Free Tours and Events Begin Today with Trails and Sails

Tattersall Farm features a geocache treasure hunt and kite flying Sunday.

Trails and Sails, two weekends of free tours, walks and events highlighting the history and heritage of the Essex National Heritage Area, kicks off this weekend.

Activities take place within the 34 cities and towns of Essex County.

In Haverhill, activities include Bella Building Walk, this afternoon at 1 p.m.; A Spiritual Quest Weekend at Hilldale Cemetery, beginning tonight at 6:30; and Tattersall Farm Geocache and Kite Flying, Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More events take place next weekend, including Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus, from noon to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24.

At Tattersall Farm, 542 North Broadway, participants known as “geocachers” will compete to find hidden outdoor treasures. They will use a website or their GPS-enabled devices such as an iPhone or Android Phone with downloaded apps such as Looking4Cache Lite or c:geo. Those interested should sign up first at www.geocaching.com.

“Through the website you can see millions of geocaches hidden worldwide, and select the information needed pertaining to search. Armed with coordinates, hints and background information provided by other players, go outdoors and start your search,” a statement reads.

Coordinates for the several hidden geocaches at the 150-acre working farm will be furnished.

For a listing of all events, visit http://www.essexheritage.org/ts/events.