Blog / Culture
Discover Our Most Historic Theater
Located in Northampton, MA | Photo by Lynne Graves
A NEW SET OF DATES! Northampton is one historic city—it’s the place where U.S. President Calvin Coolidge lived and retired, as well as home to Sylvester Graham who gave his name to the one and only graham cracker. But it’s also home to the historic Academy of Music Theatre, on whose stage Anna Pavlova danced and Harry Houdini escaped, and whose seats were frequented by stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. In celebration of the theatre’s rich history and upcoming improvements (which will close the building for 8 weeks starting late summer 2014), the Academy is offering three rare opportunities to explore the significant historical and architectural features: three free tours on Wednesday, April 23, May 21, and Tuesday June 24!
Fall festivals, corn mazes, and more, oh my!
Photo by Lynne Graves
It's nearly time to throw those hands in the air, full of leaves: it's almost FALL in Hampshire County! Like a true New Englander, we love fall just as much as you do, from the abundance of apples and pumpkins to the stunning foliage and crisper weather. Western Massachusetts has an abundance of can't-miss fun fall activities including the very popular McCray's Farm Haunted Hayrides, Belchertown's Austin Brothers Valley Farm annual corn maze and hayrides, and Southampton's Rolling Acres Farm corn maze and fall activities right here in Hampshire County.
Art with a side of apples in Easthampton this fall
Photography by Patrick Brough
Farms and gardens are works of art in their own right, but how about visiting an apple orchard sprinkled with sculptures, poetry and dance this Fall? Art in the Orchard 2013 (AiO13) is a multifaceted sculpture exhibit on the grounds of Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton, Mass. The core project is a sculpture trail showcasing 3-dimensional outdoor works and installations created by local and regional artists open to the public daily beginning in late August. Additional events such as music, moonlight walks and performances are scheduled during most weekends through the festival's close on October 31.
Fair season is among us in Hampshire County
Agriculture is pretty important to us here in Hampshire County, and has been for hundreds of years. Our annual fairs really showcase all that we've got going on in one place. The Three County Fair in Northampton is Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 30 through Sept. 2; the Cummington Fair is Aug.22-25 at the Cummington Fairgrounds; and the Belchertown Fair is Sept. 20 through 22 on the Belchertown town common.
Want to experience a Hampshire County fair? Like us on Facebook and participate in our Fair Friday Facebook contest! Every Friday leading up to the Three County Fair, we'll post a question for you to answer. We will give a set of 4 VIP tickets to the Three County Fair to the person with the most creative responses for each of the 3 posts!