Five classic New England festivals that exemplify what being a New Englander is all about are; The Big E, The River Rat Race, The Garlic and Arts Festival, the Topsfield Fair and the Cheshire Fair and five of the top ones that this author has attended at various stages of youth and of course later on in years! The Big E is located in West Springfield and is certainly the "grand-daddy" of them all. This fair/festival runs during the month of September for nine days. During this event there are old time happenings such as oxen pulls, thrills and chills of daredevil stunt car racers and nationally known musical acts on center stage. The fair boasts six state buildings that feature items from the six New England states.. Enjoy the clam chowder in the Rhode Island house or a bit of lobster from our friends in Maine! Definately a crowd pleaser.
Although off the beaten path directly into Athol, Massachusetts is the annual River Rat Race where more than 300 canoes annually trek down the might Millers River to the next town over Orange, Massachusetts to see who will be the victor! This event occurs during the month of April in the "Tool Town" of Athol, Massachusetts located about 80 miles East of Boston. This event starts off with a parade in the morning and of course the annual Pancake Breakfast at the town hall sponsored by the good folks from the Athol Hospital Auxillary. The race kicks off at 1pm which can be best decscribed as a mass chaotic lemans style starting at the firing of a canon! This tradition has been on going for 46 years. You can get a great sausage grinder or a hamburger along the line of street vendors.
Boy that stinks! Yes it certainly does but the annual Arts and Garlic Festival in Orange, Massachusetts will tickle the fancy or at least the nose of garlic eaters or herb lovers ffrom miles around! This festival is a two day event held in the fall that brings forth an enomormous amount of garlic, herbs and crafts to offer a unique olde time new England festival. The two days are packed with family fun and games from the past as well as musical entertainment and artists galore. The mainstay of the weekend of course is the garlic. Featuring items such as garlic bagels all the way across the spectrum of foods to garlic ice cream. One would figure that to be a gross exageration but in reality is a great flavored use of an American favorite dessert. This festival is held on an old New England farm and the fields are beautiful and full of green grass.
To even off these festival are two classic fairs the Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, Massachsuetts and the Cheshire Fair in East Swanzey, New hampshire are two "back in the younger days" fair for many. These fairs are held in high regards as family oriented events in New England. Both fairs are held towards the fall and are jam packed with fun for all ages and families. The Tospfield Fair is famous for its food vendor areas including what this author can remember back from his youth is baked potatoes and all of the fixings. The Cheshire Fair had great food, food and fun and a large carnival style ride area. All of the five mentioned New England festivals are unique, and relatively fair priced and great events to get away.