* Littleton 3rd Thursdays

Three things to know about Littleton's Third Thursday festivals

Three event highlights

1 Thirty-seven local businesses and organizations will be hosting booths on the town common, offering giveaways and activities, for on the third Thursday evening in June, July and August. Among them are a moon bounce and face painting offered through the Parks and Recreation department and a small farmer’s market offered by Springdell Farm. Dunkin Donuts will be giving out free samples. DJ Chris Webb will be spinning tunes for the June 21 event, and bands are lined up for the second and third events.

2 The new event was designed to make better use of the town common, according to Selectman Joe Knox. The selectman and his wife, Kathy, visited a similar event in Pittsfield a few years ago and wanted to bring it to Littleton, in order to bring energy and excitement to the town center. Profits will go toward the town’s 300^th anniversary festivities in 2014. Knox said the Third Thursday events would also recognize the Littleton Fire Department’s 100^th anniversary.

3 Stevens Street and Meetinghouse Road will be shut down beginning at 4 p.m. prior to the events. The festivals will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Parking is available in the IBM parking lot or on the side streets off Goldsmith Street.