Blog / Artists, Artisans & Craft Makers
6 More Five College Alums Who Call Western MA Home
During commencement and reunion season at the five colleges in western Massachusetts, we’re reminded just how many students have called our region home for even a few years. We know that those few years at school in western Massachusetts are special for many, but our local alums confirm that getting to stay or return is something else entirely. Last year we reflected on some of the alums who shape our local food scene but here’s a few more who are running creative businesses from body modification shops to homemade ice cream parlors.
5 Experiential Gift Ideas in Western Massachusetts
Good Stock Farm, Hatfield | Photo by Kevin Miyazaki
When you start thinking about holiday shopping, do you ever think about gifts that don’t quite fit in a box? In western Massachusetts, there’s no shortage of memorable hands-on experiences that can take the place of your usual gift-giving. This year consider giving a gift that will truly last a lifetime, whether it be in the form of new skills, new friends, or purely good memories.
There’s a Fest for That… in Western Massachusetts
Flava Evolution at Northampton Jazz Festival | Photo by Robert E. Davis
In the tech world people say there’s an app for everything, but in western Massachusetts it seems there’s a festival (or fair or party) celebrating every interest, artistic medium, hobby, food, or even whole towns! From jazz and upcycled junk to bikes, bread and beer, there’s an event this early fall that will fit every curiosity you’ve been looking to feed. Some highlight events include the 5th Annual Northampton Jazz Festival (September 8-12), Celebrate Amherst Downtown Block Party (September 17), and the Valley Beer Trail's Übeer Festival (October 3).
Your Summer Arts Bucket List in Western Massachusetts
Hampshire Shakespeare Company | Amherst
While western Massachusetts is bursting with culture all year long, the arts really shine in the summer. We’ve got three resident theater companies whose seasons are in the summer every year, no shortage of outdoor summer music series, outdoor film screenings, monthly art walks and more! Whether you're a visual arts, theater, music, or film buff, there's something here to add to your summer bucket list!
5 Awesome Festivals This June in Western Massachusetts
Live Music at Easthampton's Cultural Chaos | Photo by Lynne Graves
When June rolls around, festival season has arrived in western Massachusetts with something happening nearly every weekend. And there’s a festival for everyone, from foodies and cultural fiends to jazz buffs and book lovers. Have fun with the family at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art’s Children’s Book Festival (June 6). Embrace Easthampton’s vibrant cultural scene at its annual street festival with a twist, Cultural Chaos (June 13). Celebrate Gypsy jazz with Django in June (June 19-20). Indulge in local food at the WGBY Asparagus Festival on the Hadley Town Common (June 6) and Taste of Amherst (June 18-21).
Bees, Books, Bowls and More This April in Western Massachusetts
White Square Books | Easthampton | Photo by Lynne Graves
April is all over the place when it comes to the weather in western Massachusetts. Some years winter’s chill hangs on far too long and other years it’s downright tropical. The list of things to do this month is about as diverse as the weather can be, with really only the letter ‘B’ as the common thread—but who doesn’t love a little alliteration? Enjoy all the ‘B’ words April has to offer, from all the books at Easthampton's BookFest to bowls along the Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail. Check out new exhibits about the Borscht Belt and Eric Carle’s Bees, Butterflies, and Other Bugs.
11 New Things to Do in Western Massachusetts in 2015
Snow Farm | Williamsburg
With a new year comes new energy to get out there and try new things. In western Massachusetts, 2015 offers you a handful of new places to shop and eat, package deals, several special anniversaries to celebrate, and new class schedules at our hands-on destinations. Featuring Northampton's new spot, Con Vino Wine Bar, Signature Sounds Presents Backporch Festival, new breweries, packages at the Lord Jeffery Inn, and classes Snow Farm and Good Stock Farm.
Enter to Win Tickets to Columbus Day Weekend Events
Paradise City Arts Festival | Northampton
Mid-October is not only the peak of foliage season in western Massachusetts, but it’s also especially packed with things to do on Columbus Day Weekend. Since we’ve already told you about some of the awesome things to do this fall, we’d like to give you the chance to win tickets to attend a few of them! Up for grabs is a pair of VIP one-day passes to the 20th Annual Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton at the Three County Fairgrounds (October 11-13) and a pair of full-access passes for the Northampton International Film Festival at the Academy of Music Theatre (October 10-12). Each is a separate prize so there will be two random winners notified on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. Click to read more and enter.
Pack Your Calendars with Fall Festivals and More in Western Massachusetts
Mike's Maze, Sunderland | Photo by Lynne Graves
Are you ready for fall? Well it’s here as the chilled temps have clearly proven recently. If you’re anything like us here in western Massachusetts though, fall is your favorite time of year. While fall can be all about celebrating the harvest and Halloween, there’s also a lot going on in the arts, nature, and on a bike here. (Though we’ve certainly got the harvest festivals and haunted happenings down this year!). We have to admit, even as we were compiling this list we were overwhelmed by the number of things to do in western Massachusetts this fall. But after we took a deep breath, we grabbed our calendars and started planning fall adventures galore. We hope you’ll find something you’d like to do, too!
Discover the Americana Flair of the Hilltowns
Chesterfield Fourth of July
If you’re looking for a quaint and classic New England experience this holiday weekend or summer, look no further than our Hilltowns in Hampshire County. Head West on Route 9 just beyond the city of Northampton and you’ll transcend to a world with with lush tree-lined rolling back roads, no shortage of historic homes, and old-time country stores for pit stops along the way. The Chesterfield Fourth of July Parade festivities take place on July 4; the Hilltown Arts Festival is July 6; Bryant Day is on July 20 to celebrate poet and hilltown native William Cullen Bryant; the 158th Middlefield Agricultural Fair happens August 9 through 11 and the 145th Cummington Fair happens August 22 through 25.