Hilltown Families 
Win Weekend Passes to the 26th Annual Green River Festival!
Win a Pair of Weekend Passes to the
GREEN RIVER FESTIVAL
July 14th & 15th, 2012
Greenfield, MA
Enter to win a pair of tickets to the Green River Festival in Greenfield, MA! Deadline to enter to win is Friday, July 6th. Details on how to enter to win are outlined below.
Hilltown Families and the Green River Festival have partnered up to offer two very lucky families a pair of weekend passes to the 26th Annual Green River Festival (their 2nd Annual 25th Anniversary!), the weekend of July 14th & 15th, 2012!
With a pair of tickets, and free admittance for children under twelve, two adults can take a gaggle of kids and plan on spending the day at this great festival, all weekend long! Tickets do not including parking or food.
Details on how to enter to win are below. Deadline to enter to win is Friday, July 6th by 7pm (EST).
ABOUT THE GREEN RIVER FESTIVAL
Located in Greenfield, Massachusetts, the festival is presented by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce on the campus of Greenfield Community College. This 2-day festival combines music on multiple stages, delicious local food, crafts from a range of artisans, a dance tent, family music on the River Meltdown tent, balloon illuminations and hot air balloon launches (weather permitting) for Western Massachusetts’ biggest outdoor event of the summer!
The Green River Festival began in 1986 as a balloon festival and has gained increasing popularity each year as more and more music and dance entertainment have been added. Today it has become a fantastic summer musical event in Western Massachusetts with three stages of music. This year the festival will feature Arlo Guthrie and the Guthrie Family, Los Lobos, Ozomatl, Richard Thompson, Rubblebucket, Rebirth Brass Band, David Wax Museum, Chris Smither, Winterpills, CJ Chenier, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Elizabeth Cook, Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, The Sweetback Sister, Lake Street Dive, Peter Mulvey & The Crumbling Beauties, Martin Simpson, Session Americana, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, and many many other great acts!
Family favorites on the Meltdown Stage this year include: Uncle Rock, Flannery Brothers, Deedle Deedle Dees, Alastair Moock & friends, Mister G, Dog on Fleas, and several others. See the complete schedule here.
Find out more about this award-winning Western Mass music festival at www.GreenRiverFestival.com.
HOW TO WIN
We’re putting together a bucket list of things to do and places to see in Western MA with the family in the summer time. Recommend your favorite attraction, must see or must do family activity, and be entered to win a pair of weekend tickets to the Green River Festival for July 14th & 15th, 2012. To be eligible to win simply:
- POST YOUR RECOMMENDATION AS OUTLINED ABOVE (one entry per household) and be sure to tell us your
- FULL NAME (first/last) and where you
- LIVE (TOWN/STATE) must include your town to be eligible.
- ACCURATE EMAIL (we never share your email address).
- CONSIDER SHARING ON FACEBOOK by selecting the Facebook icon below.
- We’ll randomly draw two winners and will share the results below.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is Friday, 07/06/12 @ 7pm (EST).
If you don’t win, tickets are available online at www.greenriverfestival.com.
And for our eNewsletter subscribers we offered a third opportunity for one of our readers to win a pair of weekend tickets to the festival. Thank you to everyone who entered to win there too. We will be mailing a pair of tickets to:
But wait! We’re offering even one more chance to win a weekend pass to the festival! We have such a great bucket list here from all of our participants that we want to bump it up to at least 100 things to do and places to see in Western MA for families in the summertime. Invite your friends to post their recommendations to the list too and to let us know in their recommendation that you sent them here to do so. The previous participant with the most mentions by Tuesday, July 10th at 11:59pm will win a single weekend pass! In the event of a tie, we will randomly select a winner. Winner will be posted here Wednesday morning and must respond within 24 hours to hilltownfamilies@gmail.com with their mailing address to receive tickets via USPS.
We love to go blueberry picking at River Valley Farm in Whately!
Laura Muller
Amherst, MA
So many great ideas here!
I like to pick up sandwiches and Polish treats from BBA Deli Market in South Deerfield, then hike up Mt. Sugarloaf for a picnic with a view.
April Genung in Sunderland
oops
Musante Beach
Keith Lepine
Northampton, MA
Musante Beach is a relaxing and inexpensive way to spend the afternoons reading, swimming and picnicking.
Thursday night music energy park greenfield
Karen Wessinger
Greenfield ma
I love to take a picnic to Greenfield Energy Park with my daughter and enjoy the music. She loves the music, play structure, and trains.
Buckland Recreation also has movies out by the pool at night during the summer. Next best thing to the old drive-ins! (Northfield drive in is also a great summer activity….)
We love to go to Chapel Brook; a beautiful land near Ashfield protected by the Trustees of the Reservation. On one side of the road there’s is a lovely hike where begining rock climbers can practice their skills. On the other side of the road is a series of cascading waterfalls, one even safe & gentle enough to slide down (with caution!) The water is deliciously icy-cold even on the warmest of summer days.
Christy Winslow
Northampton, MA
MassMOCA combined with Natural Bridges is always a good day trip. More locally, the Mill River offers countless great spots to bath–many of which are along our excellent bike paths.
Ruth von Goeler
Northampton, MA
Frisbee in Child’s Park in Noho. This park seems to be the most under utilized resource in the area. This well manicured gem harkens back to another time.
Glenn Sullivan
Holyoke, MA
Walking on the Quabbin Dam. It is a great place to take pictures of the kids.
Matthew Galman
Shutesbury, MA
The Eric Carle Museum is a great place to spend some time.
Eugenie Wu, Shutesbury, MA
Any way you can float down the Deerfield is sheer joy. It’s great 3 seasons, but late spring is very special – beautiful and exciting!
Yelena’s Flavorland Soft Serve
93 Turners Falls Rd
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Glenn Johnson
Greenfield, MA
The Upper Valley Music Festival, July 21, 2012 in Turners Falls. It’s a noon to midnight event that takes place at multiple venues (including Great Hall at Great Falls Discovery Center) in downtown Turners. Celtic music, singer-songwriters, rock n’ roll, contra dancing, you name it. The days events (including lots of opportunities to dance) are family friendly. And all proceeds benefits the American Cancer Society to boot. Check it out: http://www.uppervalleymusicfest.com/index.html
Our favorite event is Yankee Doodle Days in Charlemont they have great fireworks and a demo Derby! Favorite everyday activities are the bike trails (i.e. Norwottuck and the Turners Falls one)
Bernardston, Ma
We always make sure to go to the 3 County Fairgrounds to catch a horse show, preferably the sliders – it is truly amazing.
H. Polson / Northampton / MA
Visit the peace pagoda in Leverett. Marion Hohn, Amherst, MA
Conway Station hike in and swim in that crystal clear water!
Marissa Potter
Shelburne Falls, MA
Picnic dinner at the DAR in Goshen, followed by an evening canoe tour of the lake. The perfect after-work/after-camp end to a summer day.
Jennifer Grow
Florence, Mass.
Camping at the Falcon Ridge Folk Fest just over the MA/NY border by Great Barrington – with Family Stage and Activities For Kids running full-tilt all weekend, a perfect never-miss summer activity for toddlers and tykes alike. Our nine and seven year olds look forward to this all year; they’ve been going since their pre-natal days! http://coverlaydown.com/2012/06/festival-coverfolk-falcon-ridge-folk-fest-july-27-29-2012/
Joshua Farber
Monson, MA
We love to go to the Heath Fair! It’s the perfect family day trip. Be sure to watch the herding dogs, eat lots of good food and jump into the cross cut saw competition!!
Zoe Johnson
Ashfield, MA
I second the Jacob’s PIillow inside/out stage. Also weekends at Camp Norwich for members of the Northampton Y.
Amy Meltzer
Northamtpon, ma
Besides the Green River Fest, I think my summer recommendation would be to enjoy the free Thursday evening concerts at Energy Park in Greenfield. Very family friendly!
Judy Bennett
Greenfield, MA
Summer isn’t complete without canoeing or kayaking (lots of places, but especially the DAR during blueberry season), blueberry picking at Fox Run, a summer hike at Graves Farms, soft serve from the Village Green . . .
Sara Barry
Haydenville, MA
We would go to Puffer’s Pond every day if we could!
Karen Bayne
Northampton, MA
On of our favorite summertime activities is playing Pooh Sticks on the bridge at the Mill River recreation area, and then walking on the trail to the Puffer’s waterfall.
Town and State: Amherst, MA
Swimming at Ashfield Lake and then eating on the deck at the lake house!
Hot summer days mean heading to Flayvors of Cook Farm in Hadley for great ice cream and finding a spot to fish on a local river and if it has a rope swing~ bonus!
Since it’s sooooooooooooooo hot, I am reminded that one of our family’s favorite little trips is to Conway Station for a dip in that COLD water – so refreshing, so beautiful!
Jessica Day
Greenfield, MA
Turner’s Falls Block Party is always a blast with excellent music, food and vendors. Any summer night in Northampton you can wander with a coffee or your favorite drink from any number of cafes, eat outside at a number of restaurants and enjoy street musicians.A hike or drive up Sugarloaf for beautiful views of this wonderful valley of ours. And of course the Green River Music Festival and the balloon liftoff on that Saturday morning are fabulous!
Make that South “Hadley.”
The Cummington Fair was great when the kids were younger. Now we do a lot of fishing at Lake Metacomet in Belchertown.
Mark Melhorn
South Haldey MA
We love to spend the day on the shores of the Westfield River. We bring a cooler of food and drinks and plan on leaving after bedtime.
Elaine Randall
Lee, MA
413-243-4032
My grandsons love the train and mini golf at Look Park in Florence.
Hamden, CT
Enjoying good, local food at good, local restaurants outdoors when the air is warm and the breeze is gentle makes the living easy in summertime. Fortunately for all of us, there is an abundance of all of these in summer in western Mass. My favorites include the Lady Killigrew at the Bookmill in Montague, Ristorante DiPaolo in Turners Falls, and Mama Iguana’s in Northampton. We’re also fortunate to live amidst a number of local “creamies” and “frosties.” We’re big fans of the 5Js in South Deerfield (which also has super-sweet pick-your-own strawberries), and the Sugarloaf Frostie in Sunderland when it’s a hot-enough-for-ice-cream evening.
Cheri Karbon from Deerfield, Ma
The Butterfly Museum in Deerfield reminds me of home in Costa Rica!
Monteverde, CR/Hamden, CT
Fishing at the Highland Park pond in Greenfield is free for kids under 12 and their accompanying adults.
Bring kids, dogs, and bread/cheerios to feed to the trumpeter swans along the canal in Turner’s Falls.
I’m in Greenfield, MA
The Cummington Fair in late August is fun for the whole family.
Arjuna
Greenfield, MA
Best summer fun – Look Park! So much to do; all in one place! Of course the Taste of Amherst was fun (and yummy) too!
Amanda Saklad
Belchertown, MA
Look Park
Look Park is always one of our favorite places to go for a picnic, some water fun, and of course a ride on the train!!
Mellow day and picnic at lake wyola or laurel lake. Hiking up Mt. Toby. Or a drive and hike to lake pisgah in new Hampshire, picking wild blueberries while swimming!
Siri Om Fuller, Leverett
Free performances and Family Day at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket!! Bring a picnic! http://www.jacobspillow.org/festival/overview/insideout/index.php
Deanna Scarfe, West Chesterfield, MA
Frog hunting with my kids!
We also love to visit a swimming pool in Williamstown, Ma called Springs which uses fresh water from local springs to fill its pools.
Look Park is also a favorite with its train rides and splash area.
We love all the different swimming holes in the area! We try to hit up a bunch of different ones all summer long. Some are well known (Puffer’s Pond in Amherst) and other’s are local secrets ;)
Avital Norman Nathman
Northampton, MA
http://northfielddrivein.com/
Drive–in movies are always fun!
South Hadley, MA
Enjoying good, local food at good, local restaurants outdoors when the air is warm and the breeze is gentle makes the living easy in summertime. Fortunately for all of us, there is an abundance of all of these in summer in western Mass. My favorites include the Lady Killigrew at the Bookmill in Montague, Ristorante DiPaolo in Turners Falls, and Mama Iguana’s in Northampton. We’re also fortunate to live amidst a number of local “creamies” and “frosties.” We’re big fans of the 5Js in South Deerfield (which also has super-sweet pick-your-own strawberries), and the Sugarloaf Frostie in Sunderland when it’s a hot-enough-for-ice-cream evening.
Sunderland, MA
Sugarloaf at sunset.
Our absolute favorite thing to do is visit our local CSA- Natural Roots in Conway- or as my son likes to call it, “the food farm.”
Blueberry picking is a “have to” summer activity in Western MA- we love Bird Haven in Southampton. Also, The Wagon Wheel in Gill is a great local drive-in. If you’re looking for a fun ice cream experience and a scenic country drive, this is a good stop on Rt. 2.
Mount sugarloaf for a picnic and the view!
West Stockbridge Zucchini Festival. http://www.weststockbridgetown.com/events.html
Marya LaRoche
Cheshire, MA
Oh, the local swimming holes! Fav’s are Chesterfield Gorge, Plainfield Pond and waterfalls in Montague.
Anneliese Mordhorst
Chesterfield, MA
Pick your own farms. Strawberries, blueberries, anything and everything!! There are so many great farms to choose from in our rich valley.
Samantha Burnell
Williamsburg, MA
Berry picking with picnic
We love going to the Meekins library. They have great books/videos and free museum passes. Helene Leue, Ashfield, Ma.
Please ignore last post, so sorry!
The kids music scene is great.
Jessica Morris, Northampton MA
The kids music scene is great here.
We enjoy walks through Arcadia.
Berry picking at Summit Farm in Plainfield.
Dave Cahn
Cummington, MA
Oops I forgot my town…..South Hadley, MA
The Summit House is always a great spot for a hike and picnic during the summer. The views are spectacular.
The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum http://www.sftm.org/ is a local gem. You can ride the trolley all day long and try out the pump car!
We enjoy the Cummington Fair http://www.cummingtonfair.com/ Aug. 23-26th
We really enjoyed the Mutton and Mead Festival last year and are looking forward to returning this year. It’s held in Montague on June 23 and 24.
Jessica Larkin
Bernardston, MA