Around Town

Watertown’s Tipsy Tea Party 2026: “Drag me to the Disco!”

By |

The Tipsy Tea Party will be hosted by the City of Watertown’s Events Team at the Commander’s Mansion on Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. See more details provided by the Events Team, below. Pride Month is around the corner, and that means the Tipsy Tea is back! 

Join the City Events Team and the Friends of the COA for a festive gathering featuring delicious brunch bites, a cash bar, and fabulous drag entertainment in celebration of Pride. This year’s theme is “Drag Me to the Disco!” 

Tickets are $40 and go on sale Friday, May 1, 2026. Please note this event is 21+. Visit our website to meet this year’s dazzling performers, and don’t forget to set a reminder — tickets go fast! The Commander’s Mansion is located at 440 Talcott Ave., Watertown.

Transportation

MBTA Hosting Listening Session About Buses on Arsenal Street

By |

Share your thoughts about public transportation on Arsenal Street with MBTA representatives at the Watertown Library on May 30 and June 14. The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Visit the MBTA and City of Watertown at the Watertown Free Public Library to share feedback about the ways bus service in Watertown can better serve you along Arsenal Street. This is part of an exciting project focused on improving Arsenal Street to provide better bus Route 70 bus service. The project team will be tabling in the library lobby on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 9 AM – 12 PM and Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 1 PM – 4 PM and wants to hear your feedback. Stop by anytime, learn, and share!

Around Town

Sacrifices of Veterans Remembered at Memorial Day Ceremony; Importance of Veterans Benefits Discussed

By |

Members of Watertown Veterans organizations hold the flags during the 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For former Marine George McMasters Memorial Day gives him mixed feelings, and is a time when he can remember his compatriots who were lost in battle. The Watertown resident spoke during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field, held after Monday’s Memorial Day Parade. “I have mixed feelings. It’s kind of a sad day for me,” McMaster said.

Around Town

Resistance and Inspiration — Watertown Citizens’ Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner

By |

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

Resistance and Inspiration is the theme of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment’s 47 th Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner that will take place on Sunday, May 31 at the First Parish of Watertown at 35 Church St. in Watertown. The potluck will begin at 5 p.m. and our program will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Watertown Citizens members and supporters came together last year to build community and support each other in difficult times. The challenges we faced then have only grown – increasing attacks on our civil liberties and on immigrant and marginalized communities; continuing cuts in funding for basic needs – affordable housing, healthcare, and education; destruction of environmental protections and the expansion of fossil fuels; and unabetted illegal military actions causing death and injury to hundreds of thousands. Fortunately, the past year has also been marked by larger and larger mass demonstrations throughout the country, at state houses, and in local communities.

Around Town

Community Food Drive Aims to Help Restock Watertown’s Food Pantries for Summertime Need

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation will host their annual city-wide food drive during Watertown Helps Out from May 26 – June 9, in collaboration with the City of Watertown. This year’s food drive is sponsored by ButcherBox, the Watertown based direct-to-consumer meat and seafood brand. “The rising cost of food and changes to federal benefit eligibility have made local food access programs, especially Watertown’s food pantries, more important than ever for many residents. Food donations tend to slow down over the summer compared to the holiday season, so extra community support is especially meaningful during this time,” said Jenna Bancroft, the City of Watertown’s Human Services Director. This summer food drive will collect kid-friendly foods and snacks, in addition to important non- perishables and hygiene supplies to keep kids and families healthy all summer-long.

Around Town

See Who Will March in Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade, the Parade Route

By |

Watertown veterans marched in the 2024 Memorial Day Parade. (Photo by Natalie Nigito Photography)

The 2026 Memorial Day Parade, featuring Watertown veterans, youth sports, and other community groups, will be held on Monday, May 25, beginning at noon. A ceremony with Watertown’s veterans group will take place at the end of the parade. Each year, Watertown pays tribute to current and past veterans during the Memorial Day Parade. The procession begins at noon.

Around Town

Fire Department Looking to Hire Paramedics to Run 2 Ambulances; Keep Hydrants Snow Free

By |

The Watertown Fire Department received funding this year to run two ambulances, and now the challenge is to hire enough paramedics to run both. Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson also discussed a fire during the winter when a hydrant had to be shoveled out so that multiple hoses could be used to fight the fire. In 2025, the City Council approved funding for eight more paramedics so that a second ambulance could be run by the Watertown Fire Department 24/7. City Manager George Proakis said he has been working with Nicholson, the Human Resources Office to try to get enough staff on board, and opened an alternative pathway for hiring under Civil Service. Nicholson said the Fire Department has made some hires, but still have a couple of openings, and more are expected over the summer.