a working dog, and why these remarkable partnerships can be truly life-changing.

Story Two

Story Three

THE POSH PUP: Pamper Your Pup & Help Save a Dog!

Stop by The Posh Pup booth for a little on-site pampering with $15 nail trims, with $5 from every trim donated to Save A Dog! While you’re there, shop locally made dog collars, pick up a promotional goodie bag, and learn more about The Posh Pup’s daycare, luxury boarding, and full-service grooming services.

With locations serving Acton and Bolton, owner Scott and The Posh Pup team are passionate about creating a safe, clean, and loving environment where every dog is treated like family. Their Bolton Pet Resort & Spa offers personalized care, enrichment and play, luxury overnight accommodations, and stress-free grooming, all delivered by an experienced, CPR and First Aid–trained team.

$15 Nail Trim • $5 Donated to Save A Dog • Local Collars • Pup Goodie Bags

Chapter Three

The Ales

Chapter Four

Shop the Tales, Tails & Ales Fair

Enjoy visiting author, artistan, and gourmet food booths while sampling local craft breweries or experiencing wine tastings from Hardwick Vineyard & Winery. Bolton Spring Farm will be offering it’s beer garden for those who would prefer a glass to a tasting!

Check out the great lineup of authors, artists and vendors below.

Chapter 5

Gourmet Food Truck Lineup!

Thoughtfully prepared and ready for you to enjoy!

Food worth chasing!

A returning favorite from our November event, Wheelie Good Food Truck brings authentic Liège Belgian waffles—perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and made to be enjoyed by hand.

From classic and specialty waffles to creative waffle sandwiches and paninis, their menu is both inventive and deeply satisfying, including past offerings featuring Bolton Spring Farm apples.

website | Instagram | Facebook

Wheelie Good

Serving handcrafted coffee+artisanal mocktails from our vintage mobile bar

Brewed2perfection is an artisan mobile coffee bar serving handcrafted espresso drinks and seasonal specialties from a restored 1977 horse trailer. Each drink is thoughtfully crafted using quality ingredients for a cafe-style fair experience.

Instagram | Facebook

Brewed2perfection, LLC

We promise we’re worth the chase!

Squirrel, A Dog Bistro is New England's first food truck created exclusively for dogs, serving up delicious, chef-inspired treats made just for your four-legged best friend. From savory bistro cups to homemade baked treats, every menu item is crafted with wholesome ingredients so your pup can enjoy a special meal while you explore the festival together.

Instagram | Facebook

Squirrel A Dog Bistro

Live from the Orchard - Aunt Mimi!

Live music presented by Alta Nashoba Valley

GOOD NEIGHBORS. GOOD MUSIC. GOOD TIMES.

The event’s live music is proudly sponsored by Alta Nashoba Valley, Bolton’s newest apartment community and one of our newest neighbors.

Be sure to stop by the Alta Nashoba Valley booth, say hello, and decorate a dog bandana for your favorite four-legged friend!

Proud to be part of the Bolton community.

This up-tempo acoustic duo blends harmony vocals, layered guitar arrangements, and an eclectic mix of musical influences ranging from classic rock and British pop to country and modern folk.

They are so good, people dance into our events!

With a setlist spanning artists from the Everly Brothers and The Kinks to Vance Joy and The Avett Brothers, Aunt Mimi creates the kind of warm, feel-good atmosphere that perfectly complements an afternoon in the orchard filled with great food, wine, shopping, and community.

Meet Aunt Mimi

Why We Love this Event

By attending Tales, Tails, & Ales, you are supporting:

  • Local breweries, makers, and small businesses

  • Regional dog rescues and animal welfare organizations

  • Independent authors and community storytellers

  • Thoughtfully curated cultural experiences rooted in connection

  • The preservation of Bolton Spring Farm’s open land and agricultural heritage

    Tales, Tails & Ales brings together people who value good stories, good beer, and good company, four-legged friends included. It’s joyful, a little quirky, and deeply rooted in community, which is exactly how we like it.

The Day’s Activities

Festival & Tastings

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Event Hours

From the moment you arrive, the orchard comes alive with energy. Wander between brewery tastings, pet-focused vendors, and food trucks while dogs enjoy treats, water stations, and shaded lounging spots. The atmosphere is social and relaxed, perfect for reconnecting with friends or meeting new ones.


The Tales: Readings & Storytelling

Throughout the day, the pace shifts just enough to invite you to pause, listen, and smile.

Guests enjoy short readings woven throughout the day. These are lively, heartfelt, funny, and some dog-themed moments designed to feel like a festival highlight, not a quiet interruption.

Guests are encouraged to grab a blanket, settle in, and enjoy storytelling that feels warm, human, and wonderfully unexpected.

Featured Partner: Brew Biscuits

From Brewery to Biscuit

Born from a love of dogs and craft brewing, Brew Biscuits transforms spent grains from local breweries into high-quality, handcrafted dog treats.

Founded in Massachusetts by Chris Yurkus, and inspired by his beloved chocolate lab, Wilson, Brew Biscuits has up-cycled over two tons of brewing grains while making countless dogs happy.

Chris is a longtime craft beer enthusiast and trusted partner to breweries across New England. His deep roots in the craft beer community are what help bring the tasting experience at Tales, Tails & Ales to life.

With his infectious energy and passion for both dogs and brewing, Chris is curating a thoughtful and dynamic selection of breweries for the festival, creating an experience that celebrates craftsmanship, community, and collaboration.

The Brew Biscuit mission is simple and powerful:
Sustainable treats. Local partnerships. Happy dogs.

With every biscuit:
• Grains are rescued from local breweries and distilleries
• Ingredients are locally sourced
• Each batch is handcrafted
• Sustainability meets tail-wagging joy

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Enjoy Our Puppy Potty Area

Thanks to the generous support of Scoop Brothers of Worcester - Framingham

A dog-friendly festival needs a dog-friendly restroom!

A huge thank you to Scoop Brothers for generously donating the pet waste station for our Tales, Tails & Ales Puppy Potty Area, helping us keep the orchard clean, comfortable, and welcoming for our two- and four-legged guests.

Scoop Brothers provides professional pet-waste removal for homes, neighborhoods, apartment communities, and other dog-friendly spaces throughout Central Massachusetts and MetroWest. They also install and maintain pet-waste stations, so when we started thinking about an official “restroom” for our canine guests, we knew exactly who to call!

Thank you, Scoop Brothers, for helping us take care of the tails at Tales, Tails & Ales!

Be sure to visit Scoop Brothers in our Artist Village & Market, where they’ll be hosting fun games and giveaways for kids while sharing more about their services and how they help keep homes and communities clean, happy, and dog-friendly.

 

Slow down, wander, & stay awhile

Set on 150 acres of rolling orchard hills and historic farmland, Bolton Spring Farm offers a setting that invites you to linger. Here, the pace softens, conversations stretch longer, and simple pleasures, fresh air, shared stories, wagging tails, take center stage.

We invite you to step back from the rush, enjoy the beauty of late summer in New England, and spend a day that feels both playful and grounding.

Bolton Spring Farm
159 Main Street, Bolton, Massachusetts 01740

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

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