If you've never been to the Northampton Sidewalk Sales - run, don't walk! They started today, July 28th, and run through Sunday, July 31st at 5 pm. Many store owners in Northampton are selling their wares at a major price reduction. There are also food vendors selling good things to eat. So, put on your hat, your sunblock and don't forget to hydrate. It's hot and humid out there!
In addition, the Daily Hampshire Gazette published the following article highlighting some fun events for the whole family still to come this summer! Read on here for that story.
FAMILY TO-DO LIST: Calendar-Worthy Events
Struttin’ their stuff
One of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States, the Morgan horse, originated with a colt named Figure, who was born in 1789 and acquired by Justin Morgan, a musician and horseman who lived in Springfield before moving to Vermont.
Morgans have served many roles in American history, being used as coach horses, for harness racing, as calvary horses and as general riding animals.
Underway this week and continuing through Saturday, the annual New England Morgan Horse Show at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton is the second largest Morgan horse show in the country. The show includes competitions in park saddle and park harness, English pleasure, Western pleasure, pleasure driving, hunter pleasure, dressage, carriage driving and more. Events begin at 10 a.m. each day and admission is free. nemha.com for details.
Choose a scoop
A benefit Saturday for Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (supports local farms) and MassBike Pioneer Valley (supports better biking), the River Valley Ice Cream Ride features three routes to suit every cycling appetite: the Kiddie Scoop Loop, five miles along the Canal Side Rail Trail in beautiful Turners Falls (ideal for young families); the Single Scoop Loop, 25 miles through the towns of Montague, Sunderland and Deerfield; and the Double Scoop Loop, a 50-mile ride through additional gorgeous scenery in Gill and Northfield.
All rides begin at Unity Park in Turners Falls, where a truck from Bart’s Homemade will be scooping ice cream and chef Tom Easton from Historic Catering will be preparing lunch.
Big rigs
Fire trucks, police cars, utility trucks, ambulances — they’ll all be on view at the annual Big Rig Day Aug. 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at South Hadley’s Buttery Brook Park. All are welcome to climb into the cabs, ride the aerial ladder and meet the people who operate these huge vehicles. The free, kid-friendly event is co-sponsored by Friends of Buttery Brook Park and the South Hadley Electric Department. butterybrookpark.org.
Back in time
Not so long ago, most New England towns had a poor farm, a county- or town-run residence where paupers — mainly elderly and disabled people — were supported at public expense. On Aug. 6, Leslie Bracebridge, chair of the Shutesbury Historical Commission, will lead an informative tour of the cellar-hole remains of Shutesbury’s poor farm. Sponsored by the Pelham Historical Society, the hike will begin at 1 p.m. at the Pelham Town Complex, corner of Route 202 and Amherst Road, and will be about 45 minutes each way. Bracebridge will supply an oral history and photographs on site.
American fest
Also on Aug. 6: The Third Annual Pocumtuck Homelands Festival returns to the waterfront at Unity Park on 1st Street in Turners Falls.
Running 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the annual free celebration of Native American culture features Native American artists, musicians, vendors and educators.
This year look for Penobscot hoop dancers, spiritual teachings by Native American elders, primitive skills demonstrations, Native American history presentations and children's crafts ($2 fee) and storytelling. More information is available at nolumbekaproject.blogspot.com.
— DAN DENICOLA
Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 26, 2016