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.
For the holiday weekend, the charm starts in Chesterfield on Thursday with its annual Fourth of July Parade that’s been bringing the community together since 1946. This march is classic Americana with a parade lineup that includes vintage cars, bagpipers, oxen strutting their stuff and more waving American flags than you can count. The parade is the centerpiece of a full day of events with a pancake breakfast, a concert by the Heritage Pops Orchestra, a famous chicken barbeque, art show, and firefighter’s muster.
On Saturday, July 6, Hilltown Arts Alive! presents the Third Annual Hilltown Arts Festival in Worthington all along Route 112 (just a quick turn off Rt. 9). This is your chance to take away a piece of Hilltown flair from one of the many artisan vendors—anything from paintings, photography, pottery, handmade furniture, glass, metal work, jewelry, weaving, and more. Watch Plein air Artists paint, learn fly-tying from a live demo, or take an oxen ride like a pioneer. All events are free and take place along 112, at the First Congregational Church and the Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Later this month, celebrate Hilltown hero William Cullen Bryant, the famous 19th century poet and author, newspaper editor and conservationist born in Cummington. On July 20, The Trustees of the Reservation present the sixth Bryant Day; the first was celebrated in 1894, the 100th anniversary of Bryant’s birth. The day begins with a guided nature walk through the fields and forest of the Bryant Homestead in search of plants and birds that inspired Bryant’s poetry. In the afternoon bring a picnic, sit on the Homestead lawn, and relax with the music of Wintergreen. Headlining the event this year are two poet laureates and Cummington residents, William Jay Smith and Richard Wilbur, who will read their own poetry. Following the poetry Prakasa Yoga Studio will provide an introduction and demonstration of Anusara yoga. To close the day, at 9 p.m., members of the Arunah Hill Natural Science Center will offer visitors an opportunity for moon gazing with their powerful telescopes. All events take place at the Bryant Homestead in Cummington starting at 10 a.m. and admission is $6/car for non-Trustees members. Tours of the homestead are scheduled during the day.
Keep your sights set on the annual summer fairs and festivals in the Hilltowns, too: the 158th Middlefield Agricultural Fair happens August 9 through 11 and the 145th Cummington Fair happens August 22 through 25. These are classic old-time country fairs that honor present-day agricultural life in our region.
And if you miss any of these events, there’s plenty to do year-round in the Hilltowns. Take a hike and explore the natural wonder of the Chesterfield Gorge, go to market at the Old Creamery Co-op, and don’t forget to get try a “wrapple” (think apple pie wrapped into a blanket of pastry) at the Williamsburg General Store. Even just driving along one of our scenic byways is a rewarding journey.