Discover fun and educational events happening this weekend in Western Mass, along with announcements, upcoming events, links, resources and the HFVS podcast.
SUGGEST AN EVENT
The 3rd Annual Surrealist Cabaret and Pumpkin Walk, hosted by the Royal Frog Ballet on Bramble Hill in Amherst, MA last weekend. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
If you have a family friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, post your event on our “Suggest An Event” page. The events below are “suggested.” Please take the time to confirm that these events are happening, along with time, place, age appropriateness and costs before attending.
BEST BETS
There are so many terrific community events and activities happening this weekend for Halloween scroll down and peruse the list, and don’t for get to check our list of Rag Shag parades too!
On Saturday, October 30th at 1pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Kids Gallery Halloween Quest at MASS MoCA. For kids ages 6-12 and their adult companions. Costumes encouraged. RSVP 664-4481 x8112 www.massmoca.org North Adams, MA ($, FREE FOR MEMBERS)
In the evening on Saturday, October 30th from 5-9pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Things That Go Bump in the Night at Old Sturbridge Village. Includes The Trail of Terror (ages 11yo & up), haunted pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, puppet show with Caravan Puppets, and more. 800-733-1830 www.osv.org Sturbridge, MA ($)
On Sunday, October 31st from 11am-4pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Supernatural Sunday: Halloween in at Historic Deerfield. Enjoy the fun of Halloween and the beauty of harvest during the fall season with seasonal hearth cooking, pumpkin decorating, wagon rides, mask-making, and face painting. Wear a costume and enjoy some early trick-or-treating at select historic houses. 775-7127 www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Next weekend: CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW: The Botanic Garden Lyman Conservatory of Smith College (15 College Lane) will host a Fall Chrysanthemum Show. A sweet event to take the family to. 585-2740 Northampton, MA (FREE, DONATION)
And, CIDER DAYS: An annual celebration of hard and sweet cider. www.ciderday.org Franklin County, MA
BULLETIN BOARD
SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. Let us help get the word out about your event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business or announcement. Email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com for more information. — Help us help you!
FREE AFTERNOON PROGRAM: Every Tuesday in November, Hilltown Families sponsor, Cup and Top Cafe (1 N Main St.) in Florence, will host a free Puppet Show – Sing Along Time with Anna Sobel of Talking Hands Theatre for families with kids up to 5yo! Meet different puppets every week. Learn hand motions to classic kids’ songs and pick up some catchy new tunes. Anna is a former preschool music teacher and led sing-alongs at Brooklyn cafes for five years. She makes her own puppets and has a magical way of making everything fun and interactive for young children. Donations welcomed. 585-9565 www.cupandtop.com
(Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Biocitizen is seeking volunteers to begin a long-term stream monitoring project in collaboration w/MA DEP. We use the rapid biotic assessment technique, which involves collecting and inventorying benthic invertebrates (water bugs); the type of bugs we find give us a gauge of the stream’s health. We’re scheduling 4 assessments for these 4 weekend days from 1-3 pm: Oct. 30 & 31, Nov. 6 & 7. Children and families are invited to be trained for free. It’s great for those interested in biology, ecology, environmental protection. It is possible, since this is a long-term project, for families, and their schools, to adopt a stream and watch over it. Contact Kurt Heidinger at bioticitizen@gmail.com.
Leslie Chaison of Greenfield, MA writes: Just Roots, a local citizens’ group, will host a Public Forum in the Town of Greenfield on Sunday, November 7th at 2pm at the Greenfield High School. This forum will be a conversation to help define, as a Greenfield area community, the best use of the Greenfield Town Farm, which includes 31 acres of prime farmland. This conversation will include decision makers, working farmers, community gardeners, social service networks, educators, permaculturists, and you. The forum will be held in the Greenfield High School Cafeteria. The high school is located off Silver Street in Greenfield. Please come and be part of the vision! For more information, contact jaylordjr@gmail.com.
(Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
ENERGY AUDITS: Free energy audits for WMECO homes, performed by Co-op Power. If your electric provider is WMECO, or if your gas heat is provided by Berkshire Gas, call to set up ap free audit, which is much more comprehensive than those offered by utility companies. Contact Jane Anderson, (413) 695-6430, jane@cooppower.coop, www.cooppower.coop
READING MENTOR PROGRAM: The Forbes Library Teen Department in Northampton, MA is looking for tween/teen volunteers to read to younger children once a week or about an hour for their Reading and Mentoring Program. Younger children who may not have older brothers/sisters who would like to spend time with an older friend are wanted too. Call to sign up: 587-1010.
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
Tune in every Saturday from 9-10am. Encore episodes are aired every Sunday from 7-8am.
This week is our Halloween Episode, with music by Justin Roberts, Jamie Broza, Recess Monkey, The Hobo Nickels, Rosemary Clooney, Caspar Babypants, Mister G and many others!
Families have several ways to tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show:
Streaming Audio: Surf on over to ValleyFreeRadio.org on Saturday & Sunday mornings and listen to us live via streaming audio.
On Your FM Dial: Tune in to WXOJ 103.3FM if you live near Northampton, MA.
PODCAST: Listen to the most recent episodes of the Hilltown Family Variety Show anytime you wish! Click here to see our current select of episodes, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast too!
WEEKLY LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS
Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Local Forecast | Free Museum Passes | Playgroups & Family Centers | Movies in the Valley | Movies in the Berkshires | Listen Here
Events Happening in the Hilltowns
♦ On-going Events
Saturday – 10/30
6-10am – FAMILY RADIO: Valley Free Radio (WXOJ-LP 103.3FM Northampton, MA) offers 4-hours of commercial-free family programing every Saturday, including the Hilltown Family Variety Show and Spare the Rock. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org.
♦ 8:30am-12:30pm – FARMERS’ MARKET: On the town green. Last market of the season and Customer Appreciation Day. Many of the vendors will also be in costume for Halloween. Ashfield, MA (MARKET)
9am-12:30pm – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: The Rivulet Trail that inspired William Cullen Bryant to write one of his most famous poems needs your help. Old Growth Trees and Trail Work on the Rivulet at the Bryant Homestead (207 Bryant Rd.). After working to control trail erosion in the morning, take a walk with Bob Leverett and learn more about this historic stand of old growth pines. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring work gloves. Bring your lunch and enjoy a post-work picnic with a spectacular view. Call The Trustees of Reservations 532.1631 x13. Cummington, MA (FREE)
9:30am-4:30pm – FOOD HISTORY: What’s cooking? Open hearth cooking at the Historic Deerfield. Open hearth cooks will prepare select dishes that are on display as part of the exhibition Dinner is Served!: Dining and the Decorative Arts. Come see “what’s cooking” and learn how these dishes were prepared in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The history workshop: Pots, Pans and Porridge: Children in the Colonial Kitchen, will be offered too starting at 12Noon. 775-7127 www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
10am – HIKE: The Deerfield River Watershed Association offers a hike in a different part of the Catamount Hills. Led by Colrain historian Muriel Russell. Hikers will pass beaver ponds and lunch at the south end of MacLeod Pond. 624-3311 Colrain, MA (FREE)
10am-3pm – CHILDBIRTH CLASS: The Hilltown Community Health Center will offer a free childbirth education class. This day-long format will prepare families for the childbirth experience in one session. Ann Buscemi, certified childbirth educator, will talk about what to expect in labor and delivery, as well as breathing and relaxation techniques. Call Lee at 238-5511 x155 for more information on location and to register. www.hchcweb.org Huntington, MA (FREE)
10:30am-4pm – HISTORIC TRADE: Made By Hand: Trades-by-Hand-Trades of the Past: Letterpress Printing & Gravestone Carving demonstrations at Historic Deerfield. See historic trades demonstrations of letterpress printing with Carl Darrow, and gravestone carving with Karin Sprague. www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
11am-12Noon – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Halloween stories and craft with Robin Foley at the Whatley Library. Children ages 3 and up are invited to come in costume (or not) and share some stories and a craft – decorate a trick-or-treat tote bag! Please call to register 665-2170. Whatley, MA (FREE)
11am-2pm - HALLOWEEN EVENT: Halloween party at the Huntington Library. Wear a costume and join in games and snacks. 667-3506 www.thehuntingtonpubliclibrary.org Huntington, MA (FREE)
11am-5pm – TROLLEY MUSEUM : Kids can ride the trolley and take a hand at pumping the handcar. Any child under sixteen gets free candy on Halloween, while supplies last. www.sftm.org Shelburne Falls, MA (FREE)
11am – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Lenox Library Association Youth Department presents haunted, but not too haunting, tales for the young and young-at-heart, told with puppets, props and audience participation. Families will be treated to ghoulish goodies and boo brew. Come dressed in costume (optional) for a howling good time. This program is appropriate for ages 4 to 10. 637-0197 x105 Lenox, MA (FREE)
12Noon-Dusk - HALLOWEEN EVENT: Halloween Carnival at Burgundy Brook Farm 3090 Palmer St. (Rt 181). Halloween Egg Hunt (3pm), horse-drawn hay rides and pumpkin picking. Show your Halloween spirit! Come in costume! Games and Prizes! All proceeds benefit the horses at Blue Star Equiculture. http://www.equiculture.org Palmer, MA (>$)
12:15pm & 2:20pm - HALLOWEEN EVENT: Halloween Express at the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum. Kid-friendly Halloween train rides with fun decorations, treats for the kids, and free pumpkins to all children 12 and under while supplies last. Come in costume. www.berkshirescenicrailroad.org Lenox, MA ($)
1pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Kids Gallery Halloween Quest at MASS MoCA. For kids ages 6-12 and their adult companions. Costumes encouraged. RSVP 664-4481 x8112 www.massmoca.org North Adams, MA ($, FREE FOR MEMBERS)
1-2:30pm – READING ADVENTURES: Family Adventures in Reading (FAIR) will be offered at the Indian Orchard Branch Library (44 Oak St.) with professional storyteller John Porcino lerading families and children 6 and older in discussions about children’s stories on topics such as fairness, courage, and dreams. Snacks will be provided. Register at 263-6846 www.springfieldlibrary.org Springfield, MA (FREE)
1-3pm - HALLOWEEN EVENT: Halloween decorating party at the town hall. Decorate cookies, make crafts. Russell, MA (FREE)
1:30pm – FAMILY CONCERT: No Nap Happy Hour continues with Billy Kelly and the Blah Blah Blahs, along with local band School for the Dead, performing a family concert at Flywheel (43 Main St.). Costumes are encouraged. www.flywheelarts.org Easthampton, MA (>$)
2pm – THEATER: Picture Book Theatre Presents Tico and The Golden Wings and Geraldine, The Music Mouse in the auditorium at the Eric Carle Museum. 658-1100 www.carlemuseum.org Amherst, MA ($)
2pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Hokey Halloween with Susie Magoozy. Silly scary stories for all. Reg. 562-6158 x5 Westfield, MA (FREE)
2-4:30PM – RESKILLING: Traditional Pickling at the Cummington Community House kitchen (33 Main St.) with Sarah Stockwell. Preserve vegetables the old-fashioned no-vinegar, no-heat way with friendly bacteria cultures. music@sarahstockwell.com 634-8062 Cummington, MA ($$)
2-3pm – RESKILLING: Food Preservation 101 at the Hancock Shaker Village. 443-0188 http://www.hancockshakervillage.org Pittsfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
5-6:45pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Munchkin Haunted Hay Rides at McCray’s Farm (55 Alvord St.). Gentle, exciting ride for families with children 7yo and younger. 533-0775 www.mccrays-farm.com South Hadley, MA ($)
5-8pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Town of Worthington Rec. Dept. hosts a townwide trick-or-treating, Wicked Wickets, DJ,and food. Click here for more info. Worthington, MA (FREE)
5-9pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Things That Go Bump in the Night at Old Sturbridge Village. Includes The Trail of Terror (ages 11yo & up), haunted pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, puppet show with Caravan Puppets, and more. 800-733-1830 www.osv.org Sturbridge, MA ($)
5:30-8:30pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Haunted Train and Lights Display at Look Park. Train ride for 5yo+. 584-5457 www.lookpark.org Northampton, MA (FREE ENTRANCE, >$)
6-8:30pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Blandford Recreation Committee will be putting on a Halloween party at the former elementary school with music, crafts, food and magic.848-2459
6-9:30pm - HALLOWEEN EVENT: Skeleton Crew Theater (SCT) at Camp Kee-Wanee. SCT is a theatrical attraction with a Halloween twist. Think of it as a treasure/scavenger hunt you’ll solve in one evening. Shows are 45/65 minutes long. Dress for the outdoors and bring a flashlight. Not scary or gory, just spooky in a tasteful way. Bad weather cancels. www.skeletoncrewtheater.com Greenfield, MA ($)
6:30-8:30pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Halloween dance and party at Whole Childen (41 Russell St.). 585-8010 www.wholechildren.org Hadley, MA (>$)
6:30-7:30pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Halloween Celebration around the Campfire with Roger Tincknell through songs, stories and dance. Dress warmly and bring flashlights and blankets or chairs for seating. Program meets behind Visitor Center at the Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center. Pre-registration required (800) 859-2960 Northfield, MA (FREE)
7-9pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Halloween Animals and Night Hike at Arcadia. Learn the truth about animals we associate with Halloween through games and crafts, indoors and outdoors. 584-3009 www.massaudubon.org Easthampton, MA (>$)
7pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: Family Friendly Haunted Hayrides at Echo Hill Orchards. 267-3303 Monson, MA
7pm – 10pm – HALLOWEEN EVENT: 8th annual 3D Haunted Trail at The Panek’s Woods (17 Cedar Glen). Belchertown, MA (DONATIONS)
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