Tufts University’s annual welcome to its Somerville and Medford neighbors, Tufts Community Day, has at least one great way to make friends on Oct. 4: free treats from The S’more Bot.
Invented by the Somerville Highlanders Robotics team in 2020, the device churns out exactly the s’mores you’d want – little sandwiches of chocolate slabs and whole roasted marshmallows between squares of graham cracker. It gets trucked around to events such as the Fluff Festival, but in this case will be pressed into service as dessert for a free lunch (while supplies last) amid demonstrations from students, faculty and community groups; live performances; and a raffle from local businesses.
Among the groups and events being hyped by the university, Tufts Animal Aid hosts a dog-friendly booth with treats, toys and a photo booth for community members and their pets; the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project gives sample of the fresh vegetables it grows; and the Tufts Carillon Club offers a “neighbor’s choice” song to play on the chapel bells to close out the day’s activities.
New this year is a Quiet Garden for visitors who may benefit from a break from the sights, sounds and activity of the event, said Robin Smyton, assistant director for media relations at Tufts. The community day has drawn up to 3,000 visitors in recent years.
“The garden will offer a quiet spot for guests, books for kids, sensory activities and a calm place for children and adults to relax and recharge,” Smyton said.
Tufts Community Day, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 on the academic quad called The Green at Tufts University, found across the street from the Olin Center for Language and Cultural Studies, 180 Packard Ave., Medford. Free.
