Discover fun and educational events happening this week in Western Mass, along with announcements, upcoming events, links, resources and the HFVS podcast.
SUGGEST AN EVENT

Peter Freisem of Cricket Hill Jams preps yellow beans he plans to pickle into country style dilly beans. Pick up a jar this weekend at the Ashfield Farmers' Market.- Click on the photo to read resources CISA recommends for putting food by, and get those jams and jars ready to enter into the many upcoming agricultural fairs! (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.
Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families supports development and enhancement of our local economy and community! Local businesses, individuals, schools and non-profits are encouraged to support Hilltown Families through sponsorship and enhanced publicity. Let us help get the word out about your event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business or announcement. Deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout Western Massachusetts while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. Click HERE to find out more.
BEST BETS
On Saturday, August 13th from 10am-10pm in the Berkshires – COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: West Stockbridge hosts the 8th annual Zucchini Festival today! The event begins with a pet parade and show, followed by exciting activities throughout the day including a slam dunk challenge, mini golf, rock climbing, a zucchini catapult, dunk-a-fireman booth, zuke races, and live music! The day ends with a fireworks display. The festival takes place in the town center. 413-232-0222. Routes 41 and 102. West Stockbridge, MA. (FREE)
Later in the day on Saturday, August 13th from 3-6pm in the Pioneer Valley – COUNTRY FAIR: If you can’t make it to the entire NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) conference at UMass, at least visit the Country Fair! There will be all kinds of exciting activities, including horse-drawn wagon rides, tomato bobbing, sack races, melon seed spitting contests, pie-eating contests, cow plop bingo, and more! 413-230-7835. Massachusetts Avenue. Amherst, MA. (FREE)
Also in the afternoon on Saturday, August 13th from 1-6pm in the Pioneer Valley- MUSIC FESTIVAL: KidsRock for Beacon music festival takes place today- the event is to raise money for the Beacon Field Playground Project. There will be live music all afternoon, as well as raffles, food, and a kids play area! All of the bands performing include local kids. 20 Sanderson Street. Greenfield, MA. ($)
Then on Sunday, August 14th from 10am-6pm in the Berkshires – NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE: The 6th Annual Rock, Rattle and Drum Pow-Wow is this weekend at Wirtes Farm! The event is a celebration of Native American arts and culture and includes all kinds of entertainment, activities, vendors, and learning opportunities! 413-443-2481. 45 Greylock Road. Lanesborough, MA. ($)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
On Saturday, August 20th starting at 8am – AGRICULTURAL FAIR: Visit cows and sheep, hear live music, play games, learn about local agriculture, and more today at the Westfield Fair! The grounds open early, and there are tons of exciting events happening throughout the day. 413-222-4067. Fair Lane. Westfield, MA. ($)
On Sunday, August 21st from 8am-5pm – AGRICULTURAL FAIR: Today is the final day of the Heath Fair! Today’s events and shows are mostly the youth category- check out what the kids are doing! There will also be a blueberry pancake breakfast, classic car cruise, wagon rides, and a Primate Fiasco show at 2! 9 Hosmer Road. Heath, MA. ($)
BULLETIN BOARD
SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOPS FOR FAMILIES: North Amherst Community Farm presents “Building Sustainability Together: Skill for Kids and Families.” This series of workshops will offer hands-on activities for kids 5yo and older, accompanied by a caregiver. Workshops in the series include; Worm Bin Composting (Wed., 8/17, 10am-12noon); Seed Saving: Plant the Future (Sat., 8/20, 2-4pm); and Harvest the Sun (Wed., 8/24, 10am-12noon). All classes are $10 for each child/adult pair, and $3 for additional children, and will be held in Amherst at the North Amherst Community Farm (rain or shine), home of Simple Gifts CSA (1089 North Pleasant St.). Pre-registration is required by calling 413-624-6223, or email programs@nacfonline.org. For more info about this series, visit www.nacfonline.org.

CUMMINGTON FAIR: The 143rd Annual Cummington Fair happens August 25th-28th at the Cummington Fairgrounds. With one of the most comprehensive agricultural presentations in the state, the fair is billed as “The Biggest And Best Little Fair in the Country”. This family friendly, four-day agricultural fair is packed with exhibits, family activities, delicious food, classic cars and live music. Truck, horse and oxen pulls headline the fair along with a demolition derby, and the Western Mass Logging Championship. And the fun doesn’t stop there-families can also enjoy midway, games, roving entertainers, live music, petting zoo, 4-H presentations, skid steer rodeo, square dancing and community dinners. Find a full schedule of events at www.cummingtonfair.org.
CLOTHING EXCHANGE: The Family Resource Center of North Adams would like to remind Berkshire parents that their Clothing Exchange is a great resource for back-to-school clothes! The exchange has gently used clothing in every kids’ size (including babies) and there are new clothes coming in frequently! Along with clothing, the exchange also has a shelf of free children’s books. If your kids have outgrown clothes that are still in great shape, consider contributing them so that other families may benefit! Families needn’t donate in order to take clothes, but there is a 2 bag per visit limit. The exchange is in the Haskins Center at 210 State Street in North Adams. For more information, call 413-664-4615.

Enter to win a pair of tickets to see Bright Eyes plus Titus Andronicus at Mountain Park in Holyoke, MA on Sunday, August 28th! Deadline to enter to win is Wednesday, Aug. 24th. Click on banner to find out how you can enter for a chance to win.
PIONEER VALLEY MAP: Hiking, biking, and general outdoor adventuring in the Pioneer Valley are now all easier than ever thanks to the new trail map that the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has developed! The map shows the exact locations of all trails in Hampshire and Hampden counties, along with a description of each trail to help adventurers choose the right location for their abilities! The map is great for people who already hike and bike frequently, but it’s also great for those who don’t- it helps to make trails more accessible. The map is available for purchase at many Pioneer Valley bookstores and outdoor equipment shops. For more information, visit pvpc.org.
CALL FOR SIDEWALK CHALK ARTISTS: Northampton’s annual Chalk Art Festival will be taking place on September 9th, and the Northampton Center for the Arts is currently seeking artists to participate! Artists must apply for the festival, which takes place as part of Arts Night Out. Artists will work within a 5×5 concrete area and will spend from 8am-4pm the day of the contest creating their masterpiece. There is a $100 stipend for participation, and larger cash prizes for winners. Applications are available at Guild Art Supply (Northampton) and the Northampton Center for the Arts. For more information, including contest rules, visit www.nohoarts.org.
GARDENS AS CLASSROOM: The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced a formal request for applications to its People’s Garden Grant Program! The grants are available for the creation of produce, recreation, and/or wildlife gardens in both urban and rural areas, so long as the gardens provide opportunities for informal science education. Applicants who receive funding may be required to provide micro-subgrant support to other local projects. For more information about the grants and the application process, and to download a copy of the application form, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.
COMMUNITY BIKE RIDES: The Trustees of Reservations have organized a series of bike rides in and around Holyoke! The rides, which will take place on August 20th and 27th, will begin at 9am from the Open Square Farmers’ Market (4 Open Square Way) and follow a 6-8 mile route. During the ride, participants will get to explore various properties run by the Trustees within Holyoke, such as the Lands of Providence. Cyclists of all ages and abilities are welcome, so long as they are capable of participating in a long ride that includes hills. After the ride, cyclists will be able to buy fresh produce at the market! For more information, visit ttor.org or call 413-274-8288.
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. Find out more about our Enhanced Publicity options and how we can help with your marketing.
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW

Tune in every Saturday from 9-10am. Encore episodes are aired every Sunday from 7-8am. 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!
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS:
Aug 13th-19th, 2011
Suggest an Event | Forecast | Museum Passes | Farmers’ Markets | Weekly eNewsletter
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