Community members packed the house at Elmer's in Ashfield, MA as they gather together to share and watch Obama's inaugural address on a big screen TV. - (c) Tony(a) Lemos of Ashfield, MA

SUGGEST AN EVENT

If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, post your event on our “Suggest An Event” page.

FEATURED EVENT

There are so many great events happening this weekend, with many great reasons to visit our local museums.

On Saturday, the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield is hosting a free day with opening day festivities for the exhibit, Race to the Top.  Events include ice carving, dog sledding, lecture on Inuit wisdom and an early evening party. Click here to read more.

Then on Sunday, the Stone Hill Center’s winter wonderland setting at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown will provide the perfect backdrop for free fantastic family fun from 12:30 to 3:30 pm with more dog sledding, snowshoe excursions, snow sculpting and painting, sledding and a campfire complete with hot chocolate.  Click here to read more.

In case you missed it this week, check out the post The Wonderment of Museum to find out how to get the most of your visit to museums.

HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW

Keeth from The Harmonica Pocket co-hosts this week’s episode of HFVS. On Saturday, tune in from 9-10am to 103.3FM (Northampton, MA) or listen on-line at www.valleyfreeradio.org. Then after lunch time, head over to Mass MoCA in North Adams, MA to see them perform live at 1pm in Club B-10 . You’ll be happy you did!

Suggest an Event | Local Forecast | Get Directions | Free Museum Passes | School Closings and Delays | Family Centers (Ages 0-4) | Facebook

Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Saturday – 01/24/09

• 7am-9am – Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child on The River and 103.3FM WXOJ, Northampton, MA.
• 9am-10am – Hilltown Family Variety Show on 103.3FM WXOJ, Northampton, MA.
• People’s Music Network Songs of Freedom & Struggle Winter Gathering happens all weekend at the Greenfield High School in Greenfield, MA.
• Are your kids into trains?  The Eastern States Exposition presents Amherst Railroad Hobby Show all weekend in West Springfield, MA.
• 9am-Noon – In the Bleak Mid-Winter Farmers’ Market happens at the United Church of Bernardston in Bernardston, MA.
• 10am-1pm – Earth Skills Practice for families with Earthworks in Ashfield, MA.
• Noon-1:50pm – Public ice skating at the Collins/Moylan Memorial Skating Rink in Greenfield. Skate rentals available. 413.772.6891
• 1-4pm – A festival and potluck to celebrate the Lunar New Year of China, Korea and Vietnam at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center in Brattleboro, VT. [Free]
• 1pm – The Harmonica Pocket will be performing at Mass MoCA in North Adams, MA.
• 1-6:30pm – Race to the Top opening day festivities at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA.   Ice-carving, sled dogs, igloo-making, and more. [FREE]
• 2-5pm – Knitting class at the Cummington Library in Cummington, MA. [FREE]
• 2-4pm – Greenfield Area Figure Skating Club presents Exhibition on Ice at the Collins-Moylan Arena in Greenfield, MA.  Admission to this event supports the Center for Self-Reliance Emergency Food Pantry.  Bring a non-perishable food item for each person attending.  Pre-owned skates & skating dresses for sale
• 3:45-4:30pm – Young Farmers at Red Gate Farm in Buckland, MA. [Free]
• 4pm – Men’s college basketball at UMass in Amherst, MA.
• 7:15- 10:30pm – Community Contra Dance at the Munson Library in South Amherst, MA.  (413) 256-0673

Sunday – 01/25/09

• People’s Music Network Songs of Freedom & Struggle Winter Gathering happens all weekend at the Greenfield High School in Greenfield, MA.
• Are your kids into trains?  The Eastern States Exposition presents Amherst Railroad Hobby Show all weekend in West Springfield, MA.
• 10am-1pm – Winter Wildlife Adaptations Snowshoe/Hike at Chapel Brook Reservation in Ashfield, MA.
• 11am – Learn how chocolate is made at the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington, MA. [Free]
• 12:30-3:30pm – Winter fun with the Family Day at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA. [FREE]
• 1:30- 3:20pm – Public ice skating at the Collins/Moylan Memorial Skating Rink in Greenfield. Skate rentals available. 413.772.6891
• 3pm – Music for a Just and Peaceful World at the Saint James Episcopal Church in Greenfield, MA, hosted by the Interfaith Council of Franklin County.
• 4-6pm – Family-style contra dance for all ages at the Montague Grange in Montague, MA.

Weekday 01/26-01/30

Monday starts the fifteen day Chinese New Year Celebration!  For more events happening this week visit our “Suggest An Event” page. There are also fun suggestions on our THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO SEE page. If you know of an upcoming event that you would like to share with other families, please feel encourage to do so by posting it HERE.