On Wednesday, June 17th, 2009, a free public screening of the art film, “Mad City Chickens” will be showing at Forbes Library in Northampton, MA at 7 PM. The documentary tells the stories of some backyard chicken people. Refreshments, discussion, and backyard chicken Q&A following the film. Sponsored by the PVBCA and Forbes Library. For more information, click on the photo above. (Photo Credit: Sienna Wildfield)

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. The events below are “suggested.” Please take the time to confirm that these events are happening, along with time, location, age appropriateness and costs before attending

BULLETIN BOARD

• The Franklin County Huger Task Force is encouraging home gardeners and others to increase their vegetable plot by at least one row for the benefit of hunger relief programs in the area. Read more …
• There will be a veggie cart at The Old Creamery in Cummington, MA in July to supply food to anyone who needs it. Anyone can contribute their extra produce. If you want to help contact Kathy McMahon @ 634-0002. Read more …
• iTunes has selected The Sippy Cups’ new single “Seven Is The New 14,″ featured recently on the Hilltown Family Variety Show, to be their first ever Discover Download in the Children’s genre. The song will be available free from the iTunes Store for one week beginning today.
• Johns Hopkins University offers resources on “How You Can Keep Kids Sharp This Summer.” Review their handy tools including tips to help parents ensure a memorable summer, a research brief on how to make summer reading effective, and resources to help you find a summer program in your area.

HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW

Tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show on Saturdays from 9-10am on Valley Free Radio (VFR), 103.3FM (Northampton, MA), or listen via streaming audio at www.ValleyFreeRadio.org. Every Saturday VFR offers four hours of commercial-free, quality family program from 6-10am, including Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child from 7am-9am. It’s better than Saturday morning cartoons!

This weeks episode is hosted by Ben Rudnick of Ben Rudnick & Friends!

SUMMER CAMPS

• If you are looking for summer camp  opportunities in Western Massachusetts, or have a summer camp you would like to recommend, check out the HF Suggest a Camp page.  Featured this week is Spirit of the Heart Marital Arts & Crafts Camp.  There are two opportunities in Northampton, one in Cummington and a girls overnight.  Click here to discover more.
• A recommended article for parents of girls: Is Summer Camp Good for Your Daughter?
  

Riverfest "Frog & Flower Parade" (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)

FEATURED EVENT

RIVERFEST:  On Saturday, June 13, the village of Shelburne Falls will once again celebrate the Deerfield River and the surrounding countryside with RiverFest. RiverFest is an annual tribute to the Deerfield River, and the role it plays in people’s lives and the ecosystem of western Massachusetts. Through entertaining, educational displays and demonstrations, a unique “Frog & Flower Parade” of schoolchildren (and adults), art, crafts, tag, book and plant sales, RiverFest helps people of all ages-area residents as well as visitors-gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for a rich natural resource.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “History, Present and Future of our Watershed”, grownups and youngsters will be able to

• meet some of the spectacular birds of prey that soar through local skies
• find out about the environmental and health benefits of eating locally grown foods
• learn about sources of safe, sustainable energy
• discover how to identify invasive and edible wild plants
• take a ride on a historic trolley car
• even spend some quality time rafting on the river

There will be musicians and vendors throughout the village, children’s games, singing and storytelling, creative workshops leading up to the colorful “Frog & Flower Parade,” and much more! 625-6628. (See Lui’s comment below for an update on times)

Suggest an Event | Local Forecast | Get Directions | Free Museum Passes | Farmer’s Market | Family Centers (Ages 0-4)|Facebook

Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Saturday – 06/13

• 7am-9am – RADIO SHOW: Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child on 103.3FM WXOJ, Northampton, MA or starting at 8am on The River.
• 9am-10am – RADIO SHOW: Hilltown Family Variety Show on 103.3FM WXOJ, Northampton, MA – GUEST DJ: BEN RUDNICK FROM BEN RUDNICK & FRIENDS!
• FESTIVAL – RiverFest in Shelburne Falls, MA. RiverFest is an annual tribute to the Deerfield River, and the role it plays in people’s lives and the ecosystem of western Massachusetts, including a “Frog & Flower Parade.” (Free) (See Lui’s comment below for an update on times)
• MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, MA. – Family Planting Day. Free Admission for Berkshire County residents this weekend. 800.817.1137
• 10-11:30am – FARM TOUR: Seeds of Solidarity in Orange, MA welcomes families to come tour their farm. Learn about their solar greenhouses, energy efficient buildings, abundant market gardens, solar electric and hot water systems, and biodiesel vehicles. Then stay for a potluck picnic and the afternoon workshop on No-Till Gardening. 978-544-9023. Free.
• 10am-4pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: It’s Garden Day Inspired by Nature at the Historic Deerfield Museum in Deerfield, MA.  A full day of hands-on activities for the family centered on the role of the garden in history.  (Under 6 and members are free.)
• 10am-5pm – FESTIVAL & CONCERT: Eric Carle Museum Birthday Bash and Children’s Book Festival With Elizabeth Mitchell in concert in Amherst, MA.
• 1:30pm – SUSTAINABILITY LECTURE: At the Historic Deerfield Museum in Deerfield, MA, John Forti, Curator of Historic Gardens and Landscapes at Strawberry Banke museum in Portsmouth, NH, will give a lecture titled “Slow Food: Sustainable Gardens.”
• 12Noon-2pm – FUNDRAISER: Weston’s Walkers First Annual Extreme Bowl-A-Thon at Spare Time in Northampton, MA, raising money for Autism Speaks! Tickets include two hours of bowling with shoes included.
• 1-4pm – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Spring Volunteer Day at Red Gate Farm in Buckland, MA. Help out in the garden, paint the classroom, clear trails, mend fences, or organize our classroom.  Light snacks and beverages will be provided. (Free)
• 2:30pm – THEATRE: Salmon Falls will be performed by the Piti Theatre Company behind the Arms Library on the lawn in Shelburne Falls, MA, during the RiverFest celebration. (Free)
• 5-8pm – ART WALK: Easthampton Bear Fest – Unveiling of the Bears!  More than 30 bears decorated and painted by local and regional artists, placed in various locations downtown. Come and enjoy the afternoon & evening with a full day of events, exhibits and fun in Easthampton, MA. Locations all over Easthampton host free visual, music and performance art events in an energetic sampling of local, regional and national talent. (Free)

Sunday – 06/14

• Take the kids strawberry picking.
• 1pm – HISTORY HIKE:  Explore Colrain’s archeology and geography. The public is invited to join Muriel Russell, local expert in Catamount history, for an exploration of cellar holes and caves in the Catamount State Forest. This is always a popular hike because of its variety and it is not too strenuous. Bring bug repellant, water, flashlight to explore caves and a snack to enjoy at McLeod Pond. Directions to start: From Rte. 112 in Griswoldville, Colrain, take Adamsville Rd. to Lively Rd., then quick left onto East Catamount Rd. (steep and dirt) to end where there is parking.  (413) 624-3311. (Free)
• 1pm – PARADE: Hadley 350th Celebration Parade in Hadley, MA (Free)
• 4-8pm – FESTIVAL: Cowboy Festival in Ashfield, MA on the town common.
• 5pm – DANCE: Live Flamenco music and dance at the Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton, MA with Flamenco Aficion.
• 6:30pm – POTLUCK: Wildfood Potluck at the Village Congregational Church in Cummington, MA. (potluck)

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