Library Launches Cosplay Duck Contest and Summer Programs

ATHOL — Athol Public Library kicked off a busy stretch of summer programming this week, even as a road closure on Chestnut Hill Avenue disrupted travel on the town's east side, according to a Franklin County Now report picked up by Google Alerts.

TOWN HALL

No new Town Hall press releases or department announcements came through the town's official channels in this coverage window.

SCHOOLS

Athol Public Schools did not issue new district announcements in this coverage window.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

Athol Public Library has several concrete offerings on tap. The library's "Cosplay Ducks!" submission window opened Tuesday, July 7, and runs through noon on Friday, July 31, inviting residents to enter their decorated ducks. On Wednesday, July 8, the library hosts "America is Wild!" at 5:30 p.m., a program timed to the summer reading season.

Looking ahead, the library will run "Escape From the Terrible Thicket," a themed escape room with multiple sessions on July 22 and 23; registration is required. A book discussion centered on a title "found in a little free library" is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, at 5 p.m. The library also began new operating hours as of July 1, and hosted a "Can You Spot the AI?" program on Tuesday, July 7, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"Chestnut Hill Road closed days this week" — Franklin County Now reports that Chestnut Hill Avenue in Athol is closed this week between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. for ongoing work, affecting drivers on that stretch (read it at https://franklincountynow.com/news/216612-chestnut-hill-road-closed-days-this-week/).

"Denis Jean Brault" — The Athol Daily News published an obituary for Denis Jean Brault, 77, of Kissimmee, Florida, who grew up in Athol before moving away, according to the outlet (read it at https://atholdailynews.com/2026/07/08/obit-denis-jean-brault-211822413/).

COMING UP

The library's "Cosplay Ducks!" submissions continue through noon on Friday, July 31. "America is Wild!" takes place Wednesday, July 8, at 5:30 p.m. A book discussion on a little-free-library find is set for Thursday, July 16, at 5 p.m. The "Escape From the Terrible Thicket" escape room runs multiple sessions on July 22 and 23, with registration required.