The 2026 Event
The second annual Devil's Footprint Folklore Event will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at First Church in Ipswich, UCC, and on Meeting House Green.
The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with a special worship service led by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Pugh. The service is open to everyone, including people of any faith or no faith at all.
The community event begins at 11:00 a.m. with live music, food, local folklore, an open read and discussion, a George Whitefield reenactment sermon, children's activities, and Devil's Footprint puppet show performances
The full 2026 schedule is listed below.
RSVP for Oct. 4, 2026
The Devils Footprint Annual Event is a free community celebration of Ipswich folklore, history, arts, and storytelling. Join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Meeting House Green at First Church in Ipswich, UCC, 1 Meetinghouse Green, Ipswich, Massachusetts. Reserve a free RSVP ticket to help us plan for attendance. No payment is required. Guests may make an optional donation to support the event.
Devils Footprint Annual Event
— October 4, 2026
Rain or Shine
The Devil's Footprint Folklore Event will happen rain or shine.
- If the weather is good, live music and puppet show performances will take place outside on the lawn at 1 Meetinghouse Green. If the weather turns nasty, the music and puppets will move inside to Fellowship Hall.
- The Open Read: Devils, Revolution, and Local Lore will take place inside the First Church in Ipswich sanctuary from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine.
Come for an hour or stay for the afternoon. Bring a story for the Open Read, bring a picnic or something to share at the Devil's Potluck, listen to some music, make a puppet, hear George Whitefield preach, and see what happens when generations of Ipswich folklore get handed over to the next group of storytellers.
The rock is still there. The story is still told. Rain is not going to stop us.
Throughout the Day
• Visit the Devils Footprint.
• Explore the history of North Congregational Church and the many versions of the Devils Footprint story.
• Visit historical displays and community information tables.
• Talk with community members, storytellers, artists, musicians, and members of the Devils Footprint team.
• Make a townsperson puppet, listen to local stories, and take part in informal activities throughout Meeting House Green.
• Bring a picnic, something to share for the Devils Potluck, or stop by the bake sale.
The event is free and open to the public.
The rock is still there.
The story is still told.
Event Schedule
10:00 a.m.
Sunday Service
Join us at First Church in Ipswich, UCC, for a special Sunday service with Rev. Dr. Rebecca Pugh before the community event begins on Meeting House Green.
11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Live Music: Cynthia Keefe and Kevin Kelley
The day on Meeting House Green begins with live music from Cynthia Keefe and Kevin Kelley.
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Live Music: Marcus Kunkle
Marcus Kunkle continues the morning music on Meeting House Green.
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Open Read: Devils, Revolution, and Local Lore
Bring something to share or simply come to listen. Read a short piece about the Devil, revolution, religion, folklore, local history, or the Devils Footprint. Short talks, stories, and discussion are welcome too.
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Live Music: Alex MacLeod and Olivia Gale
Enjoy live music from Alex MacLeod and Olivia Gale while visiting the footprint, exploring displays, talking with presenters, and spending time on Meeting House Green.
Create and Interact activities will also be available during this hour, including Make Your Own Ipswich Townsperson. Children can create their own townsperson puppet to take home or bring to the puppet theater.
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
George Whitefield Reenactment Sermon
Step back into 1740 as George Whitefield returns to Meeting House Green. Hear a reenactment sermon inspired by the preaching, language, and Revolution.
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Devils Footprint Puppet Show Performances
Youth teams will take over the puppet stage and perform their versions of the Devils Footprint story.
Short performances will begin on the quarter hour. Every team will use the same basic story and the same stage, but nobody knows exactly what version of Ipswich folklore will emerge until the puppets start talking.
Families and visitors are invited to gather around and see what happens when a story told for generations gets handed to the next group of storytellers.
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Live Music Encore and Closing
Stay for an encore performance, conversation, food, and a final chance to explore the event before the official event closes.
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Optional Puppet Show Performances
If more than four youth teams would like to perform, or would like to preform with a smaller audience, additional performance time will be available after the official event ends.
Groups can perform for family and friends while event breakdown and cleanup begin.
— FIND US
Where is the Footprint?
One Meetinghouse Green, Ipswich, MA 01938
Help Keep the Devils Footprint Free
$10.00
PARKING & DIRECTIONS
Getting Here and Parking
The Devil’s Footprint Annual Event takes place on Meeting House Green in historic downtown Ipswich, Massachusetts, beside First Church in Ipswich, UCC.
Event Location
First Church in Ipswich, UCC
1 Meetinghouse Green
Ipswich, MA 01938
Google Maps Plus Code: M5J7+PG Ipswich, Massachusetts
Parking
Parking on and around Town Hill is limited. Visitors are encouraged to use the public Hammatt Street Parking Lot and walk to Meeting House Green.
Hammatt Street Parking Lot
16 Hammatt Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
Google Maps Plus Code: M5H6+W7 Ipswich, Massachusetts
Please follow all posted parking signs and restrictions.
Coming by Train
Ipswich is served by the MBTA Commuter Rail on the Newburyport and Rockport Line. The Ipswich station is located in downtown Ipswich within walking distance of the event.
Ipswich Commuter Rail Station
4 Peatfield Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
Google Maps Plus Code: M5G5+PQ Ipswich, Massachusetts
We encourage visitors who can travel by commuter rail to consider leaving the car at home. Downtown parking is limited, and the station provides an easy way to reach the event without having to find parking on Town Hill.