What to do on Columbus Day Weekend in Western Mass?

It’s Columbus Day weekend, which means my daughter has Monday AND TUESDAY off from school next week. While there’s plenty to do this weekend and on Monday … what to do on Tuesday? I did run into Lui Collins at the Meekins Library in Worthington who told me about a Kids’ Jam she’s offering for older kids, starting this Tuesday that runs for ten weeks! Something to do!

One thing my daughter’s looking forward to are science classes held on Mondays in Northampton. Mad Science is offering an eight week after-school science enrichment program for kids her age. The participants get a hands-on learning experience on the science of art, energy, zoology, gravity, biology, motion and robots. There was an open house a couple of weeks ago and she was sold! They will also be offering drop-in classes every other Friday evening.

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SUGGESTED EVENTS

If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, or would like to submit your event to the Hilltown Families calendar of Suggested Events, email Sienna at swildfield@juno.com. Comments are warmly welcomed!

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Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Saturday -10/06

8am – FAMILY RADIO – The Hilltown Family Variety Show will be filling in this week, feature music from all the participating artists from the HFVS 1st Annual T-Shirt Review. So while traveling around town, tune-in to WXOJ 103.3 FM in Northampton, MA, from 8-10am to hear fabulous family-friendly music on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child [All ages] (Free)

9am – BOOK SALES – Stock up on books for your kids at both the Meekins Library in Williamsburg & the Ashfield Library in Ashfield. [Families] ($)

10am – 5pm – FALL FESTIVAL – The Ashfield Fall festival happens on the common in Ashfield, MA. Click here for details. [Families] (Free/$)

10am – 5pm – FALL FESTIVAL – The Berkshire Harvest Festival happens at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, MA. 413.298.3926 [Families] ($)

10am – KIDS PEACE MARCH – Kids will be gathering with their families in Northampton at the corner of Gothic and Main Streets for a Peace March; Peace at home, in our country and all over the world. Get the kids to make their own peace banners and join in a march through downtown Northampton. Facilitated by Wyatt Marshall. [Families] (Free)

10am – 2pm – FIRE HOUSE OPEN HOUSE – After the kids March for Peace in Northampton, head over to the Noho Fire Dept. 26 Safety Open House. There will be firefighting demos, cooking safety tips, fire prevention tips, Sparky the fire pup and more. 413.587.1032. [Families] (Free)

10:30am – HISTORIC TRADES – Made by Hand: Trades of the Past. Let the family learn about different historic trades at the Historic Deerfield Museum in Deerfield, MA. There will be demonstrations on potting, tinsmithing and silversmithing. 413.775.7214 Families] ($/Borrow a museum pass from your library)

11am – 3pm – PUMPKIN FESTIVAL – Hanging Mountain Farms in Westhampton, MA will be hosting a Pumpkin Festival with carving contest, face painting, petting zoo, hayrides and more. 413.527.0710 [Families] (N/A)

Noon-4pm – HISTORY WORKSHOP – Made by Hand: Trades of the Past. Take the kids to Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA, to learn about the kinds of things that people made by hand every day in early New England. Practice sewing or have fun making a hand-made toy out of clay to take home. Included with general admission. At History Workshop. 413.775.7214 [Families] ($/Borrow a museum pass from your library)

8pm – PARENT’S NIGHT OUT – Take your honey dancing in Greenfield, MA. Wild Asparagus will be hosting a contra dance at the Guiding Star Grange. Click here for directions. [Adults] ($)

Sunday – 10/07

9am-3pm – FALL FESTIVAL – The Bisbee Mill Museum in Chesterfield, MA, will be holding their annual fall festival. [Families] (N/A)

10am – 5pm – FALL FESTIVAL – The Ashfield Fall festival happens on the common in Ashfield, MA. Click here for details. [Families] (Free/$)

10am – 5pm – FALL FESTIVAL – The Berkshire Harvest Festival happens at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, MA. 413.298.3926 [Families] ($)

11am – 3pm – PUMPKIN FESTIVAL – Hanging Mountain Farms in Westhampton, MA will be hosting a Pumpkin Festival with carving contest, face painting, petting zoo, hayrides and more. 413.527.0710 [Families] (N/A)

11:30am – SIGNING STORYTIMES – Learn ALS (sign language) with your child at the Toy Box in Amherst, MA. 413.256.8697 [All ages] (Free)

Noon-4pm – HISTORY WORKSHOP – Made by Hand: Trades of the Past. Take the kids to Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA, to learn about the kinds of things that people made by hand every day in early New England. Practice sewing or have fun making a hand-made toy out of clay to take home. Included with general admission. At History Workshop. 413.775.7214 [Families] ($/Borrow a museum pass from your library)

2pm-4pm – HISTORICAL MUSEUM – Every Sunday through 10/21 families can take their children to the Blacksmith Shop Museum in Westhampton, MA, to explore their collection and learn a little about the history of our area. (Ages 5 & up) (Free)

Monday – 10/08

Columbus Day

11:30am – SIGNING STORYTIMES – Learn ALS (sign language) with your child at the Toy Box in Amherst, MA. 413.256.8697 [All ages] (Free)

Noon & 2pm – KIDS CONCERT – The Pop Rockets will be performing two sets in South Deerfield, MA. Click here for details. [Families] (Free)

1pm – 3pm – BIRTHDAY PARTY – The famous stegosaurus at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, turns 10! Celebrate with free admission all day. Balloons, cake and other activities. 413.443.7171 [Families] (Free)

Tuesday – 10/09

1pm & 2pm – PARENT EXERCISE – Community Walking Program in the Hilltowns, organized by the Hilltown Community Health Centers. Every Tuesday (weather permitting) meet at Russell Conway School Parking lot in Worthington, MA. Beginner start at 1pm & experienced walkers start at 2pm. Call to register. 413.667.2204 [Parents] (Free)

4pm & 5:30pm- READING & WRITING – Readers & Writers club at the Lilly Library in Florence, MA. Click here for more info. [Kids must be able to read & write] (Free)

4pm & 6pm – KIDS’ JAM – Join Hilltown Music Together director Lui Collins in a new music and movement for “big kids” at the Belding Memorial Library in Ashfield, MA. Two different time slots are available. Classes run through 12/11. Scholarship aid is available. Open to home schoolers and other family groups. 413.628.0197 [Ages 5-6+] ($$)

7pm – FAMILY RADIO – Tune-in between bath and bedtime to the Hilltown Families very own radio show, the Hilltown Family Variety Show, on WXOJ LP 103.3 FM, Valley Free Radio out of Northampton, MA. www.valleyfreeradio.org. This week’s special guest is Monty Harper. [Families] (Free)

7:30pm – CHINESE THEATER – The Birth of Monkey King will be in the Bowker Auditorium at UMass in Amherst, MA, featuring the Chinese Theatre Works, a renowned troupe of Chinese puppeteers. 413.545.2511 [families] ($$)

Wednesday – 10/10

9pm – PARENT COFFEE BREAK – After dropping the kids off at school or their homeschool program, drop into Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA. Not only do they have great coffee, they have a fantastic breakfast menu too. Connect with other parents. If you’d rather do some work, bring your laptop (they have wireless!) and let them bring you coffee! To find out what’s happen over at Elmer’s, read Notes from Nan, a weekly update posted here on Hilltown Families. [Parents] ($)

3pm – SPANISH FOR KIDS – Spanish classes for kids will be held at the Children’s Art Museum in Shelburne Falls, MA, going until 11/14. Classes are a combination of music and movement, stories and circle games. Participants from varying language backgrounds are welcomed. 413.625.6826 [Ages 4-7] ($$)

5:30pm – COOKING FAMILY MEALS – The Easthampton Family Center is sponsoring an evening of interactive cooking demos and tasting at the Easthampton Family Center in Easthampton, MA. Their program, Healthy Habits Take Root: From the Garden to Your Table, where children and parents will be encouraged to participate in meal preparation. All families welcomed. Pre-registration required. Free child care is available. 413.563.7672 [Families] (Free)

7pm – CO-OP ORIENTATION – Parents are invited to attend the River Valley Market Cooperative orientation at the Civic Center in Florence, MA. Come discover how your family can be a part of this consumer owned cooperative while supporting local agriculture in a just marketplace. Click here for more information. [Adults] (Free)

Thursday – 10/11

9am – PARENT SOCIAL – Hilltown Families invites parents to gather at Bread Euphoria in Haydenville after dropping off the kids. Get yourself a scone and tea and chat with other area parents before heading off to work or to accomplish your never-ending “to do list.” [Parents] ($)

10am & Noon – MUSICAL THEATER – Max & Ruby at the Bowker Auditorium at UMass in Amherst, MA. 413.545.2116 [Ages 4-7] ($)

5:30pm – READ TO DOGS – The Meekins Library in Williamsburg, MA, will be resuming their special program Reading to Dogs. Animals are ideal nonjudgemental reading companions that are less intimidating than peers. Children sign up for 20minute slots. All dogs are registered therapy pets. 413.268.7472 [Ages 6 & up] (Free)

Friday – 10/12

11am-12:50pm – HOMESCHOOL ICE SKATING – Mullins Center at the University of MA in Amherst, MA, is starting up a Home School (Ice) Skates. Ice skate rentals are free and accompanying parents are free. The Mullins Cafe will be open serving coffee and assorted foods. [Ages 5 & up] (>$)

5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, invites community members to come together to share dinner and conversation every Friday evening. Click here for menu 413.628.4003 [Families] ($)

7pm – FAMILY PERFORMANCE- Billy Jonas will be performing at the Clark Art Institute Words are Wonderful Festival in Williamstown, MA. 413.458.2303 [Families] ($)

Anyday – Anytime

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