Discover fun and educational events happening this weekend in Western Mass, along with announcements, upcoming events, links, resources and the HFVS podcast.

SUGGEST AN EVENT

Hot Air Balloon Display at the Green River Festival last Saturday in Greenfield, MA (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)

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, place, age appropriateness and costs before attending.

DINNER IN THE HILLTOWNS

Friday & Saturday, July 23rd & 24th at Bread Euphoria in Haydenville: Thai style fish cakes with cucumber relish and coconut rice.  Special drinks: Asian style Pimm’s Cup and Lime Shandy. Also available: Sandwiches, salads, soups and pizza (including Gluten-Free pizza!).  Beer & wine available. 268-7757

BEST BET

Saturday, July 24th at 10:30am: Paintbox Theater presents The Three Billy Goats Gruff at  Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, on the Smith College Campus. Director Tom McCabe is going to place a very special spin on this classic. His take – a tale about bullying. The twist? The troll is the one who is bullied, teased and, at the beginning of the story, alone. With the help of the audience and lots of suggestions from fairy tale characters crossing the bridge overhead, the troll will make friends and work things out. – Making friends is tough, especially if you feel different. – Every kid in the audience can bring their own special talents to participate & shine! 587-3220 Northampton, MA ($)

Saturday, July 24th from 12Noon-5pm & 8-10pm: Pittsfield City Hoopla at Springside Park (874 North Street), in the public gardens behind Springside House. Hula Hooping, Fire Poi Spinning, Drumming by Aimee Gelinas of Gaia Roots (8-10pm) and more.  Great event for all ages! Pittsfield, MA (FREE)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

August 14th at 9pm: Mt. Greylock Star Parties. Join families on the summit of Massachusetts’ highest peak for a wonderful evening of night sky observing!  Astronomy Association members are eager to share their knowledge about the night sky. Families will be able to observe the ringed majesty Saturn, galaxies, open star clusters, whispy nebula, double stars, colored stars, Neptune, Uranus, and much more through telescopes on display. The programs are FREE, appropriate for all ages and canceled only if there is heavy cloud cover or rain. Please contact the Mt. Greylock Visitors Center at (413)-499-4262 or Kevin Collins from the Astronomy Association at (413)-320-2509 if you have questions regarding the program or status of the program. Lanesbourgh, MA (FREE)

BULLETIN BOARD

ADVERTISING & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Deliver your message to a large family based audience while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. Advertise your event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business or announcement here in the Bulletin Board section of our List of Weekly Suggested Events.

Shelley Brooks of the South Berkshire Community Coalition writes: Kickball Tournament – we need players! Deadline to sign up – Friday, July 23… We are looking for 10 eager players that would like to join our SBCC Kickball Team. This fun (one-time) event will take place *Saturday, July 31* at the Little League Field in Great Barrington. The day will begin at 10 a.m. and wrap up arou…nd 6 p.m. All ages (and abilities) are encouraged to join!  Call us at 413-528-1919 x 14 or email at sbcc@chpberkshires.org.

Deadline to enter to win: Tonight, 7/22, at 7pm!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Help support The Food Bank of Western MA. Food and fund drives organized by community groups, schools, and local businesses help fill The Food Bank’s warehouse and enable them to dedicate more resources towards their mission. Organizing a food drive or other fundraising event for The Food Bank can make a major impact in your community. Most-needed items: peanut butter and jelly, rice and canned soup or stew, spaghetti and canned spaghetti sauce, canned pasta meals, tuna, low-sugar cereals, canned beans. For more information about how your group can support The Food Bank, or to arrange a drop-off time of food or funds, please call The Food Bank at 413-247-9738 or email our Development & Marketing Department: development@foodbankwma.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Part-time volunteer opportunities. The Hilltown Community Development Corporation (Hilltown CDC) is offering three part-time one-year stipended volunteer positions starting in September to talented adults (must be over 18) who are interested in serving as Commonwealth Corps members and learning about the community development field. Hours are flexible; each volunteer will serve approximately 17 hours per week as an assistant on community outreach projects relating to Hilltown CDC’s work on affordable housing, small business development and planning projects. For more information, contact Seth Isman at sethi@hilltowncdc.org.

Deadline to enter to win: August 4th

WORKSHOP: Thursday August 12, 2-5 PM. Grow Food at Schools workshop. This popular workshop features school garden and greenhouse techniques, curriculum connections, and service learning. Geared toward educators; all are welcome. PDPs (professional development points) available to teachers. Pre-registration required, contact solidarity@seedsofsolidarity.org.

WORKSHOP: Tuesday, August 24 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Chicopee Public Library, Workshop “Making Sense of Behavior: Teaching Young Children How to Develop Self-Control and Self-Regulation Using Behavioral and Sensory Techniques.” Designed to assist teachers, parents, and caregivers of children with challenging behaviors – the children who hit, bite, scream, etc. We will explore the reasons behind their behaviors and concentrate on a variety of techniques to help them develop more appropriate ways to deal with stress and channel their frustration, energy level, or sensory need. For more information contact Karen Cassidy at 413-783-5500 ext 16 or at kcassidy@thomchild.org.

LOCAL MUSICIANS WANTED: Local musicians wanted to perform as part of the Greenfield Savings Banks Morning Melodies summer series of musical entertainment featuring local artists.  If you have musical ability and would like the opportunity to schedule a date when you could perform for your Hilltown neighbors, please call Sarah Mancinelli (775-8291) at the bank.

PARENT NIGHT OUT: Saturday July 24, 4 PM, 10^th Annual Chili & Chowder Fest, Camp Russell in Richmond, ages 21+. Sponsored by Boys and Girls Clubs of Pittsfield. Now in its tenth year, the Chili & Chowder Fest showcases the talents of chefs from more than 20 eateries across Berkshire County. The event will also feature pontoon boat rides on Richmond Pond, music, raffles, door prizes, beer and wine, and other snacks and refreshments. Tickets may be purchased at the Boys and Girls Club of Pittsfield and will be sold at the door if any remain; tickets are limited to 500. For more information, call (413) 448-8258.

WEEKLY LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS

Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday

Suggest an Event | Local Forecast | Free Museum Passes | Family Centers (Ages 0-4) | Movies in the Valley | Movies in the Berkshires | Farmers’ Markets | Listen Here

Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Saturday – 7/24

6-10am – FAMILY RADIO: Valley Free Radio (WXOJ-LP 103.3FM Northampton, MA) offers 4-hours of commercial-free family programing every Saturday, including the Hilltown Family Variety Show and Spare the Rock. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org.

8:30am-12:30pm – FARMERS’ MARKET: On the town green. Local contradance superstars Rhubarb Pie have reformed as Calamity Physics! Fun, danceable tunes loved by kids and adults alike! Ashfield, MA (MARKET)

9am-10pm – YANKEE DOODLE DAYS: At the Charlemont Fairgrounds.  Civil War Re-Enactment, Ox Draw, Music, Kid Activities, Rides, Demolition Derby, Crafts, Animals, much more. www.charlemontfairgrounds.org Charlemont, MA (>$)

9am-3pm – ARTS FESTIVAL: The Third Annual Otis Arts Festival at the Farmington River Elementary School, 555 Main Road (Rte. 8).  This year over 50 artists and artisans will be featured. Entertainment will feature Moonshine Holler, Appalachian fiddlers and singers  (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.), Henry the Juggler (11 a.m.), Leland Martin, fiddler and Joe Dziok accompanist (1:15 p.m. – 3 p.m.). 269-0220 Otis, MA (FREE, SALE)

9:30am-4:30pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: The kids can learn about colonial cooking at the Historic Deerfield Museum’s Open Hearth Cooking Classes. 775-7214 www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA

10am – HIKE: The Deerfield River Watershed Association’s July Hike will be a chance to explore Colrain’s Archeology and Geography.   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  flashlight to explore caves, unscented  bug repellant and lunch 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.  Please register with Muriel 624-3311. Colrain, MA (FREE)

10am – OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: A Wheelie Good Time on the Manhan Rail Trail – Bring Strollers, wagon, bikes, trikes or just your feet for a child friendly stroll along the Manhan Rail Trail with the Easthampton Family Center. Meet on Payson Ave at the Easthampton Safety Complex. Picnic Snack provided after the stroll. 563-7672 Easthampton, MA (FREE)

10am – MUSIC: Come to the  Greenfield Savings Bank Conway office for family music, featuring Joanie Schwartz, Conway resident, local realtor and singer/songwriter. Joanie is very lively and tries to involve others to sing along. 775-8291 Conway, MA [FREE]

10:30am – FAMILY THEATER: Paintbox Theater presents The Three Billy Goats Gruff at  Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, on the Smith College Campus. 587-3220 Northampton, MA ($)

10:30-11:15am – NATURE STUDIES: Tom Ricardi will have his birds of prey at the Village Commons’ Summer Children’s Entertainment Series, outside in front of the Odyssey Bookshop. South Hadley, MA (FREE)

10:30-11:30am – FAMILY CONCERT: The Zucchini Brothers at Eastfield Mall Center Court. 543-8000 Holyoke, MA (FREE)

11am – THEATER: “The Mummy’s Tale and Other Stories from the Great Beyond” at the Berkshire Museum. This family-friendly journey explores the ultimate mystery: the afterlife as viewed across centuries and cultures. www.berkshiremuseum.org Pittsfield, MA ($)

11am-3pm – TAG SALE: Children’s Tag Sale, Chester Parent Center, Town Center Playgrounds (across from Town Hall). (Rain date July 31) to benefit Chester Elementary School PTO. 623-0111 Chester, MA (SALE)

11am-4pm – ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Snow’s Ice Cream is celebrating their 100th anniversary with $1 ice cream cones for all. Snow’s will be serving cones at the River Valley Market (North King St.). Students of the Northampton Community Music Center will be playing music for the event throughout the earlier part of this event – from 11am till 2pm (approx.) All proceeds of the event will benefit the Music Center. Northampton, MA (FUNDRAISER)

12Noon-3pm – COMMUNITY MEAL: Montague Farm Zen House presents the weekly Montague Farm Cafe -a free, weekly family oriented meal and gathering, with healthy food, art activities, live music, and games. 367-5275 Montague, MA (FREE)

12Noon-5pm & 8-10pm – HOOP-FEST: Pittsfield Cioty Hoopla happens at Springside Park (874 North Street), in the public gardens behind Springside House. Hula Hooping, Fire Poi Spinning, drumming by Aimee Gelinas of Gaia Roots (8-10pm) and more. Pittsfield, MA (FREE)

12:30pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Chow Time in the aquarium at the Berkshire Museum. 443-7171 www.berkshiremuseum.org Pittsfield, MA (FREE w/museum admission)

1pm – ICE CREAM SOCIAL: All ages welcome to cool off with some ice cream at the Whately Library (202 Chestnut Plain Rd.). 210-4346 Whately, MA (FREE)

1pm – SCIENCE STUDIES: Amherst Solar will be set up with their telescopes on the Amherst Town Common all summer. Stop by with the kids and see Sunspots, Prominences, Limb Darkening and more. 256-6234 amastro.org Amherst, MA (FREE)

1-4pm – MUSEUMS ADVENTURES:  Norman Rockwell Museum will celebrate the art of acclaimed “New Yorker” and children’s book illustrator William Steig and his wife/creative collaborator Jeanne Steig, during SuperSteig Day, a family event.  298-4100 www.nrm.org Stockbridge, MA (FREE FOR KIDS)

1-5pm – HISTORIC ADVENTURES: Tour the William Cullen Bryant Homestead. Explore the ancestral home of the great 19th-century poet, newspaperman, and essayist, and wander the grounds above the Westfield River. Try the “I Spy” family activity using a hands-on spy pack to discover the Homestead’s secrets. 634-2244 Cummington, MA (>$)

2pm-12Midnight – BLOCK DANCE: The Hinsdale muster team will be hold its 12th annual Block Dance.  Music, dancing, fireworks, kids’ muster, water polo, bonfire and more.  Hinsdale Fire Department. 655-8084  www.hinsdalefire.org Hinsdale, MA (FREE)

3-6pm – COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: Hilltown Sustainability Celebration at the Cummington Community House (33 Main St.).  Contra dance and potluck/picnic.  Live music with Sarah Stockwell-Arthen, Josh Wachtel and Benny Schults & Choral Group.  Activities for all ages, including dance movement workshop, seed ball making, bag sew, ride an electric bike and more.325 3988 Cummington, MA (FREE)

6pm – MOVIE SCREENING: Ramona and Beezus at Greenfield Garden Cinemas – a red carpet fundraiser!  Moviegoers are encouraged to dress for the red carpet or as their favorite character from the Ramona books. The evening will also feature a silent auction with signed books, movie posters, etc, and a special pre-screening video specific to Franklin County.  774-3167 x 101 Greenfield, MA (FUNDRAISER)

6pm – SPORTS FANS: Take the family out to the ballpark to see a Pittsfield Colonials baseball home game at Wahconah Park. www.pittsfieldcolonials.com Pittsfield, MA ($)

6-9pm – HIKE: Blueberry Moon Hike.  Seach for berries on a 3-mile hike at the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center. Ages 8 & older. (800) 859-2960 Northfield, MA (>$)

7pm – YOUTH THEATER: Starlight’s Youth Theatre’s production of Les Miserables at the Belchertown High School. 533-7896 Belchertown, MA ($)

7pm – OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE: Scaramouche Jones – a one-man show, at the Three Sisters Sanctuary. This is the first performance in the new outdoor stone amphiteater. “On the eve of the millennium, Scaramocuhe Jones, a 100-year old pale faced Gypsy clown, breaks a fifty year silence to tell his life story. We are taken on a journey from the slums of Trinidad to England, via Africa, Italy and wartime Poland: an odyssey spanning the entire 20th Century.” Performances are July 22 – 31. www.threesistsersanctuary.com 268-3850 Goshen, MA ($)

8pm – THEATER: Double Edge Theatre presents The Firebird 2010 Indoor/Outdoor Traveling Summer Spectacle. The Firebird is based on the classic Russian folk tale as well as a multiplicity of other Firebird and Phoenix myths and legends. 866-811-4111 www.doubleedgetheatre.org Ashfield, MA ($)

8:45pm – DRIVE-IN MOVIE: Northfield Drive-In movie theater is featuring The Sorcerer’s Apprentice as their first show, and Grown Ups as their second show this weekend. (603) 239-4054 www.northfielddrivein.com Northfield, MA ($)

Sunday – 7/25

7-8am – FAMILY RADIO: Valley Free Radio (WXOJ-LP 103.3FM Northampton, MA) airs encores the Hilltown Family Variety Show every Sunday morning. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org.

8am – WOMEN’S TRAIL RUN: Women of all levels are welcomed to a casual weekly trail run at the Chesterfield Gorge. All distances/All levels welcome. Organized by Leslie Charles and Tanya Rapinchuk. West Chesterfield, MA (FREE)

9am-10pm – YANKEE DOODLE DAYS: At the Charlemont Fairgrounds.  Civil War Re-Enactment, Ox Draw, Music, Kid Activities, Rides, Demolition Derby, Crafts, Animals, much more. www.charlemontfairgrounds.org Charlemont, MA (>$)

9am-4pm – BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL: At the Austerlitz Historical Society.  he event will feature early 19th Century craft demonstrations and wares, antiques, live music and entertainment for children, many different vendors and a variety of foods to feed the masses.  There will be blueberries galore and a blueberry pancake breakfast. (518) 392-0062 Austerlitz, NY (>$, Kids Under 12 FREE)

11am – FAMILY THEATER: “The Mummy’s Tale and Other Stories from the Great Beyond” at the Berkshire Museum. This family-friendly journey explores the ultimate mystery: the afterlife as viewed across centuries and cultures. www.berkshiremuseum.org Pittsfield, MA ($)

11am – BLOCK DANCE: The Hinsdale muster team will be hold its 12th annual Block Dance.  Parade, music, dancing, fireworks, kids’ muster, water polo, bonfire and more.  Hinsdale Fire Department. 655-8084  www.hinsdalefire.org Hinsdale, MA (FREE)

1-1:45pm – CIRCUS:  The Circus is Coming to Town at Greenfield Energy Park.  Trapeze, tumbling, juggling and balancing performed by advanced students from the New England Center for Circus Arts! Bring lunch and the family.  www.ma-greenfield.gov Greenfield, MA (DONATION)

1-5pm – HISTORIC ADVENTURES: Tour the William Cullen Bryant Homestead. Explore the ancestral home of the great 19th-century poet, newspaperman, and essayist, and wander the grounds above the Westfield River. Try the “I Spy” family activity using a hands-on spy pack to discover the Homestead’s secrets. 634-2244 Cummington, MA (>$)

2pm – SPORTS FANS: Take the family out to the ballpark to see a Pittsfield Colonials baseball home game at Wahconah Park. www.pittsfieldcolonials.com Pittsfield, MA ($)

3-5pm – SEWING: Ashfield Needles and Threads meets at Elmer’s. Get together and sew, knit, crochet, chat, hook rugs… ibranson@crocker.com Ashfield, MA (FREE)

3-5pm – PLAYGROUP: Join parents from the Northampton Parent Center at the Easthampton Community Gardens with Kate. 582.2636 Easthampton, MA (FREE)

4-6pm – OUTDOOR GAME: Pick-up Ultimate Frisbee at the Ashfield Ballfield. Ages 10 & older. More info call William at 628-3336. Ashfield, MA (FREE)

6:30pm – FAMILY THEATER: The Majestic Theater presents: The Legend of Paul Bunyan. his musical follows Paul Bunyan from his home as a child with Babe the Blue Ox to his grown-up life as a lumberjack.  Cheer on Paul and his friends like Sourdough Sam and Johnny Inkslinger as they try to get out of jam after jam and try to find a happy ending! 747-7797 West Springfield, MA ($)

7pm – OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE: Scaramouche Jones – a one-man show, at the Three Sisters Sanctuary. This is the first performance in the new outdoor stone amphiteater. “On the eve of the millennium, Scaramocuhe Jones, a 100-year old pale faced Gypsy clown, breaks a fifty year silence to tell his life story. We are taken on a journey from the slums of Trinidad to England, via Africa, Italy and wartime Poland: an odyssey spanning the entire 20th Century.” Performances are July 22 – 31. www.threesistsersanctuary.com 268-3850 Goshen, MA ($)

8pm – THEATER: Double Edge Theatre presents The Firebird 2010 Indoor/Outdoor Traveling Summer Spectacle. The Firebird is based on the classic Russian folk tale as well as a multiplicity of other Firebird and Phoenix myths and legends. 866-811-4111 www.doubleedgetheatre.org Ashfield, MA ($)

8-10pm – OUTDOOR FAMILY THEATER: Mettawee River Theatre Presents: The Woman Who Fell from the Sky, an outdoor theater/puppet production at Springside Park.  In the case of rain, the First Congregational Church on Park Square. – The production will incorporate many puppets representing the spirits and creatures of this young world, including masks, giant figures, puppets and other visual elements with live music, movement and text, drawing on myths, legends and folklore of the world’s many cultures for its material.  www.mettawee.org Pittsfield, MA

8:45pm – DRIVE-IN MOVIE: Northfield Drive-In movie theater is featuring The Sorcerer’s Apprentice as their first show, and Grown Ups as their second show this weekend. (603) 239-4054 www.northfielddrivein.com Northfield, MA ($)