🤑 Out: Brat summer. In: Frugal fall.

🎆 Do you know this dude? Dracut authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying this guy, who had the bright idea to set off fireworks in a porta potty … right in front of a security camera …

👀 What’s on tap today:

Up first…

Charli XCX declared that “brat” summer is officially over. So we’re declaring the start of frugal fall. Which means it’s only fair we round up the best freebies around Boston to set you up for success this month.

Here’s what’s going down:

🌺 See the Pru transform into a flower extravaganza. The Pru is going to look a little different from Sept. 18 through 22 as the Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE flower exhibition will stud the shopping center with 15 MFA-inspired artworks made completely out of fresh flowers. In case you’re unfamiliar, here’s what last year’s exhibit looked like — it’s a stunner! 

🖼️ Speaking of the MFA … The museum is partnering up with UNIQLO to offer free admission on Sept. 14 to celebrate its newly reopened Arts of Japan galleries. While you’re there, you can make miniature sculptures inspired by Japanese netsuke, hop on a free guided tour, and see performances from Wellesley College’s taiko drumming group.

☀️ Hit the (silent) disco at Cisco. This weekend’s glorious weather is all the more reason to head to the Seaport for Cisco Brewer’s annual silent disco party on Sept. 13. In case you’ve never been to a silent disco, here’s what it looks like (yes, it’s just a bunch of randos wearing headphones and dancing together, but we promise it’s fun).

🍸 Taste test the best espresso martinis in town. Restaurants like Bricco, Grill 23 & Bar, and Sonsie are going head-to-head at Time Out Market’s best espresso martini contest on Sept. 22. And YOU get to be the judge. All you have to do is show up, sip, and cast your vote.

🦞 September babies can have their cake … and lobsters. That’s because Summer Shack locations in Boston and Cambridge are giving September babies a free one-pound lobster on the house on their birthday (not joking!) as long as you show proof of ID. Even better: No purchase is necessary to get the deal. 

🍻 Say “prost” to Oktoberfest. October might be in the name, but September is when the celebrations really start. Here’s a list of admission-free Oktoberfests filled with live music, stein-holding competitions, and brats:

😋 And mark your calendars for two stellar food festivals. You’ve got free entry to:

🍂🎨 Welcome fall with free art and fun programs at The Greenway ARTbeat series! Enjoy over 50 free events — from live music and dance to food trucks — and check out installations like Jeffrey Gibson’s epic 70-foot mural by South Station, kicked off by an opening celebration on Sept. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. It’s the perfect way to unwind and experience downtown, soaking up the nice weather while it lasts. Keep an eye out for additional programs and the public art on display as you wander through 1.5 vibrant miles of park now through the end of the year.

🌬️ Mass. is going in BIG on clean energy. Gov. Maura Healey announced that Mass. and Rhode Island are linking up to buy 2,678 megawatts of offshore wind power — the largest offshore wind selection in the history of New England, and nearly 20% of Mass.’ current electric demand. The bulk is going to Mass., which will be enough to power 1.4 million homes while reducing the state’s carbon emissions as much as taking one million gas-powered cars off the road. Plus, the related projects will create thousands of jobs. 

🚃 We have an ETA on Green Line and bus ETAs. By 2025, the MBTA is set to install about 200 solar powered E-Ink signs, Kindle-esqe T trackers, at Green Line trolley stations and bus stops. The signs will finally give commuters a way to see when their ride is coming without the hassle of having to electrify the stations. This is meant to be a long-term solution for buses, but it may be a temporary fix for Green Line trolley stops, which could eventually get electric signs. 

🏈 If you can’t bear to root for the Pats this season, root for the Eagles. Wait! Before you disown us, we’re not talking about Philly, we’re talking about the Boston College Eagles, who just earned themselves a spot in the AP’s top 25 poll (24th) for the first time since 2018 after huge back-to-back W's against No. 10 Florida State and Duquesne (they literally won 56-0). But FWIW, the Pats had a very solid season opener, eeking out a 16-10 W against the Bengals on Sunday despite low expectations.

🍺 Speaking of football. There’s a new spot to watch the game. The Great American Beer Hall, a 17,000-square-foot event space in Medford with a stage, fire pit, outdoor patio, kitchen, screens, and of course, LOTS of beer, opened its first floor and patio on Aug. 31, with the second floor and roof deck soon to follow. The space will save locals from having to trek into Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville for similar offerings. And there’s free parking. TBH, we can’t argue with that. 

B-Side is teaming up with Keolis massAdventures, the organization bringing us endless car-free outings outside of Boston. On Sept. 15, you’re all invited to join the B-Side team on a guided kayaking trip, hosted by Boston influencer @instaiona. We’ll journey on the Commuter Rail from North Station to Ipswich, where we’ll paddle the stunning Castle Neck River at Crane Estate. And, since you’re a loyal B-Side subscriber, you get 15% off your tickets with code Bside15!

There are a lot of ways to celebrate the Celtics’ 18th banner W. Maybe you went to the duck boat parade, maybe you bought some merch. But for the folks over at Kimball Farm in Haverhill took things a step (or a hundred) further: They made a Celtics-themed corn maze. 

What makes it Celtics-themed? Just look at it. Somehow, they’ve managed to incorporate a horseshoe, a shamrock, and even the C’s logo as a part of the maze design, along with the typical dizzying pathways. 

And if we haven’t sold you yet, Kimball Farm described the maze, which is open from now until early November, as “taller than KP and as green as the blood that runs through this city.” Now that’s a hard sell.

— Written by Gia Orsino and Emily Schario

🌽 Thanks for reading! IDK about the maze, but any excuse to get some Kimball Farm ice cream is good in my book. 

📝 This newsletter was updated to reflect that Summer Shack’s deal only applies on customers’ birthdays.

💜 Special shoutout to today’s sponsor, The Greenway Business Improvement District, for supporting local journalism and making downtown Boston even more vibrant.

👎 The results are in: In news that will shock no one, 70% of polled B-Siders voted Connecticut as the worst state in New England. And we thoroughly enjoyed reading every single one of your many, delightfully snarky write-ins. Including this one: “The only good thing to come out of Connecticut is Gilmore Girls.”

💃 Keep up with us @BostonBSide on IG, TikTok, and Twitter. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected] or [email protected].