Three can’t-miss festivals in June
The summer is off to a spectacular start here in western Massachusetts. Maybe you just attended the Asparagus Festival or Taste of Massachusetts Wine Festival, but if you’re still looking for things to do in Massachusetts, our arts, culture, and culinary celebrations don’t stop there! Here are three more can’t-miss festivals happening in June.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Cottage Street Cultural Chaos, Easthampton
Cultural Chaos is a daylong “street festival with a twist” featuring the unique food, culture and businesses in the Cottage Street Cultural District. There will be music performances on two stages, food-tastings, street performances, and a maker’s marketplace where patrons will have the opportunity to watch artists, engage with makers, purchase their one-of-a-kind creations and learn how they create them.
The festival coincides with the spring edition of Cottage Street Open Studios and Easthampton’s monthly Art Walk. Open Studios allows visitors to explore artist’s studios and purchase a variety of types of art from local artists, including jewelry, mosaics, paintings, glass, photography, and sculptures. Art Walk is a monthly celebration of galleries, artists, restaurants, shops and small businesses.
Thursday, June 19 through Sunday, June 22, 2014
The Annual Taste of Amherst
This four-day festival in the heart of Amherst on the Town Common is the perfect opportunity to sample what this town in western Massachusetts has to offer. Presented by Atkins Farm Country Market and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, the Taste is more than food. There’s live entertainment arranged by WRSI 93.9 The River plenty of fun family games and events. New this year is a daily “Chowdown Challenge,” where 20-25 hungry Taste-goers will participate in a two-minute race to finish a variety of Taste of Amherst food samples.
Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21, 2014
Django in June, Northampton
Following a week-long gathering of more than 200 “djangologists” from around the world, Django in June brings European Gypsy jazz to Northampton’s vibrant music scene with these two public concerts presented at the Academy of Music Theatre. Created in the 1930s by the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt, Gypsy jazz has built an enthusiastic and growing following in the United States. These concerts are among the few opportunities for music lovers to hear the best contemporary Gypsy jazz musicians performing live.
As a prelude to the end-of-week concerts, Django campers will be giving free Gypsy jazz performances Wednesday and Thursday, June 18 and 19, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at six downtown Northampton locations – Thorne’s Marketplace (150 Main St), Mama Iguana’s (150 Main St), Pizzeria Paradiso (12 Crafts Ave), McLadden’s Irish Publick House (27 Pleasant St), La Veracruzana (31 Main St), and Spoleto (1 Bridge St).
Also in June:
Friday, June 13, 4-8 p.m.
Eat Your Arts Night Out, Northampton
June 14, 2-6 p.m.
Summer Brewfest at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton
June 28, 2014
Northampton Family Fourth Celebration at Look Memorial Park and Easthampton Spirits Fireworks at Galbraith Field at the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton