Dedham's 36th annual Dedham Day & Cow Plop will not go on as planned Sunday, Sept. 27. The Town of Dedham announced Wednesday, Sept. 23, that the festival is postponed to Saturday, Nov. 7, because of the coastal storm forecast to hit New England the weekend of Sept. 26–27.
The rain date is Sunday, Nov. 8. The location stays the same: Barnes Memorial Park, 140 Eastern Ave.
Dedham Parks & Recreation, which organizes the event with the Friends of Dedham Recreation, said on its town website that organizers looked at earlier options but chose Nov. 7 to avoid conflicts with other community events and to lock in rides, attractions and entertainment. The town specifically noted the need to secure the cow that the Cow Plop is known for.
The rescheduled festival will run from noon to 4 p.m. A Sensory-Friendly Hour begins at 11:30 a.m., with rides starting at noon, according to the town's Dedham Day page.
The storm driving the postponement is expected to arrive late Friday, Sept. 25, and last into Monday, Sept. 28. Patch reported wind gusts could reach 60-plus mph, with the National Weather Service issuing a Coastal Flood Watch for Friday and Saturday. AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned that wet ground raises the risk of downed trees, noting "many trees still have their leaves, which catch more wind and place additional strain on their roots."
Dedham Day has been held annually for more than three decades. Last year's 35th edition took place Sept. 28, 2025, at the same Barnes Memorial location.
The festival features food, rides, games, local vendors, music, face painting, crafts, community demonstrations and the Cow Plop. Cow Plop deeds were on sale for $10 each ahead of the original date. Residents interested in volunteering, sponsoring a ride or becoming a vendor can find information on the town's Dedham Day page.
Upcoming
- Dedham Day: Saturday, Nov. 7 (rain date Sunday, Nov. 8), noon–4 p.m.; Sensory-Friendly Hour 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Barnes Memorial Park, 140 Eastern Ave., Dedham
