First night back home is so small it doesn't really count as crowds...especially since we tend to know half the attendents. ;-) I always enjoyed it. They close the main street in town to traffic, so people can walk anywhere, and basically all churches and halls have some sort of act going on - musical or comedy or something. And it's seven bucks, which makes the whole thing a real bargain, considering how much you get to hear.
In Worcester, you have to park on outlying lots, then take a shuttle bus wherever you want to go. Lots of clubs, museums, etc. take part, and I think it's $25 for a button that gets you into everything.