by Michael Totten

Created on: November 26, 2011   Last Updated: November 27, 2011

Most events in Franklin County are like echoes from another time. This largely rural region abounds in local fall fairs, livestock exhibitions, quilt shows, and small town celebrations. On a more contemporary note, activities range from noisy demolition derbies to a peaceful music and balloon festival. This is just a very small sampling of the hundreds of events which run in Franklin County every year.

Green River Music & Balloon Festival

This weekend of music and balloons features a lineup of some of the best country singers around. In fact, there is so much entertainment jampacked into this weekend event that it requires 3 stages to hold it all: a main stage for headline performers, a dance tent, and a special Meltdown Kid's Stage for the children, who are admitted free if they are 12 or under. There are also craft booths, as well as plenty of food.

Balloons take off on Saturday and Sunday evening and also on Sunday morning. Balloon rides should be booked well before then, because they fill up quickly. There is also a balloon glow on Saturday evening, backed by country music and dancing.

The Green River Music & Balloon Festival takes place on the grounds of the Greenfield Community College. It is held on the second full weekend of July. The schedule of performers is usually available around mid-April. No pets or alcohol are allowed on site.

Greenfield Farmers' Market

This farmers' market can be found at Court Square in downtown Greenfield, or indoors at Second Congregational Church during the winter. It has 2 seasons.

Its regular season runs every Saturday morning, 8 am to 12:30 pm, from the first weekend after Easter until the last weekend before Thanksgiving. Both organic and conventional locally-grown produce are available, as well as handmade crafts ranging from hand-crafted jewelry to herbal ointments and salves all the way to handmade portable chicken coops. Many weekends also feature special events, so check the event calendar for up-to-date information.

A special winter market starts on the first weekend in December. This market specializes in traditional winter fare, such as root vegetables, cooking greens, apples and apple cider, cheeses, meats, and winter squash, but you can also find specialty goods such as maple syrup and preserves of all kinds. This market is held on the first Saturday of each month until March, 10 am to 1 pm.

Gateway to Christmas

The weekend after Thanksgiving is packed with Christmas-themed events throughout the county. Greenfield opens this special weekend with an 8 am pancake breakfast at Second Congregational Church, followed by a Christmas wreath sale at Holy Trinity Church. Children's activities start at 10 am as part of the Home for the Holidays celebration. Santa arrives at noon, followed by caroling with the Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus and the lighting of the town tree.

At Deerfield, locals look forward to the Sugar Plum Fair and Annual Craft Fair on Main Street. Booths open at 9 am. In addition to the crafts and ornaments, baked goods and all manner of jams, jellies, and fudge will be available for purchase, with plenty of free coffee on the side. Local raffles benefit the Deerfield Police Relief Association Scholarship Fund.

Other small towns in the region hold their own local concerts and other Christmas-themed events on the same weekend, such as the Red Sleigh Bazaar in Conway. For details, check the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce webpage.

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