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Three can’t-miss festivals in June
The River's music tent at the Taste of Amherst
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. Don't miss Cottage Street's Cultural Chaos block party June 14, the Taste of Amherst June 19-22, and Django in June on June 20 & 21.
Share your photos for a chance to win a tote
At the market or on the farm around Hampshire County
We want to see your side of Massachusetts! Since it’s time to celebrate the season of fresh local produce from our nearly 800 farms and all that comes with it, we want you to share your best "farm-to-table" photos! Visit us on Facebook and post your favorite farm-to-table photo on our page! We'll pick our favorite photo on Friday, June 13 and announce the winner on Facebook.
Kick off New England’s Pride Season in Northampton
Pride Day, Northampton | Photo by Transit Authority Figures
We’re full of pride all year round in Hampshire County, but the sparks really fly the first weekend of May every year when Northampton’s Annual LGBT Pride Day kicks off Pride season in New England. Join the Pride Parade and Celebration Saturday, May 3 from noon to 5 p.m. and celebrate Northampton's newest store for men, Hero Men's Gear, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Extend the celebration to embark on a walking tour of Northampton's LGBTQ history with the Sexual Minorities Archives on Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m.
Win a Snowy Getaway in Western Massachusetts
Photo by Lynne Graves
We're already off to quite the cold and snowy winter here in Western Massachusetts! We know that in the winter it's easy to get stuck inside your home, so why not take a chance and make Hampshire County your home for a few nights? Enter here and you and a guest will enjoy a snowy two-night getaway. You just might find yourself cross-country skiing the back country and warming by a cozy fireplace at night. Sounds good, right?
Treat yourself well in Hampshire County
River Valley Yoga Center | Florence
We say it every year. We should really find a time to recharge and relax after the holidays and New Years. Well look no further because here in Hampshire County we know how to relax. There’s no shortage of yoga studios to stretch your body and mind, and there's plenty of spas and salons to give you that boost you crave after the hectic holidays. Check out places like The Pilates Studio in Hadley, River Valley Yoga Center in Florence, Brooks and Butterfield Day Spa in Northampton, and Elements Hot Tub Spa in Amherst.
Win a $100 shopping spree in Hampshire County!
Thornes Marketplace Decked for the Holidays | Northampton
We may have said this before, but you might just shop til you drop when you come to Hampshire County! Just in time for the holidays, we're giving away $100 to go shopping in Amherst and Northampton. This includes a $50 Downtown Northampton gift card (which can be purchased at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, online, or in Thornes Marketplace) and a $50 Amherst Gift Check (which can be purchased at the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce).
Unique Places to Shop: DIY Spaces
Knack: The Art of Clever Reuse | Easthampton
The world is truly becoming a more creative place when everyone you meet makes something in their spare time from jewelry to homemade bread. It’s relaxing and fun to create, but sometimes we need a little help, an extra item here and there, or maybe just the space to get something done. Art Alive in Amherst, Beehive Sewing in Northampton, and Knack in Easthampton are three new spaces in Hampshire County that focus on creative reuse and do-it-yourself crafting, providing opportunities to learn a new skill or make someone a unique gift.
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.